Basil Paloma

By Rosie Schaap

Published April 30, 2014

  • Jenny Woodward
Media 1 of 2
Rating
5(91)
Comments
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As with most highballs, there’s no harm done in playing with garnishes and aromatics. I love the way basil interacts with grapefruit (I often chiffonade a few leaves to festoon a broiled grapefruit half at breakfast), so I’ve found that muddling a segment of the fruit with a few bright, fresh basil leaves is a good foundation for a Paloma. And as with the margarita, you may opt for salt on the rim of your glass — or not.

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

  • 2 basil leaves

  • 1 grapefruit segment

  • 2 ounces silver tequila

  • Juice of ½ lime

  • ½ ounce simple syrup

  • 3 ounces grapefruit juice

  • Soda water

  • Lime wedge, for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put 2 basil leaves and 1 grapefruit segment in a highball glass and muddle gently. Add 2 ounces silver tequila, juice of ½ lime, and ½ ounce simple syrup. Stir gently. Add ice, 3 ounces grapefruit juice and soda to top. Stir gently again. Garnish with a lime wedge.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
91 user ratings
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Comments

Carey Larsen

This is our favorite summer cocktail. Sometimes substitute mint for basil - depending upon what is in the garden.

Abby

Oh my god, this was SO good. Will be making this again and again. Didn’t really have to adjust anything, perfect and easy spring/summer cocktail.

Jasmine

This was my favorite summertime drink in 2025. I would mix the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup and grapefruit juice in quantities of about six times the recipe in a large measuring cup, and I’d add in several bruised/hand torn basil leaves to steap like tea. Then as I would sip one down on a hot afternoon, I could top off my glass with the premixed cocktail and a splash of bubbly water. It’s truly the perfect summertime beverage.

Abby

Oh my god, this was SO good. Will be making this again and again. Didn’t really have to adjust anything, perfect and easy spring/summer cocktail.

Carey Larsen

This is our favorite summer cocktail. Sometimes substitute mint for basil - depending upon what is in the garden.

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