Gelatin Free Classic Cucumber Paloma

Total time30 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.6

(27)

Bright, citrusy, and just a little unexpected, this cucumber paloma is the kind of cocktail that makes a regular Tuesday feel like a rooftop happy hour. The star move here is a homemade cucumber simple syrup — sliced cucumber steeped right into warm sugar water until it turns pale green and lightly fragrant, then strained clean. That means every sip carries a cool, garden-fresh note that plays beautifully against the tartness of fresh grapefruit and lime juice. Gelatin and other animal-derived additives sometimes sneak into pre-made cocktail syrups and mixers, but since everything here is built from scratch with whole ingredients, there's nothing hidden to worry about. A salted rim adds a savory contrast that makes the citrus pop even harder, and a gentle pour of sparkling water at the end keeps the whole thing effervescent and lively. It's refreshing, elegant, and genuinely easy to pull off — the kind of drink guests will ask you to make again before they've even finished the first glass.

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Ingredients

2 servings

For the cucumber simple syrup

½ cup water
½ cup granulated sugar
½ medium cucumber, thinly sliced

For the salted rim

1 tbsp kosher salt
1 lime wedge, for rimming

For the cocktail

3 oz blanco tequila
¾ cup fresh grapefruit juice (from about 1 large grapefruit)
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
3 tbsp cucumber simple syrup (from above)
1 cup sparkling water
ice cubes

For serving

2–3 thin cucumber slices, for garnish (optional)
2 grapefruit wedges, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1
Make the cucumber simple syrup: combine the water, sugar, and sliced cucumber in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes, until the syrup is lightly fragrant and pale green.
2
Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a small jar or bowl, pressing the cucumber slices gently to extract their liquid. Discard the solids. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before using.

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