MSG Free Classic Cucumber Paloma

Total time30 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.6

(27)

This cucumber paloma is the kind of drink that makes a regular Tuesday feel like a rooftop happy hour. The combination of fresh grapefruit juice, bright lime, and a homemade cucumber simple syrup creates something layered and refreshing — floral, a little tart, and just sweet enough. Every ingredient here is whole and straightforward, which means you know exactly what's going into your glass without any hidden additives or flavor enhancers to worry about. The cucumber syrup is genuinely worth the extra few minutes — steeping the slices until the liquid turns pale green and fragrant is a small step that makes a big difference. A salted rim and a splash of sparkling water finish things off with the kind of fizzy, savory contrast that makes a paloma so satisfying in the first place. It's an easy cocktail to batch for a crowd or shake up solo, and the garnish of fresh cucumber and grapefruit wedges makes it look far more impressive than the effort involved.

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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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