Pomegranate Martini

Here’s the best pomegranate martini! This jewel-toned drink is sweet tart and light: the perfect fruity variation on this classic cocktail.

Looking for a fun cocktail as a signature drink for your next gathering? Try a Pomegranate Martini! Crisp, sweet tart, fruity, and light: it’s much closer to a Cosmo than the classic martini. But instead of cranberry juice like the Cosmopolitan, it’s made with pomegranate juice instead. Serve it up in a martini glass and you’ve got a sophisticated cocktail that’s refreshing and easy to drink. Here’s how to make it!

What’s in a pomegranate martini?

This pomegranate martini can be considered a spin on the classic martini: except that it’s closer to a Cosmopolitan! Both the Cosmo and the martini have official definitions on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. But this pomegranate martini spin is off-script! It’s got vodka like a vodka martini. But where a vodka martini simply has dry vermouth…well, it adds lots of other ingredients! It’s really more of a sour cocktail than anything.

Here are the ingredients in a pomegranate martini:

• Vodka
• Pomegranate juice (purchased or fresh squeezed)
• Cointreau
• Lemon juice
• Simple syrup

How to make a pomegranate martini (basic steps)

It’s very simple to make a pomegranate martini! All you’ll need is a cocktail shaker and a martini glass. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):

1. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds until cold.
2. Strain into a glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon peel: see below for what to do with it!

How to express citrus into a cocktail!

For this pomegranate martini, you’ll do something that’s common in cocktails: expressing a citrus peel onto the drink. Why? This gives you a strong citrus perfume when you go to take a sip of the drink. Here’s what you’ll do:

• Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of the lemon peel.
• Squeeze it over the drink first, which releases the oils and gives it a strong lemon perfume.
• To amp it up a notch, run the lemon peel around the rim of the glass. This gives an even more citrus-y first sip.

You’ll notice this technique is used in lots of classic cocktails to add an extra sensory element, like the Classic Old Fashioned and Boulevardier Cocktail.

About Cointreau…and a substitute!

Cointreau is an orange liqueur with a beautiful orange perfume flavor. Cointreau is a type of triple sec, which means “triple distilled.” But it’s technically a higher quality than a Triple Sec, with a more robust and balanced flavor. It’s most well known for being used in cocktails like the Classic Margarita. If you buy a bottle, you’ll have lots to make with it: all our Best Margarita Recipes and these Best Cointreau Drinks.

If you don’t have a bottle of Cointreau for this pomegranate martini, you can substitute any orange liqueur. You could try Triple Sec, or a higher end liqueur like Grand Marnier.

Cousin drink recipes: the Cosmo & more martinis!

There are several drinks that are similar to the pomegranate martini. Here are it’s closest relatives:

• Cosmopolitan Cocktail The Cosmo is like a pomegranate martini but uses cranberry juice. It’s also often garnished with lime.
• Lemon Drop Martini Here’s another type of martini made with vodka and lemon! It’s also technically a sour cocktail instead of a martini.
• Classic Martini, Dirty Martini, and Vesper Martini Similar in name only! These martinis use gin and dry vermouth (or Lillet Blanc, in the case of the former): no tangy or sweet elements.
• French Martini Perfectly balanced with vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur.
• Watermelon Martini This fruity vodka cocktail features watermelon and lime.

When to serve a pomegranate martini

This pomegranate martini is sophisticated, sweet tart and fruity. It’s great as a:

• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Bridal shower drink or bachelorette party drink
• Girls night drink
• Gender reveal party drink (this pink drink is perfect!)
• Christmas or holiday drink
• Romantic dinner drink

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More classic cocktails

Here are a few more of our best classic cocktails you might also enjoy:

• Tom Collins This popular gin cocktail that’s light, sweet tart, and bubbly!
• Southside Cocktail An easy and refreshing gin drink made with mint, lemon and lime: think of it like a gin mojito. Or try the Southside Fizz, the bubbly version.
• Classic Mojito Perfectly balanced with lime, rum and fresh mint! This iconic Cuban cocktail is refreshing and just sweet enough.
• Paloma Cousin of the classic margarita, this easy Mexican cocktail recipe features tequila with grapefruit instead of lime!