A pomegranate martini is 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of pomegranate juice, 1/2 ounce of orange liqueur and 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice, shaken hard with ice and strained into a sugar rimmed glass. It takes 5 minutes and makes one drink. Add 1/4 ounce of simple syrup only if your juice tastes sharp.
It comes out deep ruby, tart first and then smooth. The lime keeps it from tasting like juice, and the orange liqueur rounds off the vodka.
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Try the Recipe Converter →Vodka, Pom Juice and Lime: The Measurements
- 2 oz vodka, chilled. Pick a smooth one with no harsh finish; it does not need to be expensive.
- 1 oz pomegranate juice, bottled or fresh.
- 1/2 oz orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or triple sec.
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice, about half a lime.
- 1/4 oz simple syrup, optional.
- For the glass: a lime wedge, pink or white sugar, and 3 to 4 pomegranate arils.
That is 2 parts vodka to 1 part juice, so this is a full strength martini, not a juice drink. For something softer, pour 1 1/2 ounces of vodka and keep everything else the same.
Fresh Pomegranate Juice or a Bottle?
Both work. Check the label on a bottle first. Pure 100% pomegranate juice is tart and a little tannic, so it wants the 1/4 ounce of simple syrup. A sweetened pomegranate juice cocktail is already sweet; leave the syrup out. Grenadine is a syrup, not juice, and it cannot stand in for the 1 ounce of pomegranate.
Fresh juice tastes brighter and slightly earthy. Cut a large pomegranate in half, hold it under water in a bowl and pull the seeds out. The pith floats and the seeds sink. Blend the seeds in short pulses, just until they burst, then strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Longer blending breaks the white pips and turns the juice bitter. My homemade pomegranate juice walks through it with photos.
One large pomegranate gives about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of juice, enough for 4 to 6 martinis. Keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
How to Make a Pomegranate Martini, Step by Step
Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a martini or coupe glass and dip it in a shallow dish of sugar. Put the glass in the freezer while you mix. The sugar dries on and the glass gets icy.
Pour the vodka, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, lime juice and the syrup, if you are using it, into a shaker. Fill it halfway with ice. Shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty and almost too cold to hold. Short, gentle shaking leaves the drink warm and too strong.
Strain into the chilled glass through the shaker strainer and a small fine mesh sieve held over the glass. This double strain catches ice shards and pulp, so the drink stays clear and jewel colored. Drop in 3 to 4 pomegranate arils. They sink and sit at the bottom. Serve it right away, while it is still ice cold.
Cointreau or a Budget Triple Sec?
Cointreau is a triple sec style orange liqueur, just a stronger and drier one. It gives a rounder orange note and lets the pomegranate lead. A cheaper triple sec is sweeter and thinner, and it can make the drink taste a little candied. For one or two drinks I reach for Cointreau. For a pitcher, triple sec is fine; skip the simple syrup to make up for its sugar.
Lemon, PAMA and Cranberry Twists
- Lemon pomegranate martini: swap the lime for 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice. It tastes softer and closer to a lemon drop martini.
- PAMA martini: replace the orange liqueur with 1/2 ounce of PAMA pomegranate liqueur for a deeper, sweeter pomegranate flavor. Leave out the syrup.
- Cranberry pomegranate martini: use 1/2 ounce of pomegranate juice and 1/2 ounce of unsweetened cranberry juice, plus the 1/4 ounce of syrup. Good for Thanksgiving.
A Pitcher of Pom Martinis for 8
Stir these together in a jug: 2 cups of vodka, 1 cup of pomegranate juice, 1/2 cup of orange liqueur, 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice, and up to 1/4 cup of simple syrup, to taste. Chill it, covered, and mix it the same day so the lime stays fresh.
Do not add ice or water to the jug. When guests arrive, measure 4 ounces per drink into the shaker and shake two at a time with ice. Every glass gets the same chill and dilution that way. Rim the glasses before people come and keep them in the freezer.
Pom Martini Questions
Can I make a pomegranate martini without orange liqueur?
Yes. Leave it out and add the 1/4 ounce of simple syrup and a strip of orange peel to the shaker. It will taste sharper and less rounded.
What glass should I use?
A chilled martini glass or a coupe. The coupe in these photos is harder to spill when it is full to the rim.
More drinks for the same table: the pomegranate margarita uses the same juice with tequila, and the sugar cookie martini or chocolate martini make a sweet second round. For October, see my Halloween cocktails.
Pomegranate Martini Recipe
This pomegranate martini is a shaken vodka cocktail made with pomegranate juice, orange liqueur such as Cointreau, and fresh lime juice, served in a sugar rimmed glass. It takes 5 minutes and makes 1 deep ruby drink: 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of pomegranate juice and 1/2 ounce each of orange liqueur and lime. Shake it hard with ice for 15 to 20 seconds and double strain it so it pours clear, and add 1/4 ounce of simple syrup only if your juice is tart. Serve this pom martini for holiday parties, Thanksgiving, New Year or a Friday night. Swap lemon for the lime, or use fresh pomegranate juice, which keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka (chilled)
- 1 oz pomegranate juice (store-bought or homemade – see below)
- 0.5 oz orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or triple sec)
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz simple syrup (optional, adjust depending on juice sweetness)
- Ice cubes (for shaking)
- Pomegranate arils, for garnish
- Pink or white sugar, for rimming the glass (optional)
- Lime wedge, for prepping the rim
- FOR THE FRESH POMEGRANATE JUICE (OPTIONAL)
- 1 large pomegranate
Instructions
- PREP THE GLASS: Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a martini glass, then dip it into a shallow dish of pink or white sugar. Set the glass aside.
- ADD INGREDIENTS TO SHAKER: In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup if your juice is more tart than sweet.
- ADD ICE: Fill the shaker halfway with ice cubes to chill the drink thoroughly while shaking.
- SHAKE THE COCKTAIL: Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, until the shaker feels very cold and the mixture is well combined.
- STRAIN INTO GLASS: Strain the drink into the prepared martini glass. For a smooth finish, double strain using a fine mesh strainer to remove ice shards.
- GARNISH AND SERVE: Drop 3 to 4 pomegranate arils into the glass for a clean and vibrant garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
Taste your juice first: 100% pomegranate juice is tart and needs the simple syrup, a sweetened pomegranate juice cocktail does not. Grenadine is not a substitute. To make fresh pomegranate juice, cut the pomegranate in half, submerge it in a bowl of water, and gently remove the seeds. Blend the arils briefly, then strain the juice using cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve. One large pomegranate yields about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of juice, enough for 4 to 6 drinks. Juice keeps for 2 to 3 days refrigerated. For 8 drinks, mix 2 cups vodka, 1 cup pomegranate juice, 1/2 cup orange liqueur, 1/2 cup lime juice and up to 1/4 cup simple syrup without ice, chill, and shake 2 drinks at a time.
Nutrition Information
Yield
1Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 1606Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 48mgCarbohydrates 358gFiber 25gSugar 321gProtein 10g
