Look, I know it sounds ridiculous to get picky about soda. But here’s the thing: a Paloma is basically tequila, grapefruit soda, lime, and salt. That’s it. Which means your mixer choice isn’t a supporting actor it’s a co-star. Get it wrong and you end up with “tequila plus vaguely grapefruit vibes.” Get it right and you’ve got one of the most refreshing cocktails on the planet.

So yes, I’ve opinions about bubbles. Let’s get into it.

What Actually Matters in a Paloma Mixer

Before you grab whatever’s on sale, here’s what I look for:

Sweetener type: Cane sugar tastes cleaner than high fructose corn syrup. HFCS has this lingering sweetness that makes each sip heavier than the last like a sweater you regret putting on after ten minutes.

Sweetness level: Too sweet buries your tequila. Too dry tastes thin. If your soda runs sweet, add more lime and salt. If it’s dry, a tiny bit of simple syrup fixes it.

Grapefruit character: Some sodas taste like actual grapefruit bitter, aromatic, slightly pithy. Others taste like pink grapefruit candy. Neither is wrong! Candy leaning makes crowd pleasing Palomas. Bitter ones suit people who actually enjoy eating grapefruit (a brave demographic, and I respect you).

Carbonation: You want small bubbles that last over ice. Glass bottles typically stay fizzier than plastic. Craft mixers are designed to survive dilution.

Your tequila is doing its job. Make sure the soda does too.

Quick Picks If You’re in a Hurry

For that classic Mexican cantina vibe: Jarritos Toronja

For balanced sweetness most people enjoy: Mexican Squirt (NOT American Squirt more on that drama below)

For craft cocktail style: Fever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit or Q Mixers

For sugar free that doesn’t taste sad: Fresca, ideally the Mexican version

Throwing a party? Mexican Squirt or Jarritos. Affordable, crowd pleasing, and one 12 oz bottle makes about two drinks.

Making drinks one at a time with the good tequila? Fever-Tree or Q Mixers. This is your “main character bartender” moment.

Now let’s dig into the actual bottles.

The Brands, Reviewed by Someone Who Has Tried Too Many

Jarritos Toronja: The Sweet Crowd Pleaser

Jarritos is often the go to for traditional Palomas, and honestly? It earns that spot. Cane sugar, strong grapefruit flavor, sweet but tart enough to avoid feeling flat. Add lime, add salt, done.

One note: it pairs best with reposado. It can bulldoze a delicate blanco if you pour heavy (your blanco will be like, “hello?? I’m here too”).

This is the bottle that says, “Relax, I’ve got this.”

Mexican Squirt vs. American Squirt (Yes, This Matters)

Okay, this trips people up constantly. Mexican Squirt and American Squirt taste completely different.

Mexican Squirt uses cane sugar brighter, cleaner. American Squirt uses HFCS and leaves a syrupy tail. Many bars that actually care about Palomas specifically stock the Mexican version.

How to tell them apart: Look for glass bottles with Spanish labeling. Plastic bottles with English labels are almost always the US formula. Some stores carry both in the international aisle, and yes, it’s mildly rude that they look so similar.

Mexican Squirt makes a lighter, more sessionable Paloma than Jarritos. Less grapefruit punch, more easygoing. This is your “I want another one, not a nap” pick.

Fresca: The Zero Sugar Contender

I know, I know diet soda. But Fresca actually works surprisingly well. The grapefruit comes across tart and bright rather than fake sweet. It makes a noticeably lighter drink that doesn’t taste like a sad substitute (and honestly, that’s all I’m asking from zero sugar anything).

The Mexican version tastes slightly more layered, but either works. Fresca Palomas benefit from fresh lime and sometimes a small splash of agave nectar to add body.

Do not skip the salt rim. I will find out. And judge.

Fever-Tree and Q Mixers: The Fancy Bottles

These run $5-7 per small bottle versus $1-2 for Jarritos. It’s like the difference between a basic T shirt and one that somehow costs more because it “drapes.”

Fever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit is the easiest to find. Drier than classic sodas, real grapefruit bitterness, carbonation that actually sticks around. The result tastes more like a proper cocktail than tequila plus soda.

Q Mixers Sparkling Grapefruit runs sharper with more acid and intensity. Built to let your tequila remain the star (as it should be).

Use these for special occasions, expensive tequila, or when you prefer drier drinks and want to understand how Palomas differ from Margaritas.

San Pellegrino Pompelmo: The Bitter One

Pompelmo is really its own animal. It drinks like an Italian aperitivo that bitter edge Italians love. Creates a Paloma that’s complex rather than breezy.

Some people adore it. Others find it too bitter or just not “Paloma like.” (I can tell which camp you’re in after one sip, no lying to yourself.)

Not everyone wants their soda to have opinions. This one does.

Ting: The Bright Jamaican Wildcard

This one deserves way more Paloma attention. Made with real grapefruit juice, it tastes tart and citrusy more “fruit” character and less “soda” feel. Find it in Caribbean markets or international aisles.

Sunshine in a bottle, without the cupcake frosting sweetness.

Where to Find These

Standard grocery stores carry Squirt and Fresca check both the soda aisle and international section. Fever-Tree shows up at nicer grocers and most liquor stores.

Mexican markets are your best bet for Mexican Squirt in glass bottles, Jarritos, and sometimes Peñafiel. Prices typically beat big chains, and you might “accidentally” leave with excellent snacks. (Ask me how I know.)

Online works for craft mixers if local options fall short, though shipping makes cheap soda a poor value.

The Actual Recipe

Okay, here’s where you stop reading and start sipping.

• 2 oz tequila blanco or reposado
• 4-5 oz grapefruit soda of your choice
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice (please, fresh your drink deserves that much)
• Pinch of salt
• Lime wheel for garnish

Build over ice in a salt rimmed highball glass. Stir gently. Adjust soda volume to taste sweet sodas usually need less, drier ones can handle more.

The Fresh Juice Upgrade

A lot of cocktail bars skip bottled soda entirely: fresh grapefruit juice plus sparkling water plus a little simple syrup. This gives you total control and can taste incredibly fresh. The tradeoff is time and consistency, since grapefruit varies by season.

For casual hangs, soda is easier. For impressing someone, fresh juice or a mezcal kissed Paloma variation shows effort (and says, “yes, I own a cutting board”).

Good middle ground: Use grapefruit soda for most of the top up, then add about an ounce of fresh grapefruit juice. Convenience plus brightness.

Go Find Your Paloma Match

The right soda genuinely transforms a basic Paloma into something you’ll crave. Pick up two or three different options, make side by side drinks with identical tequila and lime, and let your palate decide. Pay attention to how each one plays with your preferred tequila style.

Your Paloma is only as good as its bubbles.

Now go pop a bottle and make your tequila feel fabulous.