Walnut Free Classic Cucumber Paloma

Total time30 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.6

(27)

Bright, citrusy, and refreshingly cool, this cucumber paloma is the kind of drink that makes any occasion feel like a warm-weather celebration. The star move here is a homemade cucumber simple syrup — just water, sugar, and fresh cucumber slices steeped together until the liquid turns lightly fragrant and a beautiful pale green. That syrup gets shaken with blanco tequila, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and a hit of lime, creating a cocktail that's tart, a little sweet, and genuinely layered in flavor. A salted rim adds just enough savory contrast to make every sip feel intentional. Topping it all off with sparkling water poured gently down the side of the glass keeps the carbonation alive so the drink stays lively right to the last drop. Every ingredient here is clean and straightforward — no nut-based liqueurs, flavored syrups with mystery additives, or garnishes that could introduce unwanted allergens. Whether you're mixing for a crowd or just treating yourself on a Tuesday, this one is easy to pull off and impossible not to love.

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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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