These Paleo Pomegranate Palomas are the perfect cocktail (or mocktail) to serve this holiday season! They are made with 100% agave tequila, fresh lime juice, pomegranate juice, and grapefruit seltzer. Refined sugar free, gluten free, paleo, and delicious!

grapefruit cocktail with pomegranate

These Paleo Pomegranate Palomas are not only fun to say (hello, alliteration!), but super fun to make! The combination of pomegranate juice plus tequila, lime, and grapefruit sparkling water is so refreshing. You can use store-bought simple syrup or homemade honey simple syrup, or use no sweetener at all! Garnish them with some rosemary and you have the perfect festive-looking cocktail.

What Is a Paloma?

The paloma is a tequila-based cocktail. This drink is most commonly prepared by mixing tequila, lime juice, and a grapefruit-flavored soda and served on the rocks with a lime wedge. Adding salt to the rim of the glass is also an option. I’ve chosen to use grapefruit flavored soda water vs actual soda to keep these lighter! You can also add in fresh grapefruit juice if you prefer.

pomegranate tequila cocktail

What You Need to Make These Paleo Pomegranate Palomas

Regular margaritas and mixes can contain gluten, tons of sugar, additives, and other stuff to leave you with a nasty headache the next morning. However, not these!

  • Tequila: I prefer to use tequila that says “100% agave” on the bottle – this means that no additives, fillers, sugar, or other junk have been added! My favorites are 1800 and Patron. I prefer blanco tequila over darker colored ones because it has a lighter taste and goes well with margaritas. Darker tequilas have typically been aged longer and are better for sipping on the rocks!
  • Honey – I sometimes use agave syrup as the sweetener in this recipe, but some will argue that agave nectar is not actually paleo. So, for the purposes of this paleo post, I am going to use honey simply syrup which is actually very SIMPLE to make! (no pun intended). It’s literally just equal parts honey and warm water, stirred until the honey is dissolved. You can make more than you need for this recipe and store it in the fridge so you always have some on hand.
  • Pomegranate juice – I like the POM brand and usually find it near the kombucha in my local grocery store.
  • Limes – You will need 1 lime per cocktail.
  • Grapefruit flavored seltzer – I used grapefruit Topo Chico (it’s SO good) but any brand will work! You can also add 1 tbsp fresh grapefruit juice if you prefer.
  • Pomegranate arils, rosemary, and salt for garnish

holiday Paloma

How to Make These Paleo Pomegranate Palomas

First, pour some salt on a plate. Use a lime to wet the rim of your glass and dip it in salt.

Add the tequila, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and simple syrup to your shaker with some ice. Shake well. Pour into your glass. Top with some grapefruit sparkling water and stir. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a sprig of rosemary.

Enjoy!

This is the shaker that I have!

The recipe below is for one margarita. You can x it by 4 or 6 to make a pitcher!

Can I Make These Into a Mocktail?

Yes, you sure can! Just follow the directions below and omit the tequila. Add more grapefruit sparkling water instead.

pomegranate paloma

If you try these cocktails, be sure to tag me on Instagram @maryswholelife so I can see your creations!

Looking for some other cocktail recipes? Check these out!

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Paleo Jalapeno Margaritas

Paleo Thanksgiving Margarita

Cheers!

xo,
Mary

Paleo Pomegranate Paloma

These Paleo Pomegranate Palomas are the perfect cocktail (or mocktail) to serve this holiday season! They are made with 100% agave tequila, fresh lime juice, pomegranate juice, and grapefruit seltzer. Refined sugar free, gluten free, paleo, and delicious!
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Ingredients

1 Paloma

  • 2 oz 100% agave tequila
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 oz pomegranate juice
  • ½ oz honey simple syrup, or regular simple syrup
  • grapefruit sparkling water to fill cup, I like Topo Chico, La Croix, or Spindrift
  • Pomegranate arils, for garnish
  • Rosemary sprig, for garnish
  • sea salt, for rim

A Pitcher of Palomas (4 cocktails)

  • 1 cup 100% agave tequila
  • 4 limes juiced
  • ½ cup pomegranate juice
  • 2 oz honey simple syrup
  • 1 cup grapefruit sparkling water

Instructions
 

1 Paloma

  • Add some salt to a plate. Wet the rim of your glass using a slice of lime. Dip the glass in the salt to coat the rim.
  • Add the tequila, lime juice, pomegranate juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake well. Add ice to your glass, then pour the mixture over top of the ice. Top it off with grapefruit sparkling water, then stir.
  • Garnish with pomegranate arils and a sprig of rosemary.

Honey Simple Syrup

  • To make honey syrup, combine equal parts honey and hot water. Stir. Measure out the amount you need, then save extra in the fridge to use for future cocktails. It will stay good for up to 2 weeks.

Pitcher of Palomas

  • Combine the ingredients in a pitcher, add ice, and stir. Serve in individual salted glasses with pomegranate arils and a sprig of rosemary.

Notes

You can also use 1 tbsp fresh squeezed grapefruit juice in place of the grapefruit sparkling water. 

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 13mg, Potassium: 139mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 34IU, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 1mg