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Meet the Sunset Citrus Paloma, your new go-to for a twist on the classic Paloma.
Picture this: the sun’s starting to dip low, casting that golden light that makes everything feel softer. Music’s playing low in the background, the air’s still warm, and you’ve got a glass in your hand that looks like it was made for this exact moment.
That’s the Sunset Citrus Paloma.
It’s a cocktail designed to glow. It’s bright with citrus, kissed with floral sweetness, and topped with a fizzy finish that sparkles like the last light of day.
It takes everything you love about a classic Paloma and infuses it with a little extra charm: juicy raspberry, elegant Lillet, and just the right amount of unexpected.
It begins with crisp blanco tequila. This gives it the kind of base that doesn’t compete, but instead lets the rest of the ingredients shine. Grapefruit juice brings in that signature Paloma tang, sharp and citrusy with just enough natural sweetness to keep things in balance.
But here’s where it gets interesting: a pour of Lillet Blanc, a floral French aperitif that slips in like a secret.
With soft honeyed notes and a hint of botanicals, it gives the drink a little more elegance and offers something you taste more with each sip than right away.
Instead of basic simple syrup, agave nectar offers a smoother, more natural sweetness that blends effortlessly with the tequila.
A splash of raspberry syrup adds color and depth, giving the cocktail a soft, berry brightness that balances the grapefruit without overpowering it.
Shake it all over ice, strain into a chilled stemmed glass, and top with a float of grapefruit soda. That effervescence brings the whole drink to life—bubbly, zesty, and just the right amount of playful.
Slide a thin slice of grapefruit into the glass for that final flourish, and watch the colors swirl into something that looks exactly like its name. Soft pinks, glowing golds, and a little cloud of fizz on top.
Step 1: Pour all ingredients aside from the grapefruit soda in a cocktail shaker topped with ice. Shake until chilled.
Step 2: Strain the mixture into a stem glass over fresh ice.
Step 3: Top it off with grapefruit soda and garnish.
The Sunset Citrus Paloma pays homage to the original Paloma but with a few tweaks you get an entirely new cocktail experience. Beautiful and refreshing, this is a cocktail you’ll want in hand this weekend!
Post your creation on Instagram and tag #queenbeemixology or @queenbeemixology!
