Pomegranate Martini

Name: Pomegranate Martini
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 30 Ml SKYY Vodka; 30 Ml Fresh pomegranate juice (store-bought or fresh squeezed); 15 Ml Grand Marnier; 15 Ml Lemon juice; 15 Ml Sugar syrup or maple syrup; Lemon peel to garnish; Ice

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PREP TIME 5 min

Cocktail Type

Martini

Great for

Valentines Day

Difficulty

Easy

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Gosh, how we love a pretty Pomegranate Martini! There are so many different types of Martinis to try and shake up, but this one has a special place in our hearts because it’s so extremely photogenic. It’s also a very approachable drink, much closer in taste to a Cosmopolitan than a classic Martini. Sweetly tart, fruity, and light, it’s easy to whip up (even in batches), and adds a hint of sophistication to just about any gathering.

Learning how to make this pretty drink is also simpler than it seems. We know it has quite a few steps, but don’t get cold feet – most of it has to do with the lemon peel, and that zingy note of citrus it adds to this drink is 100% worth the extra bit of effort. Promise!

QUICK TIPS

Pop the glasses in the freezer for an extra cool serve

Fresh pomegranate juice takes this cocktail to the next level

Pairs well with salty snacks like pretzels and salted nuts

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

30 Ml

1 Oz

1 Parts

30 Ml

1 Oz

1 Parts

Fresh pomegranate juice (store-bought or fresh squeezed)

15 Ml

0.5 Oz

0.5 Parts

15 Ml

0.5 Oz

0.5 Parts

Lemon juice

15 Ml

0.5 Oz

0.5 Parts

Sugar syrup or maple syrup

Lemon peel to garnish

Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

Pour the vodka, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, and sugar syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker

Shake for about 20 seconds until chilled

Strain into a Martini glass

Twist a lemon peel over the glass to release its aromatic oils, then drop it into the drink as a garnish

Serve

Tips on making the best Pomegranate Martini EVER

Here are a few insider tips that will pave the way for a cocktail that will be the talk of the town (or your supper club at least!):

Chill your glasses. Put your glasses in the freezer for ten minutes before you serve up your drinks. This will allow the flavours to shine in the best way possible.
Choose the best pomegranate juice you can find. There are many pomegranate juice blends on the market, but if you really want to push out the boat with this cocktail, look for a 100% pure juice. Of course, if you have the time, making the juice yourself would really put it over the top!
Serve it up with some salty snacks. These cocktails are on the sweet side, which means that they pair well with salty party snacks. Easy options to choose include pretzels, roasted nuts (almonds and Brazil nuts especially), nacho chips with homemade guacamole, as well as crackers with hummus.

When to serve a Pomegranate Martini?

Because this Martini is the simplest recipe ever, it’s a great choice for when you’re entertaining guests. It’s easy to scale up and is always a crowd-pleaser! It’s a quick aperitif to serve when friends pop by, or at your next book club or garden picnic.

How to make a party batch

Speaking of parties, if you’re looking for a cocktail that makes a great party batch, this easy clinker should definitely be on your list. To serve around 6 people, we recommend a batch of at least 12 drinks. This means your recipe will look as follows:

360 ml vodka
360 ml 100% pomegranate juice (purchased or fresh squeezed)
180 ml Grand Marnier
180 ml lemon juice
180 ml simple syrup or maple syrup

Combine all of this in a large serving bowl and add ice just before your guests arrive. To ensure that the drink won’t water down too much, you can prepare a big block of ice by freezing water in a mixing bowl. We recommend adding a few lemon peels if you do – it looks really lovely!

To save even more time, you can also prep your glasses with a lemon peel rim and some pomegranate rubies in the bottom beforehand. Then all you need to do is ladle in and serve.

The origins of the Pomegranate Martini

While the classic Martini is rooted in a history filled with suave, debonair figures and timeless elegance, this variation on the OG is a bit more playful. It’s a modern twist that brings together the chic appeal of a Classic Martini with the bold, vibrant flavours of pomegranate. Its inception is often attributed to the 2000s, when bartenders began experimenting with fresh ingredients and fruit-infused vodka. The result? A cocktail that’s as striking in appearance as it is in taste, offering a sweet-tart profile that feels both sophisticated and fun.

Can I substitute the triple sec?

Absolutely! If you find yourself without triple sec or simply want to mix things up, you can substitute it with Grand Marnier (opens in new window) for a richer, more complex orange flavour. Or try Cinzano Bianco (opens in new window) for a slightly more herbal and refreshing taste. Both options add their own unique twist to the cocktail while maintaining that crucial balance of citrussy goodness. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try adding a splash of Aperol (opens in new window) to introduce a bittersweet element that pairs beautifully with the tart pomegranate.

Also see: Grand Marnier vs. Triple Sec: Which Orange Liqueur Is Right for You?

Garnishes that steal the show

A beautiful cocktail deserves a beautiful garnish! The lemon peel is a classic choice, but if you want to take things up a notch, try floating a few pomegranate arils on the surface of the drink. Not only do they add a pop of colour, but they also provide a tiny burst of juicy flavour with every sip. Another great option is to rim the glass with sugar before serving, using lemon juice to make it stick. This simple step adds a subtle sweetness to each sip and looks stunning on the rim of the glass.

More cocktails to try if you love a Pomegranate Martini

If you’re a fan of this gorgeous drink, you’re in for a treat because there are plenty of other fruit-forward cocktails to explore. Here are a few to get you started:

Aperol Spritz: Light, bubbly, and a touch bitter, this is the perfect aperitif cocktail for a sunny day.
Cosmopolitan: A timeless classic made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. It shares that same tart-sweet balance you love.
Raspberry Martini: Another vibrant and visually appealing cocktail that uses raspberry vodka and fresh raspberries for a fruity delight.

More inspo: Cosmopolitan Variations: Modern Twists on a Classic Cocktail

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Pomegranate arils (also called rubies) are iridescent jewels. These luminous seeds are very tasty, and also look wonderful as a garnish in a cocktail glass. However, it's always a safe bet to remind your guests that these rubies have a stone, so they are careful not to bite down too hard on it by accident and damage a tooth or a crown.

It contains vodka, pomegranate juice, triple sec, and lemon juice.

The rich sweet flavour of pomegranate makes it a natural partner for salty spicy foods. Add a little fizz with soda water or bubbly for a delicious spritz to serve with jalapeño poppers, spicy nachos or other party snacks. The natural tartness of the fruit will a drink containing pomegranate juice will help balance rich foods, a good match for a curry!

The fruity tartness of pomegranate juice would make vodka, gin or tequila a good match

While any good-quality vodka will work, using a premium vodka like SKYY Vodka will give you a smoother, cleaner taste. For those who prefer a flavoured option, pomegranate or citrus-infused vodkas can add an extra layer of flavor that complements the juice perfectly.

Yes, you can easily make a mocktail version! Simply swap out the vodka for a bit more pomegranate juice and use a non-alcoholic orange-flavoured syrup in place of the triple sec. This way, you still get that delicious, fruity flavour without the alcohol content.