High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Berry Paloma with Fresh Berries
This vibrant, fruit-forward cocktail is everything a warm-weather drink should be — bright, bubbly, and bursting with real berry flavor. The secret is a quick homemade syrup made by simmering fresh or frozen berries with just granulated sugar and water, then straining out the solids for a jewel-toned, intensely fruity base. That matters because most store-bought cocktail syrups and flavored mixers are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, making it genuinely hard to find a ready-made paloma that fits a cleaner ingredient list. Here, every drop of sweetness comes from real fruit and plain sugar — nothing more. Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and a hit of lime keep things tart and lively, while blanco tequila and a pinch of salt round out the flavor beautifully. A gentle pour of chilled sparkling water at the end keeps the bubbles intact, so every sip is as effervescent as the first. It's the kind of cocktail that looks like it came from a craft bar but comes together in your own kitchen with total confidence about what's in the glass.
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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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