Nitrate & Nitrite Free Berry Paloma with Fresh Berries
This vibrant cocktail is everything a warm-weather drink should be — bright, bubbly, and bursting with real fruit flavor. A quick homemade berry syrup made from fresh or frozen mixed berries, sugar, and water does all the heavy lifting, giving you that gorgeous jewel-toned color and natural sweetness without any artificial additives or preservatives to worry about. Blanco tequila, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and a hit of lime keep things clean and citrusy, while a pinch of salt rounds out every sip in the best way. The whole thing gets topped with chilled sparkling water for that satisfying fizz, making it feel genuinely festive without any of the processed shortcuts. For anyone navigating concerns about cured or processed ingredients sneaking into their food and drinks, this recipe is refreshingly straightforward — every single component is whole, fresh, and easy to verify. Strained berry syrup, real citrus, and good tequila are all you need to pull off something that looks and tastes like it came from a serious cocktail bar.
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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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