Cashew Free Berry Paloma with Fresh Berries
This vibrant cocktail is everything a warm-weather drink should be — tart, fruity, a little fizzy, and genuinely beautiful in the glass. A quick homemade berry syrup made from fresh or frozen mixed berries gives the whole thing a jewel-toned color and a natural sweetness that no store-bought mixer can replicate. Blanco tequila, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and a hit of lime bring that classic Paloma backbone, while the sparkling water keeps it light and effervescent right to the last sip. Every single ingredient here is straightforward and plant-based, so there's zero concern about sneaky nut-based additives that sometimes hide in flavored syrups or pre-mixed cocktail products. The technique is simple — simmer, strain, shake, pour — and the result looks like something you'd pay serious money for at a rooftop bar. Garnished with fresh berries and a citrus wedge, it's as stunning to look at as it is to drink. Make a double batch of that berry syrup on the weekend and you'll be set for the whole week.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the berry syrup
- ½ cup fresh or frozen mixed berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp water
For the cocktail
- 4 oz blanco tequila
- ¾ cup fresh grapefruit juice (from about 1 large grapefruit)
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
- ice cubes, as needed
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh berries, for garnish (optional)
- 2 grapefruit or lime wedges, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the berries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the berries break down and release their juices, about 4–5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- 2
Press the berry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a small bowl or jar, pressing firmly on the solids to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the solids. You should have about 3–4 tbsp of berry syrup.
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