Healthy Blood Orange Paloma {Refined Sugar-free}

It’s time for a fiesta! And every fiesta needs a signature drink.

We all know and love margaritas, but why is the lovely Paloma not present more often? If you live in or near Mexico you are likely very familiar with this one, but it is seriously underrated in other parts.

When I see it on a menu I always order it. Why do you ask? Because it is very similar to its Margarita cousin, yet is missing the sour mix (gross) or tons of lime juice, and instead includes grapefruit.

Grapefruit is both tart and slightly bitter, which adds incredible flavor to food and drinks, yet manages to be extremely refreshing. Plus from a nutritional perspective, the fruit is filled with phytonutrients and antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamin A and vitamin C. Many also use grapefruit to reduce cholesterol and even treat cancer.

The best part of grapefruit here is that it comes in the form of bubbles. Bubbles via sugar-free sparkling water. In other words, the best form of bubbles. Guilt free if you will. Sparkling anything instantly makes a drink better. Wouldn’t you agree?

Furthermore, a Paloma is something you can have more than one of without feeling like you burned your throat. Tell me you have been there with margaritas too. As much as I love lime juice, drinking a large glass of it means you feel it 2 days later. And don’t even get me started on sour mix.

Taking all this into consideration, how about a beverage that doesn’t leave you feeling terrible afterward? Instead of a sugar laden, overly sour, makes you automatically puffy drink, this light sugar-free variety is something you can sip on all afternoon.

To really top things off, we added blood orange juice to the already satisfying mix. We love the slightly sweet tang it adds. And that color? Cannot beat it.

Serve these at a Cinco de Mayo party, or really at any party. Because let’s be honest, a tart, bright, bubbly, refreshing beverage is always welcome.

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Blood Orange Paloma {Refined Sugar-free}

A light and healthier take on the Mexican classic Paloma. Filled with the traditional tequila, lime, and sugar-free grapefruit sparkling water, we also top ours with fresh blood orange juice for an extra pop of flavor.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 2 drinks

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 blood oranges juiced
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup optional
• 4 ounces tequila Reposado or Silver
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 can grapefruit sparkling or seltzer water such as Spindrift
• 1 lime cut into wedges

Instructions

 

• Fill two rocks glasses with ice.
• If using sweetener, stir into blood orange juice. Add 2 ounces blood orange juice, 2 ounces tequila, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt to each glass. Stir to combine, then top with grapefruit seltzer. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

Notes

*We aren't huge fans of a salt rim, and instead add it to the drink itself. If you prefer a salt rimmed glass, use one of your lime wedges to wet the edge of each glass, then dip in a salt-lined plate.
**This also makes a wonderful virgin mocktail, just leave out the tequila and sweeten to taste.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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