Want a grapefruit drink with a little heat? This one-glass, zero-proof Paloma combines muddled jalapeño, agave and water with fresh grapefruit and lime. Allow five minutes for the standard version; the optional hotter version requires an infusion of at least 15 minutes. For an alcoholic tequila option with cranberry and winter spice, see the spiced cranberry Paloma .

Ingredients

  • 1/4 jalapeño
  • 1/2 tablespoon agave syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons water
  • Juice from 1/2 red or pink grapefruit (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup sparkling water or grapefruit sparkling water, to top
  • Ice
  • 1 grapefruit wedge, for serving
  • Optional rim: a few tablespoons sea salt, kosher salt, or Tajín seasoning, plus zest of 1/2 grapefruit

Method

  1. Chop the jalapeño. Leave more seeds and pith for a hotter drink or remove them for a milder one.
  2. Add the jalapeño, agave syrup, and water to a cocktail shaker or sturdy glass. Gently muddle with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon. For more heat, let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes.
  3. Add the grapefruit and lime juices.
  4. Fill a glass with ice and pour in the juice and jalapeño mixture. Top with 1/3 to 1/2 cup sparkling water or grapefruit sparkling water.
  5. Serve with the grapefruit wedge.

Adjust the Heat

For less spice, skip the jalapeño or remove its seeds and pith before muddling. To make it hotter, leave more of them in and let the muddled mixture sit for at least 15 minutes.

Grapefruit sparkling water can replace plain sparkling water. For a batch, multiply the muddled pepper, agave, water, and citrus mixture, divide among glasses, and top each with soda just before serving. For an optional rim, stir the zest of half the grapefruit into a few tablespoons of sea salt, kosher salt, or Tajín; moisten the glass with the grapefruit wedge and tap off excess. The mixture is enough for several drinks; keep any remainder in a zip-top bag for up to two days.

Red grapefruit, lime, sliced jalapeño and a bowl of salt
Ingredient illustration. The recipe uses fresh grapefruit and lime with muddled jalapeño; the salted rim is optional.
Two iced grapefruit mocktails beside grapefruit wedges and sliced jalapeño
Serving illustration of two drinks. The measured recipe makes one; follow the batching method above for more.

The images illustrate ingredients and serving ideas. They’re not photographs of a kitchen test of this formula.