Pecan 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 real star is the homemade cucumber simple syrup — sliced cucumber steeped in warm sugar water until the syrup turns pale green and subtly fragrant, adding a cool, garden-fresh note that store-bought mixes simply can't replicate. Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and lime juice keep everything tart and lively, while blanco tequila ties it all together with just enough bite. A salted rim adds that perfect savory contrast, and a splash of sparkling water poured gently down the side of the glass keeps every sip effervescent. The whole build is clean and straightforward — no obscure liqueurs, no nut-based syrups, just real ingredients you can feel good about. Whether you're mixing for a crowd or just treating yourself, this paloma delivers serious craft-cocktail energy with surprisingly little effort.

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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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