Pomegranate Martini

The Pomegranate Martini offers a citrus twist on the classic martini and is closely related to the Cosmopolitan.

This shaken cocktail blends Absolut Citron (lemon-flavored vodka), triple sec, pomegranate juice, and lime juice.

Served in a martini glass and garnished with orange zest, it’s a great to drink to serve at upscale events and gatherings.

A Pomegranate Martini is distinctly tart and citrusy and incredibly pleasant to drink. It drinks a lot like a Cosmopolitan but slightly sweeter.

You’ll enjoy the subtle tartness of pomegranate juice, complemented by a hint of orange sweetness from the triple sec, along with the zest and citrus acidity from both the lime juice and lemon-flavored vodka.

Little information is available or documented about the history of the Pomegranate Martini except that it is said to have been invented at a bar in Sydney, Australia in 2005.

• Double strain
  Use a Hawthorne strainer together with a fine mesh strainer (or a sieve or tea strainer) to fine strain your drink. This prevents any unwanted ice shards turning up in your drink. Fine straining your Pomegranate Martini will result in a smoother, finer drink.
• Make your own lime juice
  One of the key elements to a great-tasting Pomegranate Martini is the fresh, zesty lime juice, which you’ll only achieve if you press your own lime juice. Store-bought stuff is more convenient but it’s simply not as good. Grab a citrus press and juice your limes.
• Make your own pomegranate juice
  What’s the secret to great-tasting cocktails? Fresh ingredients. Just like lime juice, we highly recommend making your own pomegranate juice. It’s a little bit messy but it’s worthwhile.The difference it makes to your drink in terms of flavor, aroma and appearance is incredible. Store-bought stuff is simply incomparable. Check our the FAQ section on this page to see how to make your own pomegranate juice.
• Pre-chill your martini glass
  The difference between an OK cocktail and an incredible is often down to the finer details. Pre-chilling your glassware is one of those little details that just result in a better drinking experience. Simply put your martini glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes before serving.
• Express the zest
  When garnishing your drink, give the orange zest a gentle squeeze over the glass to release its aromatic oils before dropping it in.You can even rim your glass with the zest to really accentuate those aromas.

• Made with unflavored vodka
  While our Pomegranate Martini recipe uses lemon-flavored vodka as the base, other recipes often opt for unflavored vodka. Although you might miss the lemon notes, the other elements – pomegranate, lime, and orange from the triple sec – come through beautifully.
• Steal the limelight
  Swap Absolut Citron for Absolut Lime as the base for your Pomegranate Martini and watch lime steal the limelight. Lime-flavored vodka and fresh lime juice is incredible, trust us.
• Cosmopolitan
  The Cosmopolitan and the Pomegranate Martini are very closely related. In fact, you could say that the Cosmo provided the inspiration for the Pomegranate Martini. A classic Cosmopolitan cocktail shakes together Absolut Citron, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice instead of pomegranate juice. It’s a modern icon for good reason. Check out the recipe for a Cosmopolitan.
• Pomegranate Martini with gin
  One common variation of the Pomegranate Martini replaces vodka with gin. The juniper notes of the gin add a floral quality that adds a new dimension to the drink. Try it and see which version you prefer!

• Being that the Pomegranate Martini is a martini, it should be served in a pre-chilled martini glass.
• To garnish, we recommend a single piece of orange zest placed directly into the glass. Be sure to squeeze the zest over your glass to express the oils first before dropping it in.
• To add a more interesting visual element, create an orange twist by wrapping the zest around a straw, holding it in place for a few seconds, then releasing it to form a spiral shape.
• If you prefer to emphasize the lime flavor and aroma, opt for lime zest instead. A lime coin or lime twist both work well.
• If you want to tone down the acidity and sharp citrus notes, rim your martini glass with sugar. To do this, simply rub lime juice around the glass rim, then pour some fine sugar onto a plate and dip the rum of your glass into the sugar.