Ace Paloma

5.0 from 1 vote

The Ace Paloma is one of those cocktails that instantly screams summer. It’s bright, refreshing, citrusy, and incredibly easy to make. Inspired by the cocktail created by Maestro Dobel Tequila for the U.S. Open, this drink combines tequila, fresh lime juice, sparkling grapefruit soda, and a black lava salt rim for an elevated twist on a classic Paloma.

I tried the Ace Paloma for the first time at the 2025 U.S. Open and immediately understood why it became so popular. After walking around the grounds in the summer heat, it was exactly what I wanted—cold, refreshing, and not overly sweet. As soon as I got home, I knew I wanted to recreate it while adding a few upgrades of my own.

My version keeps the original inspiration from Maestro Dobel while elevating the presentation with dehydrated citrus wheels, fresh citrus garnish, and black lava salt that makes this cocktail look just as impressive as it tastes.

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What is an Ace Paloma?

The Ace Paloma is the official cocktail created by Maestro Dobel for the U.S. Open. Named after the tennis term “ace,” the drink is a refreshing spin on the classic Paloma and has quickly become associated with summer tennis and warm-weather entertaining.

Like a traditional Paloma, it combines tequila and grapefruit flavors, but the simplicity of the drink is exactly what makes it so enjoyable. It’s light, crisp, and perfect for sipping on a hot day.

If you love margaritas but occasionally want something a little lighter and more refreshing, the Ace Paloma is an excellent alternative.

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Ingredient Breakdown

Tequila

Since this cocktail uses only a handful of ingredients, using a quality tequila makes a huge difference. A good blanco or cristalino tequila gives the drink clean agave notes that pair beautifully with the grapefruit.

Fresh Lime Juice

Fresh lime juice brightens the cocktail and balances the sweetness from the grapefruit soda. I found that ¾ ounce was the perfect amount.

Sparkling Grapefruit Soda

One of my biggest upgrades was using a premium sparkling grapefruit soda. The better carbonation and fresher citrus flavor really make this version stand out.

Black Lava Salt

This was my first time using black lava salt, and I absolutely loved it. Besides looking incredible against the pale pink drink, it adds a nice salty finish that pairs perfectly with tequila and citrus. I already know I’ll be using it in more tequila cocktails moving forward.

Agave Syrup

Agave pairs naturally with tequila since both come from the agave plant. I originally tried using lime juice for the rim, but the black lava salt kept falling off. Switching to agave syrup solved that problem immediately and helped everything stay in place.

Dehydrated Citrus Wheels

Adding dehydrated citrus wheels doesn’t dramatically change the flavor, but it completely transforms the presentation. They give the cocktail a much more elevated look and make it feel like something you’d order at an upscale cocktail bar.

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