White Wine Paloma: The Grapefruit Spritz You’ll Make All Summer

The classic Paloma has always leaned on tequila for its backbone, but this version swaps that out for a crisp, chilled white wine and keeps every bit of the grapefruit sparkle you love. It’s tart, it’s bubbly, and it’s the kind of drink that disappears fast once your friends get a taste. You only need a handful of ingredients, most of which are probably already in your fridge. Whether you’re hosting a backyard dinner or just want something refreshing on a Tuesday night, the White Wine Paloma delivers.

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Why This White Wine Paloma Belongs on Your Party Menu

Wine-based cocktails have a way of feeling both easygoing and a little bit fancy at the same time, and this one is no exception. Because it’s built on wine instead of hard liquor, it’s lighter on the palate and easier to sip through an entire afternoon without anyone feeling wiped out by round two.

It’s also one of those drinks that looks far more impressive than the effort it takes. A salted rim and a wedge of grapefruit make it look like something you’d order at a rooftop bar, but it comes together in under five minutes with ingredients from the grocery store.

Guests tend to remember this one. The grapefruit soda gives it a nostalgic, almost Jarritos-on-a-summer-day quality, while the wine adds just enough structure to keep it from tasting like a soda pop.

The ingredient list is refreshingly short, and there’s plenty of room to customize it with what you already have on hand.

Everything You’ll Need

• 4 oz dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz agave syrup
• 2 oz grapefruit soda, to top
• Tajín or coarse salt, for the rim
• Ice
• Grapefruit slice, for garnish

Bottle Picks & Easy Swaps

A dry, acidic white wine is what makes this drink work, so reach for something like a Sauvignon Blanc, a dry Pinot Grigio, or an unoaked Chardonnay. You want the wine’s natural citrus notes to play well with the grapefruit rather than compete with it, so skip anything sweet or heavily oaked.

No fresh grapefruit on hand? Bottled 100% grapefruit juice works fine in a pinch, though fresh-squeezed will always taste brighter. For a lower-alcohol version, look for a de-alcoholized white wine, and for a fully non-alcoholic take, swap the wine for white grape juice cut with a splash of extra soda water to keep the fizz.

Bar Tools You’ll Want

You don’t need much to make this one properly, but a few basics make the process a lot smoother:

• A cocktail shaker, for the ones you build in batches
• A jigger, so your ratios stay balanced every time
• A citrus juicer or muddler, to get the most out of your grapefruit and lime

If your bar cart is missing any of these, this 6-piece stainless steel cocktail shaker set covers the shaker, strainer, muddler, jigger, mixing spoon, and pour spout in one kit, which makes it an easy one-and-done pickup. If you’d rather buy pieces individually, this jigger keeps your pours consistent, and this muddler is handy for pressing extra juice out of citrus wedges before you pour.

Once everything is prepped, this cocktail comes together in just a few minutes.

Let’s Mix It Up

1. Rim the glass: Run a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip it in Tajín or salt.
2. Fill with ice: Add ice to the glass, filling it most of the way.
3. Combine the base: In a shaker, combine the white wine, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave syrup with ice.
4. Shake and strain: Shake for about 10 seconds and strain into the prepared glass.
5. Top and garnish: Top with grapefruit soda, give it a gentle stir, and garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Host’s Tips for the Best White Wine Paloma

Chill your wine and grapefruit soda ahead of time so the drink doesn’t get watered down by extra ice. Use big cubes if you can, since they melt slower and keep the drink cold without diluting it.

For a crowd, pre-batch the wine, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave in a pitcher and keep it in the fridge, then add the soda and ice to each glass right before serving so it stays fizzy.

Don’t skip the salted rim. It sounds like a small detail, but it plays against the tart grapefruit in a way that makes the whole drink taste more balanced.

Easy Ways to Make It Your Own

Swap the grapefruit soda for a jalapeño-infused version if you want some heat at the finish. A rosé instead of white wine turns this into a prettier, slightly fruitier drink that’s perfect for a bridal shower or brunch table.

For a mocktail version, skip the wine entirely and replace it with white grape juice or a non-alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc alternative, keeping everything else the same. For something stronger, add a half ounce of blanco tequila alongside the wine for a hybrid that leans closer to the original Paloma.

Perfect Occasions & What to Serve Alongside

This drink shines at backyard barbecues, taco nights, and any brunch where you want something lighter than a full-strength cocktail. It also makes a great addition to a self-serve drink station at a bridal or baby shower.

On the food side, it pairs especially well with grilled shrimp tacos, a simple citrus salad, or salty chips and guacamole. The acidity in the drink cuts through rich or fried foods nicely, so it’s a good match for anything off the grill.

Make-Ahead & Serving Notes

The wine, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave mixture can be combined and refrigerated up to a day ahead, which makes this an easy one for parties. Just hold off on the soda and ice until you’re ready to pour, since adding those too early flattens the fizz and waters everything down.

If you’re serving a crowd, set up a small station with the pre-mixed base, a bottle of chilled grapefruit soda, a bowl of ice, and a plate of salt or Tajín so guests can rim their own glasses.

Still have a question? Here are a few of the most common ones readers ask before making this cocktail.

FAQs

What does a White Wine Paloma taste like?

It’s tart, citrusy, and lightly sweet, with the grapefruit soda giving it a fizzy, slightly floral finish. The wine adds a dry backbone that keeps it from tasting like straight soda.

Can I make a White Wine Paloma without alcohol?

Yes. Replace the wine with white grape juice or a non-alcoholic white wine and keep the rest of the recipe the same. It still gets that grapefruit fizz and salted rim you’re after.

What’s the best white wine to use?

A dry, unoaked white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works best. Their natural acidity complements the grapefruit instead of getting lost under it.

Can I batch this for a party?

Yes, mix the wine, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave ahead of time and refrigerate. Add the soda and ice per glass right before serving so the drink stays bubbly.

Do I have to use grapefruit soda, or can I use soda water instead?

Soda water works if you want a lighter, less sweet drink, though you’ll lose some of the classic Paloma flavor. If you go that route, add a touch more agave to keep the balance right.

How strong is a White Wine Paloma compared to a regular Paloma?

It’s noticeably lighter, since wine has a lower alcohol content than tequila. That makes it an easier sipper for daytime events or longer gatherings.

More Cocktails Worth Mixing

More cocktails worth mixing:

• Grapefruit Wine Spritz
• White Wine and Ginger Fizz
• White Wine Old Fashioned
• White Wine Spritzer with Rosemary
• Pineapple Wine Cooler
• White Wine Slushie