Pomegranate Martini

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/21/21
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
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Pomegranate Martini

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
154 Calories
0g Fat
10g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 154
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 14mg 68%
Calcium 12mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 93mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

A favorite among fruity vodka martinis, the pomegranate martini is a delightful cocktail. Using fresh pomegranate juice when the fruit is in season makes this a good Christmas cocktail. You can also use store-bought juice and enjoy this lovely martini year-round.

This cocktail is a simple twist on the cosmopolitan. Rather than cranberry juice, you'll use pomegranate juice, shaking it with the cosmo's vodka, orange liqueur, and citrus juice. To make the best pomegranate martini, choose a premium triple sec (Cointreau is the most popular option), and use top-shelf vodka.

Pomegranates are naturally a bit tart, and the sweetness of pomegranate juice varies. You will want to adjust the lemon juice—lime is a great alternative—to fit the pomegranate juice you're pouring. Quite often, just a splash is needed to get an ideal balance of sweet and sour. Depending on your taste, a sweeter juice may need more citrus.

There are many ways to switch up the pomegranate martini recipe. For instance, you can use a pomegranate liqueur, give it a peachy twist, or serve it in a cinnamon sugar-rimmed glass for a festive touch.

"If you are a fan of the Cosmopolitan, this is an excellent option for a variation on the popular classic. The mouthfeel elevates this fruity ‘martini’ variation and brings it a touch closer to a mixology experience than most well-known 90s cocktails. This recipe is balanced and will satisfy any fun-loving craving." —Sean Johnson

Pomegranate Martini Tester Image
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Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for a Pomegranate Martini

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

  2. In a cocktail shaker, pour the vodka, triple sec, pomegranate juice, and lemon juice. Fill with ice.

    Mixing a Pomegranate Martini

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  3. Shake well.

    Shaking a Pomegranate Martini

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  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

    Straining a Pomegranate Martini

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  5. Garnish with a lemon peel.

    Pomegranate Martini With Lemon Peel Garnish

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Tips

  • Serving this martini in a chilled cocktail glass will keep the drink colder. For a quick chill, place a few ice cubes in the glass while mixing up the drink and discard them before straining.
  • Some bottled pomegranate juices are very sweet, while others are almost pure fruit juice with little or no added sweetener. Taste the juice on its own so you have an idea for how much lemon juice to add.
  • Juicing a fresh pomegranate is incredibly simple: Place the arils (or seeds) in a baggie and crush them to release the juice, then strain out the seeds.

Recipe Variations

  • If your taste leans toward sweeter cocktails, add 1/4 to 1/2 ounce of simple syrup to the shaker.
  • Switch from a triple sec like Cointreau to a brandy-based orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier) for a darker hint of orange.
  • Flavored vodkas are a great option, and citrus vodka is a nice choice. Give the pomegranate martini a seasonal spice with either cinnamon or ginger vodka (both are simple homemade infusions).
  • Peach schnapps is a fun addition to this cocktail; try adding 1/2 ounce of the sweet liqueur.
  • Use the Pama martini recipe when switching from juice to pomegranate liqueur.
  • For a virgin pomegranate martini, shake 2 ounces each of pomegranate juice and orange or cranberry juice with a squeeze of lemon. It's fantastic with a splash of club soda.
  • Around the holidays, rim the glass with a mixture of sugar and ground cinnamon: Mix equal parts of the two ingredients until it becomes an even, light brown color. Wet the glass rim with a lemon wedge, then roll it in a small dish of cinnamon sugar.

How Strong Is a Pomegranate Martini?

While a martini made with pomegranate juice is slightly lighter than one that uses pomegranate liqueur, the difference is not significant. This pomegranate martini is still pretty potent, with an average alcohol content of 20 percent ABV (40 proof). To put that into perspective, drinking two of these martinis is like taking a straight shot of vodka.

Do Pomegranate Seeds Make a Good Garnish?

When in season, add a few pomegranate arils as a garnish if you like. Whether fresh or dried, pomegranate arils are not likely to float unless added to carbonated drinks (though some may surprise you). Instead, they typically sink to the bottom of the glass.