Holiday Pomegranate Drink

This bright and breezy holiday pomegranate drink might be the best thing that’s happened to you all year!

This 5-minute recipe will be a hit at your next party. You will love it’s refreshing flavor and how simple it is to make. 

For other delicious scratch-made drinks, try my strawberry limeade recipe or this immune-boosting green drink!

Why you’ll love this pomegranate drink

• Vibrant color: The deep red hue of pomegranate juice gives your holiday drink a festive appearance, perfect for celebrations and gatherings.
• Health benefits: Pomegranate is known for its health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and polyphenols, making your holiday drink tasty and good for you.
• You can make it your own: You can adjust the drink’s sweetness to your liking by adding maple syrup or other sweeteners. 
• Simple to prepare: This is a hassle-free way to add a festive touch to your gatherings.
• Family-friendly: This pomegranate holiday drink is suitable for all ages to enjoy a festive and flavorful beverage together.

Ingredients and substitution notes

• Pomegranate juice (POM brand): This is the star ingredient of this festive drink. POM is a popular brand known for its high-quality pomegranate juice. My recommendation with this recipe is to ensure pure pomegranate juice without added sugars or preservatives.
• Maple syrup: This can be used to sweeten the drink, but it’s optional. Adjust the quantity to your desired level of sweetness. You can also substitute it with other sweeteners like agave nectar. 
• Fresh lime juice: This adds a bright and zesty citrus element to balance the sweetness of the pomegranate juice. 
• Club soda:  You can also use sparkling water. You can adjust the amount to control your beverage’s fizziness level.
• Ice: You can use regular ice cubes or decorative ice molds to add a touch of holiday flair.
• Lime slices: For decoration, I love the pop of color and flavor they add to the drink.
• Pomegranate seeds: The perfect garnish, of course.

Holiday Pomegranate Drink Recipe variations and add-ins

Of course, you can serve this recipe as it is. 

• Cranberry juice: Combine pomegranate and cranberry juices for a double dose of holiday flavor and a beautiful ruby-red color.
• Pomegranate punch: Scale up the recipe and serve it in a punch bowl. Add orange juice, pineapple juice, and a few slices of citrus fruits for a delightful holiday punch.
• Ginger syrup: Add a splash of ginger syrup to give your drink a warm and spicy kick. It pairs wonderfully with the tartness of pomegranate.
• Cinnamon stick: Drop a cinnamon stick into your drink for a touch of warm spice. It infuses slowly and adds a cozy holiday aroma. Ceylon cinnamon is my personal favorite.
• Rosemary sprig: Garnish your pomegranate drink with a fresh rosemary sprig for an aromatic and festive touch. 
• Frozen fruit cubes: Freeze pomegranate seeds, cranberries, or citrus slices into ice cubes and use them in place of regular ice cubes for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.
• Vanilla extract: Add a drop of pure vanilla extract to enhance the sweetness and aroma of your pomegranate holiday drink.
• Edible flowers: Float edible flowers like pansies or violets on the surface of your drink to make it look like a work of art.

Top tips

• Use the best quality fresh pomegranate juice you can: While bottled pomegranate juice like POM is convenient, if you have access to fresh pomegranates, consider juicing them! That’s next level.
• Adjust sweetness to taste: Taste your pomegranate juice before adding sweeteners like maple syrup. Some juices may be sweeter than others, so adjust the sweetener quantity based on your preference.
• Freshly squeezed lime juice: Always use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor. Bottled lime juice lacks the brightness and aroma of fresh citrus.
• Chill ingredients: I recommend chilling your pomegranate juice, lime juice, and club soda. A cold drink is more refreshing.
• Use sparkling water sparingly: When adding club soda or sparkling water, do so gradually to control the level of fizziness. Stir gently to avoid excessive bubbling.
• Start with ice in the glass: Begin by adding ice to the serving glasses. This helps keep the drink cold and refreshing, especially if you’re serving it on a warm holiday day.
• Garnish thoughtfully: Lime slices and pomegranate seeds are not only for decoration but also for flavor. The tartness of the lime and the burst of the pomegranate seeds complement the drink perfectly.
• Experiment with fresh herbs: If you have fresh herbs like mint or rosemary on hand, don’t hesitate to add them as garnishes or muddle them in the glass for added aroma and flavor.
• Balance the flavors: Taste as you go and adjust the ingredients to achieve a good balance of sweetness, tartness, and fizziness. 
• Choose pretty glassware: – Use tall and elegant glasses to showcase the vibrant color of the drink. This adds to the visual appeal, making it even more festive.
• Stir gently: When combining the ingredients, stir gently to avoid over mixing and excessive loss of carbonation from the sparkling water.
• Serve chilled: My personal preference is to serve this pomegranate holiday drink immediately after preparing it to enjoy its refreshing qualities to the fullest.
• Keep extra Ingredients handy: Have extra pomegranate seeds, lime slices, and ice on hand so that guests can customize their drinks to their liking.

Make ahead and storage

To prepare ahead and store your pomegranate holiday drink, you can make the base mixture by combining pomegranate juice, lime juice, and maple syrup (if used), then refrigerate it until needed. 

I personally find that it’s best to add sparkling water and ice just before serving to keep the drink’s refreshing fizziness. 

If you have a leftover drink, you can store it in the refrigerator, but keep in mind that the carbonation from the sparkling water may diminish over time. 

Ensure the drink is covered or sealed to prevent the flavor from getting lost. 

When ready to enjoy, simply add fresh ice and sparkling water garnish with lime slices and pomegranate seeds.

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