This pomegranate martini is bright and festive with fresh rosemary, pomegranate seeds, and a sugared rim that makes it perfect for holiday entertaining.
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“We do a cook off with my sister and the ingredient was pomegranates. Everything we make (appetizer, main dish, dessert and cocktail) has to have the chosen ingredient. I had to make a cocktail and I made the pomegranate martini. It was DELICIOUS!!!!” ~Sandy, FoodieCrush reader
The Martini I Love Making for Holiday Parties
I love a drink with some flair. Just like my favorite bloody mary (with ALL the fixins), my champagne punch, and this ombre tequila sunrise, this pomegranate martini screams “party.”
A gold sugar rim, fresh pomegranate arils, and a stir stick that’s fresh and fragrant (a sprig of rosemary), all make this Christmas martini festive and bright.
Similar to the cosmopolitan cocktail, it’s made with pomegranate juice, vodka, and orange liqueur and has a punchy, citrus-driven sip. I found the recipe forever ago, after discovering it as being attributed to the one and only OOOOOOprah. Is it one of her favorite things? I can’t imagine it isn’t.
Enjoy!
What’s in This Cocktail?
The full recipe, with amounts, can be found in the recipe card below.
- Vodka — Just use your favorite.
- Orange Liqueur — Such as Cointreau (use a non-alcoholic orange liqueur, like this one if making alcohol-free).
- Pomegranate Juice — Such as POM Wonderful. Purchase 100% juice and avoid anything with added sugar.
- Pomegranate seeds — For garnish and texture.
- Lemon — For acidity (you’ll use both the juice and the peel).
- Rosemary — For serving.
- Gold sanding sugar — Optional, but I love sugaring the rim since this is a fairly powerful cocktail.
The 3 Steps for Making a Pomegranate Martini
- Combine the liquids and chill. Mix everything together in a big pitcher and chill until ready to serve.
- Rim the martini glasses. Simply dip the martini glasses in a shallow dish of water and then roll in the gold sanding sugar.
- Serve. Fill the martini glasses with pomegranate mixture, a tablespoon of pomegranate seeds, lemon twists, and garnish with rosemary sprigs.
Heidi’s Tip: Want to make a non-alcoholic version? Omit the vodka sub in a non-alcoholic orange liqueur (like this one) or add some fresh orange juice. Then, top with sparkling water (or better yet, a sparkling orange flavored water).
Recipe Variations
- Instead of pomegranate juice, try cranberry juice or tart cherry juice
- Try lime instead of lemon
- Swap the vodka for gin
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Pomegranate Martini Recipe
Equipment
- Martini Glasses
- Pitcher
- Cocktail Strainer
- Edible Gold Sanding Sugar
Ingredients
- 2 cups vodka (16 ounces)
- 1 cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau (8 ounces)
- 1 cup pomegranate juice (8 ounces)
- ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Lemon twists from lemon peel
- Rosemary sprigs
- Gold sanding sugar, (optional)
Instructions
- Make the cocktail mix. Combine the 2 cups vodka, 1 cup orange liqueur, 1 cup pomegranate juice, and the juice of 1 lemon in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare the festive martini glasses. Dip the rims of the martini glasses in a shallow bowl with ¼ inch of water. Roll the rims in gold sugar.
- Fill, garnish, and enjoy! Fill each martini glass with pomegranate drink, 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds, 1 lemon twist, and garnish with rosemary sprigs. Serve over ice if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can easily make this pomegranate cocktail ahead of time. Just mix all of your liquids in a pitcher and chill for up to 5 days.
More Holiday Cocktails You’ll Love
Appetizers to Serve with Your Martinis
- Crab Cake Poppers
- Pigs in a Puff Pastry Blanket
- Easy Shrimp Cocktail
- The Best Clam Dip Recipe EVER
- Baked Brie
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Sandy Wentzloff
We do a cook off with my sister and the ingredient was Pomegranates. Everything we make (appetizer , main dish, dessert and cocktail) has to have the chosen ingredient. I had to make a cocktail and I made the Pomegranate martini .. It was DELICIOUS.!!!! thanks for the recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Sandy!
Laura
So pretty, but dang – this was a stiff cocktail! Made these on Thanksgiving and we each had to water them down. Will try again sometime, but maybe with more juice or some sparkling water.
Blanca
While this was a pretty drink with just the addition of the pom seeds in each glass, the recipe is way too strong with 2 cups of vodka + 1 cup of orange liqueur even when iced down.
I made this Xmas eve night following the written recipe and everyone liked it but felt it was too strong. Next time it’s just 1 cup of vodka in my pitcher.
Also, I added a bit of simple sugar.
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Thanks Blanca for the feeback! I am so glad that you enjoyed the cocktail.
Liren
It just wouldn’t be the same without garnish! This is such a stunner, Heidi!
Becky
When you started out this post with asking if you are a garnisher or not all I could think of was Everett. He has this strange habit of wanting to put something on top of the food on his spoon before he eats it – it’s like he wants to garnish every bite. Silly boy!!
On another note… these cocktails. Woah! Can’t wait to try them this holiday season!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I am all for garnish and this is one gorgeous holiday cocktail!
Kathy @ Olives and Garlic
I’ll take a few please. Yumm. I am a garnisher or garnishless as long as it tastes good.
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Such pretty giggle juice!! Can’t beat a festive martini! Garnishes all.the.way.
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
GORGEOUS. Garnishes FTW! :)
Mother Omega
A Good Thing!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
Garnishes and glitter for the win! Even James Bond couldn’t resist.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Oh I’m a total garnish-er. Pureed soups and cocktails are just screaming for us to top them with pretty, yummy things!! Love these martini’s, Heidi!
Maria
Perfect drink for the holidays! So pretty!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
I’m a cocktail garnish-er, all the way! These are so pretty Heidi!