Pomegranate Martini

This smooth, slightly sweet and tart Pomegranate Martini is perfect for serving at any celebration! It’s sweet, tart, and delightfully smooth with just the lightest bite from the vodka. This fruity cocktail features pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, vodka, and a splash of lime juice and simple syrup.

This is a great cocktail to make in a winter and around the holidays much like our Winter Margarita and Pomegranate Champagne Punch.

Pomegranate Martini

Cheers! There’s nothing better than clinking some Pomegranate Martinis between friends. This recipe may be simple, but it’s also unforgettably good. If you love the unmistakable flavor of pomegranate, you’ll love the way it’s featured with both pomegranate liqueur AND juice in this cocktail recipe! It’s a little tangy, a little sweet, and completely delicious. Even the biggest lovers of dirty martinis might have a new favorite shaken cocktail!

You can serve Pomegranate Martinis at festivities of any kind. The vibrant red color can be themed in so many different ways! It’s dramatic enough to serve as a Halloween party drink, or you could go the opposite route and use that red color in a festive way at your next Christmas party. I usually ring in the new year with a Pomegranate Martini in hand. If you’re anything like me, you love a good martini any time of the year.

The key to making this simple cocktail impressive and perfectly picturesque is to toss in some pomegranate seeds! Those little jewels at the bottom of the glass make the entire drink simply stunning. Plus, the way they adapt the flavors of the cocktail while sitting in the cup is pretty tasty, so feel free to eat them when you’re done drinking the martini! And don’t worry – even if you skip adding the seeds, your Pomegranate Martinis will still be a huge hit.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Vodka – Try to use a good quality vodka for this martini recipe. The liquor you choose can always make or break your cocktail, so pick your bottle with care! You don’t need an expensive top shelf vodka, but you don’t want bottom shelf either.
• Cointreau – You can use another orange liqueur if you’d like, but Cointreau always usually yields the best tasting results.
• Pomegranate Juice – You can use store-bought juice or make your own with my simple instructions! All you need is a pomegranate, a blender, and a fine mesh strainer.
• Lime Juice – always use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor.
• Simple Syrup – Remember not to use too much, you just need a little sweetness for a smooth, balanced finish.
• Pomegranate Seeds – This optional garnish adds a picturesque element to your already vibrant cocktail.

How to Remove Pomegranate Seeds

You always have to options: make your own pomegranate juice or use store-bought. Store-bought is definitely easier and faster. Sometimes, you can’t find any at the store though so that’s when you can grab a pomegranate or two and make your own.

1. Use a small pairing knife to slice off the top part (about 1 inch in diameter) of the pomegranate. Take the “cap” off of the pomegranate, which will expose the top of the fruit and give access to the seeds.
2. Make careful slices in the pomegranate skin down two or three opposing sides all the way from the top to the bottom.
3. Carefully but firmly pull the pomegranate halves apart.
4. Place the pomegranate halves or thirds into a bowl with cold water. Work through the seeds carefully, separating them from the membrane and the skin. The pomegranate seeds will mostly sink and the membrane will float to the top. It won’t take much effort to remove them from the rind.
5. Simply skim the membrane off the top with a mesh strainer and drain the water from the seeds.

How to Make Homemade Pomegranate Juice

Once you realize how easy this is, you don’t have to rely on finding a store-bought. And, when you make fresh pomegranate juice at home, you get all the flavor and nutrients you want without any of the artificial ingredients and preservatives you don’t.

1. Simply place the pomegranate seeds into your blender and pulse it a few times. Don’t pulse too much.
2. Strain the juice through the fine mesh strainer and use a spoon to press the remaining juice out of the seeds and flesh in the strainer.

How to Make the Martini

Chill the glass.

First things first – make sure your glass is nice and cold! You can skip this step if you want, but having a chilled glass makes a world of difference.

Add a few ice cubes to your martini glass and fill it with cold water. Let the ice water sit as you prepare the cocktail.

Shake it!

Measure all of your ingredients and pour them into a cocktail shaker. Shake for 20-25 seconds.

Pour and enjoy.

Pour out the ice water from the chilled glass. Use a strainer to pour your Pomegranate Martini into the glass, and enjoy!

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Originally Published on Will Cook For Smiles December, 2012.