If using fresh passion fruits, slice them in half and scoop the pulp (seeds and all) into a small strainer set over a bowl. Press gently with the back of a spoon to extract the juice while keeping some seeds for texture and authenticity. Pro tip: Don't throw away the seeds—they add authentic texture to your passion fruit paloma and look beautiful in the finished drink

If using frozen passion fruit pulp, simply thaw it at room temperature for about 10 minutes until pourable. Pro tip: Frozen passion fruit is often more affordable and works just as well as fresh, so don't hesitate to use it

Fill your rocks or highball glass with ice and set it in the freezer while you prepare the drink, or fill it with ice water and let it chill for 2-3 minutes. Pro tip: A chilled glass is crucial for keeping your passion fruit paloma cold throughout the drinking experience

Pour sea salt onto a small shallow plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your chilled glass, then dip the rim into the salt, rotating gently to coat evenly. Pro tip: Use just enough salt to create a thin, elegant rim—too much will overpower the delicate passion fruit flavors in your paloma cocktail recipe

Add 2 oz of silver tequila to your cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Pro tip: Use quality 100% agave tequila for the smoothest, most complex flavor

Pour in 3 oz fresh grapefruit juice, 1.5 oz passion fruit juice or pulp, and 0.5 oz fresh lime juice. Pro tip: Use freshly squeezed juices whenever possible—they make a noticeable difference compared to bottled juice

Add 0.5 oz simple syrup or agave nectar to balance the tartness of the citrus juices. Pro tip: Taste as you go and adjust sweetness to your preference—some prefer slightly less or more syrup depending on grapefruit sweetness

Fill your cocktail shaker with fresh ice (large cubes if possible), add all ingredients, and shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds until the exterior of the shaker becomes frosty. Pro tip: The vigorous shaking not only mixes the ingredients but also chills the drink and slightly dilutes it for perfect balance

Strain the mixture into your prepared salt-rimmed glass filled with fresh ice. Pro tip: If using a Hawthorne strainer, hold it firmly against the shaker to prevent ice from entering the glass

Place a fresh grapefruit wheel or half-moon slice on the rim of the glass, and if desired, float a passion fruit half in the drink for visual drama. Pro tip: The garnish does more than look pretty—it adds a subtle flavor boost as you drink and shows off the tropical nature of this passion fruit tequila drink

Serve immediately while the drink is ice-cold and the passion fruit flavors are at their brightest. Pro tip: Don't let the drink sit for more than a few minutes before serving, as ice dilution will begin to mute the vibrant flavors