Moroccan Cocktail

By Colleen Graham

Updated 02/21/19

Charbay Vodka's Moroccan Cocktail
A touch of cardamom syrup makes this pomegranate vodka cocktail a spectacular treat. Photo Courtesy: © Shannon Graham
  • Total: 3 mins
  • Prep: 3 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 1 cocktail (1 serving)

The Moroccan cocktail is an intriguing pomegranate drink that you definitely won't want to miss. It pairs the sweet taste of the fruit with a hint of cardamom spice. This cocktail is a wonderful fruity vodka martini for the winter months and is a great choice for dinner or brunch.

Thie recipe comes from Domaine Charbay and is designed to feature their amazing pomegranate vodka. The sweetener is a cardamom-infused simple syrup, which you can make at home or buy from producers like Pink House Alchemy. It gives the cocktail an interesting spice flavor that contrasts the fruit very nicely.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces pomegranate vodka (Charbay)
  • 1/2 ounce cardamom simple syrup
  • 1/2 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce pomegranate puree (or juice)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour the vodka, cardamom simple syrup, lemon juice, and pomegranate puree into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

  3. Shake well.

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • Pomegranate puree is very easy to make when the fruit is in season (North American winter). Simply place the pomegranate arils (the seeds) in a food processor or blender with a splash of water and blend it into a puree. It will not be completely smooth and you can remove the broken up bits of the seeds with a fine mesh strainer.
  • If you want to make this out of season, pomegranate juice makes a fine substitution. In a pinch, grenadine or a pomegranate liqueur like Pama will do, but the drink will be much sweeter.
  • Fresh lemon juice is preferred. A single lemon typically yields 1 3/4 ounces, which is more than enough for a few cocktails.

Recipe Variations

  • Garnishing the Moroccan cocktail can be simple and there are a number of good possibilities. You could play up the pomegranate or cardamom flavors by floating a few seeds from either in the drink. Or, go with a more conventional garnish like a lovely lemon twist.
  • While Charbay's pomegranate vodka is recommended, any vodka of the flavor will work nicely in this cocktail. For a substitute, you can try any berry-flavored vodka, particularly raspberry or strawberry.
  • Though it won't have the Moroccan flair, you can use unflavored simple syrup and enjoy a really flavorful pomegranate martini.
  • Other flavored simple syrups can be used as well. Additional spices that pair perfectly with pomegranate include cinnamon and ginger, both of which are perfect for syrups.

How Strong Is a Moroccan Cocktail?

Since pomegranate vodka is the Moroccan cocktail's only liquor and it's typically bottled at just 70 proof, this is one of the lighter martinis you can mix up. It will shake up to around 17 percent ABV (34 proof), which is just a little stronger than the average wine.