This paloma mocktail is full of tart grapefruit, zingy lime, a salted rim – zero tequila required! It’s ready in 5 minutes and a refreshing non alcoholic drink.
After years of developing cocktail and mocktail recipes, I’ve become a little obsessed with nailing the non-alcoholic versions of classic drinks. And by that, I mean not just glorified fruit juice: non alcoholic drinks worth making!
This paloma mocktail is so much fun and everything I love about a great mocktail: refreshing, delicious, and interestingly complex! It’s similar to my popular Virgin Margarita: which has a little flavor secret to make it pop. There are no non alcoholic spirits needed: just normal, delicious ingredients! Here’s how to make a virgin spin on the classic Paloma.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
5 minutes, no blender or cocktail shaker. Squeeze, stir, pour. That’s it!
Refreshing, complex flavor. The pickle brine and honey sound weird, but they make the best drink: I promise!
A perfect party drink. Make a big batch of the base and let guests top their own glass with bubbles.
What You’ll Need
A classic Paloma recipe, a Mexican cocktail that’s a cousin of the margarita, uses grapefruit soda and tequila. Here’s what I use for my Paloma mocktail recipe:
Fresh grapefruit juice: You want that fresh-squeezed flavor: about ½ to 2/3 of a grapefruit gets you what you need for this drink.
Fresh lime juice: The lime lifts the grapefruit and makes everything taste more tart.
Honey (or simple syrup): A very small amount balances the flavors: I like keeping this drink more sweet tart. I like using honey because it’s all natural but you can use simple syrup if you want. Maple syrup is usually my go-to but I didn’t want to make the drink too dark in color.
Pickle brine: I know, I know! It sounds weird. But I use this in my Virgin Margarita to add that tequila-like funk and it really works! It’s the way to make it feel like a cocktail without alcohol. If you don’t have it, you could try olive brine.
Tonic water: I reach for tonic water because it has a little quinine, which adds more flavor intrigue. Grapefruit soda also works for a sweeter drink! Here’s my Guide to Tonic Water for more info on bubbly options.
Flaky sea salt & tajÃn: I love adding TajÃn to the rim: it’s a Mexican seasoning blend of chili peppers, lime, and salt that adds a burst of tangy, spicy flavor.
How to Make a Paloma Mocktail
This comes together in minutes. Here’s the method (or jump to the recipe below):
Prep your glass. Cut a small notch in a grapefruit wedge and run the cut side along the rim of your glass — or along the side (see the photos). Dip the rim into a small plate of flaky sea salt and tajÃn to coat.
Mix the base. Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, honey, and pickle brine directly to the glass. Stir until the honey is fully dissolved.
Add ice and top with tonic water. Fill the glass with ice, then pour the tonic water over the top. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and serve immediately.
Pitcher Paloma Mocktail (Perfect for a Party)
This drink is perfect for batching: it’s great for parties! The base comes together in seconds, and because you’re adding tonic water per glass, every drink stays perfectly fizzy. See the Notes section in the recipe below.
I love this version for baby showers especially: it’s fun , non-alcoholic, and looks vibrant in a glass with a salted rim and a grapefruit wedge.
Serving Ideas
This paloma mocktail is great when you need a drink that’s refreshing and non alcoholic. Here’s what I’d pair it with:
This paloma mocktail is full of tart grapefruit, zingy lime, a salted rim – zero tequila required! It’s ready in 5 minutes and a refreshing non alcoholic drink.
¼ teaspoonpickle brine (juice from a pickle jar; see Notes)
3 ounces tonic water (or grapefruit soda; see Notes)
Flaky sea salt and tajÃn, for the garnish
Instructions
Cut a notch in the grapefruit wedge, then run the grapefruit around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of flaky sea salt and tajÃn (or you can wet the side of the glass, like in the photos).
To the glass, add the lime juice, grapefruit juice, honey, and pickle brine, and stir until the honey is fully dissolved.
Fill the glass with ice. Top with tonic water and serve immediately.
Notes
Pitcher variation: For a pitcher of 8 drinks, mix 1 cup lime juice, 2 cups grapefruit juice, ¼ cup honey and ¼ cup pickle brine in a pitcher. Prep the glasses, then pour in about 3 oz of the mixture in each glass, then top with 3 oz tonic water.
Substitutions: If you don’t have a jar of pickles, olive brine works too — or even caper brine. You can also substitute grapefruit soda for the tonic water to make a sweeter drink.
This chicken and farro recipe is an easy healthy dinner idea that takes 7 minutes to prep, no chopping required! This one pan meal is packed with whole grain farro, juicy chicken thighs, cherry tomatoes, and garlic.
For the past few weeks, Alex and I have been working on a recipe concept: a “Mediterranean diet recipe that’s an easy healthy dinner with simple prep full of whole grains and protein.” After we served this chicken and farro recipe to my parents, my mom immediately asked for the recipe! So I think we nailed it.
What makes it so tasty? Juicy chicken thighs roast on top of a bed of whole grain farro, garlic, and burst cherry tomatoes, and every bite has a bit of smoky, savory, tomato-y flavor! I love serving it in a bowl with a dollop hummus and pickled red onions as a healthy dinner idea.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Takes only 7 minutes to prep, no chopping required! It might be the easiest dinner recipe prep we know.
A true one-dish dinner. This means fewer pots and a way easier cleanup.
Wholesome and delicious.Farro is a fiber-rich whole grain with a pleasantly nutty chew: a fun alternative to rice that’s more filling! The flavor of the entire dish is savory, smoky and satisfying.
Ingredients for This Chicken Farro Recipe
Here’s what you need for this recipe:
Farro (pearled or semi-pearled): Use pearled or semi-pearled farro here.
Cherry tomatoes: These burst and create a bright tomato sauce as they roast: you can throw them in whole.
Garlic cloves (smashed): Smashing (not mincing) keeps prep fast and gives the farro a mellow, sweet garlic flavor rather than a sharp bite. (Please don’t skip this!)
Olive oil: Adds richness for cooking.
Dried oregano, onion powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder: These are our secret spices that create an incredible herby, smoky flavor. Make sure to find smoked paprika for this one!
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Thighs stay juicy over a long bake time: don’t substitute chicken breast here.
Ingredient Spotlight: Farro
Farro is ancient whole grain that’s chewy and nutty, and it’s been a Mediterranean staple for centuries. Farro holds its structure well in the oven and doesn’t turn mushy.
For this recipe, you’ll want pearled or semi-pearled farro (not whole farro), which has had some of the outer bran removed. (Whole farro requires a much longer cook time and won’t work here.)
Remember: farro is not gluten free! So this recipe does not work for gluten-free diets.
Tips For This Chicken Farro Bake
One of the things I love most about this recipe is how straightforward the process is. Here’s a brief walkthrough before you jump to the recipe card:
Use the right farro. Pearled or semi-pearled farro is non-negotiable for this recipe.
Don’t skip the foil. Covering the dish tightly traps the steam that the farro needs to cook through.
If desired, check the chicken temp. The bake time for this recipe should allow the chicken thighs to reach a safe temperature. But if desired, you can use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the thickest part of the chicken has reached 170°F before serving.
Make it your own. Add a can of drained chickpeas to the farro base for extra protein, or finish with a handful of fresh basil. Just don’t remove the tomatoes and garlic: they are what create the sauce!
Ways To Serve It
Of course you can serve this chicken and farro on a plate with veggies, but my favorite way is in a bowl! Here are some of my favorite ideas:
In a bowl with baby arugula, lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon juice, a dollop of hummus, and a pile of pickled red onions
This chicken farro bake recipe is an healthy easy dinner idea that takes 7 minutes to prep, no chopping required! This one pan meal is packed with whole grain farro, juicy chicken thighs, cherry tomatoes, and garlic.
In a saucepan, combine the farro, water, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and onion powder. Bring to a boil, then pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Add the tomatoes.
Place the chicken thighs on top of the farro mixture. Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 1 teaspoon kosher salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the chicken is cooked through. Serve on plates or I like serving in bowls over arugula (dressed lightly with olive oil and lemon juice), with a dollop of hummus and pickled red onions.
My grilled dinner ideas are perfect for entertaining or a laid back evening in, from shrimp tacos to big salads! They’ll keep you going all season long.
Grilling season is all about infusing that smoky, charred flavor: and it’s not about burgers and hot dogs! There are so many grilled dinner ideas beyond the bun. I’m a huge grilling fan. In fact, if it’s food, I’ve probably tried to grill it: from creative ideas like BBQ cauliflower and grilled Caesar salad to more traditional things like grilled salmon.
Here are my top favorite easy grilled dinner ideas! From my best grilled veggie burger that stays together on the grill (I promise!) to my trust grilled shrimp tacos, I think you’ll love every single one of them.
Meet the perfect grilled salmon! It’s my tried-and-true easy method that comes out tender with a lightly crisp crust. Even better, it’s sprinkled with tasty magical seasoning blend. This salmon seasoning tastes so good, you’ll want to put it on everything—you might never make salmon without it again.
This grilled chicken salad recipe combines juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables and a tangy Italian vinaigrette, topped with pepperoncini and Parmesan for a zesty, satisfying meal. Substitute grilled tofu for vegetarian and vegan!
When it’s summer, it’s grilled food for dinner—nightly! One of my top proteins to grill is shrimp, because it’s supremely quick (as in, under 5 minutes). This grilled shrimp kabobs recipe is a new family favorite. Take them over the top with creamy Comeback Sauce for the best treat!
This fajita salad recipe is one of our our go-to dinner ideas, bursting with charred vegetables and covered in a creamy salsa ranch dressing! It's delicious with either chicken or beans as the protein. We eat it often and it's easily gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan—plus it works great for serving a crowd!
Yes, it is possible to grill a veggie burger! Here's my best veggie burger recipe, made specifically to be easy to throw onto the grill. Most homemade veggie burgers turn out mushy: but not this one! It’s got a sturdy texture and big, big grilled flavor. Paint it with homemade BBQ sauce and top with creamy guacamole and it's perfection.
Ever tried eggplant Parmesan...on the grill? Yes, grilling up the eggplant until it's tender, charred and smoky makes for the very best version of this Italian standard. It’s stunning enough to serve for entertaining, but a crowd pleaser that would work for a family dinner. Serve it with a glass of frose and a salad.
These grilled fish tacos are an impressive grilled dinner that’s full of beautiful flavor. Imagine: tender, flaky white fish grilled up with cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder. Top it with a creamy taco sauce, and a bit of crunchy slaw.
Welcome to your new favorite grilled dinner: juicy grilled chicken thighs! Alex and I set about to create the best way to grill thighs, and I I think this is it. Marinate them in a zingy mixture of Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and spices, then throw them on the grill and cook until they’re juicy and smoky.
This grilled veggie skewers are a tasty dinner idea featuring colorful veggies and halloumi, a Greek cheese that you can grill along with vegetables. The halloumi adds a super savory, filling element to these skewers that’s irresistible! Serving the skewers over pesto-scented quinoa also makes it a filling dinner, and the bright green bed of grains looks beautiful for serving.
This grilled tofu tastes simply irresistible, charred to perfection and then painted with a sweet and savory marinade. Even if you're not a tofu lover: this is absolutely worth a try. It's a delicious grilled dinner idea that’s full of plant-based protein. You might even convert the meat eaters when they take a taste…because it’s darn delicious.
We’ve figured out the trick to an ultra-moist piece of meat that melts in your mouth. Use this method and you’ll never have bland, boring chicken again! It’s perfect in a grilled chicken salad or chicken pesto sandwich. Every time I serve it, everyone raves.
This fish is bursting with flavor and one of our favorite things to come off of the grill this season. Perhaps grilled cod doesn’t sound like something to wax poetic about. But cover it in homemade blackened seasoning and it’s got massive savory and smoky notes, with a hint of underlying intrigue from cloves and allspice.
Next up in our grilled dinner ideas...one of our favorite meals ever: Shrimp Tacos! These grilled tacos have a party vibe that works for both a summer dinner party or as an easy weeknight meal. The smoky shrimp are perfectly spiced, served atop a Mexican slaw and drizzle lightly with spicy mayo. Top with a spritz of lime juice and torn fresh cilantro, they’re pretty heavenly.
Grilled cheese on the grill? Yes, this grilled cheese is made on a charcoal grill, and once you've tried it you won't want to go back! Fire up the grill, grill the bread on both sides, and then top and grill until the cheese melts. The grill imparts a smoky flavor that’s a fine compliment to the gooey cheese and savory basil pesto.
Try this deliciously tender Grilled Halibut! This method is no fail, and makes a tender, juicy, charred piece of fish. Spritz with lemon juice and sprinkle with a little smoked salt, and it’s out of this world!
Looking for the grilled dinner recipe of your dreams? Try this Chicken Pesto Sandwich! It starts with juicy grilled chicken, seasoned to perfection with a savory mix of spices. Throw it onto grilled ciabatta bread, then top with baby arugula, soft fresh mozzarella cheese and juicy tomato slices. The crowning glory is a mound of bright green herbaceous basil pesto.
This buffalo cauliflower sandwich is a grilled dinner idea that will blow your mind! The buffalo cauliflower is a play on buffalo chicken wings and slathered in a spicy buffalo sauce. Top that with a creamy blue cheese ranch sauce and a few fresh celery leaves, and it’s an unforgettable (and a little messy) veggie sandwich recipe.
Move over, burgers: there’s so much more to do with a grill this summer. Try a fillet of Grilled Red Snapper! This white fish is simply stunning, seasoned and served up with veggie kabobs and a summer salad. Not only is it healthier than a burger…it might be tastier, too.
Do nachos count as a grilled dinner idea? Because I would eat them for dinner! Grilled nachos are a perfect grilling recipe to wow a crowd for entertaining. The grill brings a smoky, charred flavor to the nachos and they look stunning in a cast iron skillet. Serve them with a salad or a few sides and you've got a tasty grilled dinner.
Grilled shrimp is one of the fastest things you can cook on the grill: it takes less than 5 minutes to cook these babies. Sure you can marinade the shrimp before grilling. But most of the time, why not go easy and lightening fast? Here's the perfect grilled shrimp recipe. Also try: Cajun Grilled Shrimp, Blackened Shrimp or Grilled Shrimp Skewers
If you’re looking for a healthy grilled recipe that fits into the Mediterranean diet: here’s the one! The flaky fish is bursting with savory, smoky flavor from the grill. Top it with sweet and tender blistered cherry tomatoes, and it looks simply stunning. It’s the ideal summer meal for entertaining or even a weeknight.
This grilled dinner idea was inspired by a sandwich shop I visited on a trip to Italy, and I've recreated it here! Focaccia bread is spread with basil pesto and Kalamata olive spread, and then it’s filled with grilled eggplant, juicy ripe tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella. Even better: it's easy to put together!
Here's a unique grilled dinner idea: grilled veggie pasta! It has double the grilled veggies: both for the pasta and blended into a grilled romesco sauce. Romesco is sauce made of roasted peppers and almonds that originates from Spain. It makes a creamy bright red sauce for the lightly smoky pasta. Top it with feta crumbles and enjoy!
Grilled scallops come out incredibly tender and full of flavor, no special seasonings required! Grilling them is much easier than searing them in a pan: you don’t have to worry about how hot the pan is or getting an even crisp crust. Nope, just pop them on the grill and in 5 minutes they’re juicy and ready to eat.
Last up in these ygrilled dinner ideas: perfect portobello mushroom burger! This giant meaty mushroom is irresistible on is own. But add it to a burger bun and pile it high with toppings, and it’s downright outrageous! It's best eaten on the patio with the wafting smell of charcoal.
Grilled Side Dishes to Complete the Meal
Want to grill up some sides too? Here are a few to add to these dinner ideas!
What are some easy grilled dinner ideas for beginners?
Great question! For those new to grilling, try simple recipes like purchased burgers, hot dogs, sausages, chicken breasts, or kebabs. These are easy to prepare and cook quickly, making them perfect for weeknight meals.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure your food is cooked to the proper internal temperature. You can also check for visual cues like tenderness, color change, and juices running clear.
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