Tangy, sweet and fruity, the Pomegranate Margarita is a festive cocktail that can be enjoyed all year long.
The agency was a little cagey about the traveling bartending gig they had sent me on. As the oversized, twin-blade helicopter cut through the snowy winds of the Arctic, I soon laid eyes on my destination… We were landing at the North Pole.
As I hopped out of the whirlybird, keeping my head low below the spinning rotors, activity exploded all around me. Soon I was surrounded by a miniscule and well-trained workforce: elves. Disciplined and no-nonsense, the elves marched me into a whimsical-looking and palatial estate. The sign above the door read SANTA’S WORKSHOP – NO UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS. So, my mysterious one-night-only assignment was for the Kringle himself. I steeled my nerves.
The inside of the workshop was like a Willy Wonka fever dream. Ceilings that disappeared into the sky, filled with glowing fairies flying about like so many fireflies, dropping pixie dust in their wake. Christmas trees as tall as giants, being decorated by polar bears as they enjoyed steaming mugs of hot cocoa… Was I dreaming all of this? Had I been drugged? Did I somehow slip into an alternate dimension of magic and make-believe?
And then he walked right up to me, his red button nose soon pressed firmly against mine. Santa Claus. He was taller than I expected. As he continued to press his snooter into my own, I sensed his steady breath and could smell the faint whiff of peppermint and gingerbread. Had he just eaten, or was this his aftershave I smelled? Despite all the stories and songs written in this legend’s honor, he didn’t really come across as jolly.
“You the booze slinger I hired? Good! I want something that doesn’t have cream or any Christmas flavors in it. I get a little tired of that.”
I was unsure how to answer, although I did manage to squeak out one nervous word. “Margaritas?”
Santa stopped in his tracks, pondering for a minute. “I had the agency send you here because my regular bartender can’t make anything except for a Christmas Martini. They’re good, but I’ve been jonesing for something different. Seems like they sent me the right person for the job.”
He finally smiled. “A Margarita sounds perfect. But not just any Margarita… I want a Pomegranate Margarita. We got plenty of ’em up here, and it still keeps with the whole festive thing. Cool?”
So there I was, at the North Pole, working randomly for one night making Santa Claus Pomegranate Margaritas. I could never tell a single soul about this either. Who would believe it? And based on how Mr. Claus smiled after each sip of the tart, cranberry-like Southwestern tipple I supplied him with, I was pretty sure there’d be no coal in my stocking this year.
What Is The Best Tequila To Use In A Pomegranate Margarita?
Pomegranate has a full-bodied and tangy flavor. Like I mentioned in the story above, the fruit can favor the taste of cranberries. You’ll want to choose a tequila that won’t fight or clash with the robust notes from the pomegranate. Most margaritas are mixed with silver, or blanco, tequila, and this recipe is no different in that regard. The clear color of the spirit and peppery, smooth taste will meld beautifully with the other ingredients, giving a balanced and refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients
- Sea salt for rimming the glass
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces pomegranate juice
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Prep your margarita glass by running a slice of lime around the rim of the glass, then turn your glass upside down and press the rim into a plate sprinkled with salt. Place ice cubes into the glass.
- Add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, pomegranate juice and some ice to your cocktail shaker.
- Shake well for 15–20 seconds.
- Strain into your prepped glass. Garnish with a lime slice and sprinkle over some pomegranate seeds if desired.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?
Salt the rim of a sizable and wide-mouthed margarita glass. Once your drink is poured in, pop a lime wedge on it and a few pomegranate seeds on top for some pizzazz.
WHAT IS THE BEST TRIPLE SEC TO USE?
By and large, the general consensus amongst cocktail enthusiasts is that Cointreau is the “best” triple sec to use in mixed drinks. The orange liqueur is a mainstay in any Margarita you make, and while Cointreau, along with the top-shelf Grand Marnier, is very, very good, there are other brands to choose from that are just as tasty. Patrón Citrónge, De Kuyper, Bols and Merlet all make wonderful triple secs, so don’t think about it too hard when choosing what to purchase.
Pomegranate Margarita Variations
When you request a Margarita to drink, are you ever asked “What kind?” Does it confuse you? Are you indecisive? There are a lot of different Margaritas that exist, so unless you want a classic Margarita, check these recipes out for some colorful takes on the iconic drink.
- Margarita Jell-O Shots – Looking for some little ‘Ritas to serve at your next party? Here you go!
- Virgin Margarita – Need an alcohol-free recipe this weekend? Here’s one of the best.
- Frozen Margarita – One of the most popular versions of the classic cocktail.
- Cucumber Margarita – Here’s a concoction that’s both refreshing and spicy.
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