Is Grapefruit “Paloma” Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing on the front of the can to the chemistry on the back. The formula for Grapefruit “Paloma” is surprisingly clean and straightforwardly plant-based. The primary flavor drivers are red rio grapefruit juice concentrate and a paloma tea infusion. This infusion includes lemongrass, ginger, and orange peel, all of which are botanical and inherently vegan.

Many consumers worry about the catch-all term natural flavors. In the beverage industry, natural flavors are derived from plant or animal sources. However, because the core profile is citrus and herbal, and the brand targets a wellness demographic, these flavors are almost certainly derived from botanical sources like citrus oils or terpenes from herbs, rather than animal secretions like castoreum. Additionally, the functional ingredients, such as L-theanine powder (extracted from tea leaves) and guayusa extract, are strictly plant-derived. There are no red flags like gelatin, honey, or dairy derivatives in this list.

Nutritional Value

While this beverage is chemically vegan, it is important to view it through a nutritional lens. The sweetness comes from agave and pear juice concentrate. While these are natural sweeteners, they are still concentrated sources of sugar. A single serving contributes a noticeable amount of sugar to your daily intake, which is something to monitor if you are watching your caloric load or managing blood sugar levels. The drink is fat-free and low in calories relative to a full meal, but it should be viewed as a treat or a functional beverage rather than a zero-calorie thirst quencher like plain water.