By twistandtoastMar 22, 2024Jump to Recipe

Ring in the holidays with this beautiful red cocktail—the Pomegranate Margarita—that boasts all the personality of the original margarita with the fruity fun of pomegranate!

Pomegranate Margarita Recipe featured image above

What do you drink when you want some south-of-the-border fun while gathered round the Christmas tree? Pomegranate Margaritas, that’s what! These cocktails are always a hit at parties over the holidays. They look the part and taste great—and they give me something else to use pomegranates for besides eating the seeds as-is.

The original Margarita was created by socialite Margaret Sames in 1948 when she mixed for her guests tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau at a party in Acapulco, Mexico. The drink was a hit. Soon people all over Texas and Hollywood were whipping up “Margaritas,” even concocting their own take on the popular cocktail. This Pomegranate Margarita is one such variation. It brings a fruitiness to proceedings and a ruby-red color that lends itself to Christmas celebrations. It also helps that pomegranates are in season during this time of year.

The Pomegranate Margarita is similar to your traditional Spicy Margarita or Cadillac Margarita but have that seasonal kick to it. Plus, they’re fruitier than their cousins, which I would say are more savory. Because of this, you can go all in on the sweetness by adding honey or maple syrup. And as you’re probably enjoying one over the holidays, why not add a bit of club soda for a sparkling good time!

What is the Best Tequila to Use?

Silver tequila is what you’re after. It should be easy to track down and it lets the ruby redness of the pomegranate to shine through. Gold tequila, on the other hand, will give your cocktail a brown tone, which… isn’t ideal. At least, not at Christmas. And while you won’t be drinking this tequila straight, you still shouldn’t cheap out when deciding which brand to go with. Tequila, I find, is one of those spirits that has a huge gulf in taste when comparing average varieties with “the good stuff.” In other words, you’ll get what you pay for. With that in mind, treat yourself (and your guests) to some high class margaritas.

Pomegranate Margarita Recipe ingredients

Print Recipe

Servings

Ingredients

2 oz. tequila
1 oz. triple sec
2 oz. pomegranate juice
1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
ice
sea salt for rimming the glass
lime wedge (for garnish)
pomegranate seeds optional

Instructions

Prep your glass by running a slice of lime around the glass's rim, then turn the glass over into a plate sprinkled with salt.
To your cocktail shaker add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, pomegranate juice and a small portion of ice.
Vigorously shake for 15–20 seconds.
Strain the mixture into your prepped glass. Garnish with a lime slice and sprinkle some pomegranate seeds if you prefer.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcal | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Iron: 0.02mg

Tips & Tricks to Making the Perfect Pomegranate Margarita

Use fresh ingredients to enhance the flavor of your cocktail. Don’t opt for store-bought lime juice, as it can contain added sugars.
Speaking of which, mix in some sugar with the salt for your rim, if you prefer a sweeter taste.
When in doubt, keep shaking. You want those ingredients fully mixed.
If you want to make a pitcher/jug of margaritas, this recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
If you don’t have triple sec, use Cointreau, which is a brand of orange liqueur.

Pomegranate Margarita Recipe featured image below

FAQs

What glass and garnish should I use?

Maybe I’m being a traditionalist but I serve my margaritas in a margarita glass. I then rim it with a mix of salt and sugar. For garnish, I hang a lime wedge and drop a few pomegranate seeds in the drink for good measure.

How do I store a Pomegranate Margarita?

If you have leftovers, pour them into a mason jar or other such airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you want to have some more, prep your glasses as described above and pour in the mix. Garnish and then enjoy!

How much calories in a standard Pomegranate Margarita?

There are about 130 calories in a pomegranate margarita—a bit on the high side but that’s due to the sweetness of fruit juices (and the alcohol, I suppose). Forgo the sugar rim and stick to fresh juices if you want to keep this number in check.

Is pomegranate good for you?

Yep, like most fruit, pomegranate is good for you. It’s chock-full of vitamins and minerals, plus antioxidants and fiber. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is said to aid in memory (though mixing it with alcohol may negate this particular benefit).

What sort of salt should I use for the rim?

Go with sea salt, and avoid any salts with added iodine. For texture’s sake, go with a salt with a fine grain; you don’t want boulders of the stuff hitting your lips every time you go for a sip.

Pomegranate Margarita Variations

I have numerous variations of the original margarita over here at Twist and Toast. In this one, though, I’ve tried to come up with variations that suit the Pomegranate Margarita, in particular. Give them a try!

For a frozen margarita, blend all the ingredients, including the ice, in the blender until it’s smooth. Perhaps not the most appropriate drink for the holiday season if you live away from the equator but a lovely one to sip on come summertime!

If you’re the designated driver at your festive affair, make a mocktail by skipping the tequila and triple sec and adding more pomegranate juice and ginger ale or club soda.

While not a winter cocktail, the Apple-Cider Margarita is pretty close (I think of it as a fall drink). Just add apple cider to the rest of the ingredients and include a dash or two of ground cinnamon for the rim.