Pomegranate Gin and Tonic
This sweet, tart Pomegranate Gin and Tonic is a festive twist on a classic cocktail. Made with gin, tonic water, and pomegranate juice, this simple pomegranate cocktail comes together in just minutes. Perfect for holiday celebrations!
An Easy Holiday Cocktail
Traditional gin and tonics are one of my go-to drinks throughout the year, perfectly light and refreshing. I love the unique flavor of gin, with its citrusy, mildly bitter, pine-like taste, paired with a big squeeze of lime. But sometimes even the classics need a little twist.
This Pomegranate Gin and Tonic is my festive winter twist on this great cocktail. It keeps all the best parts of a traditional G&T – gin, tonic water, and lime – while adding in a splash of pomegranate juice that not only gives the cocktail a beautiful color, but a flavor that’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
Add a few pomegranate arils and a rosemary sprig for some festive holiday flair, and this pomegranate cocktail is worthy of sharing with company – and still takes only a few minutes to prepare!
We served this gorgeous cocktail at our Friendsgiving gathering a few weeks ago, along with a great big holiday charcuterie board. This G&T made for a merry start to the holiday season upon us.
What You’ll Need
You’ll need just a few ingredients to prepare this easy pomegranate gin cocktail!
- Pomegranate juice – Look for natural, pure pomegranate juice.
- Gin – Any gin you already enjoy will work.
- Lime juice – Freshly squeezed is a must!
- Simple syrup – You can make your own by boiling equal parts sugar and water, or simply buy some at the store.
- Tonic water – Use a good quality tonic water. I prefer the non-diet varieties.
- Ice
- Garnishes – Pomegranate arils, rosemary sprigs, and lime wedges can all be used for garnishes as desired.
What’s the best gin for a gin and tonic?
There’s always much debate over what gin is best for a gin and tonic and my answer is – the one you like the most. Tanqueray is an obvious contender, if only for its popularity and accessibility. It, along with other London dry gins like Bombay Sapphire will give you a very classic gin & tonic flavor. Different gins are made with different botanicals, so the flavor of your cocktail will vary based on the gin you choose.
For me, I’m a Hendrick’s gin fan. I also like to use the beautiful Botanist gin and my local Minnesota favorite, Prairie Organic Spirits.
Are tonic water and club soda the same thing?
Tonic water and soda water are not the same. While club soda and seltzer water can be used interchangeably, tonic water is different. Tonic water is made with dissolved quinine and has a distinct, bitter flavor. It’s also sweetened a bit, unlike club soda which is typically used as a low-calorie drink.
How to Make a Pomegranate Gin and Tonic
This holiday cocktail is simple to make!
- Add ingredients to a glass. Add the crushed iced and some pomegranata arils to a glass. Pour in the pomegranate juice, gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Top with the tonic water. Give a little stir to combine.
- Garnish & serve. Garnish with more pomegranate arils, a rosemary sprig, and a lime wedge. Serve immediately.
Tips for Success
A few tips for the best pomegranate G&T!
- Use a good quality tonic. Just as important as using a decent gin is using a quality tonic water. Your cocktail will only taste as good as the ingredients you put into it, it’s true!
- Serve extra cold. Don’t be shy on the ice in this drink – you can even shake it in a shaker before adding the tonic water if you want.
- Don’t forget the lime. A squeeze of fresh lime juice is essential to a traditional gin and tonic – including this one with a pomegranate twist!
Other Gin and Tonic Variations
G&Ts are one of my go-to cocktails, so naturally I’ve played with a few variations. While I think this pomegranate gin and tonic is perfect for the holidays, here are a few other alternatives if you want to get creative with your gin and tonic but aren’t a fan of pomegranate.
- Strawberry Gin and Tonic. This is my go-to gin and tonic for summer months, made with fresh strawberry puree. If you can find some beautiful strawberries this time of year, this drink would be a bright welcome to any holiday party!
- Cranberry Gin and Tonic. Another gin and tonic that’s perfect for the holiday season! With this version, I sway a little further from the traditional cocktail in that I do not include lime juice. Instead, I use sweet, in-season clementine (or orange) juice with cranberry juice. It’s a favorite holiday cocktail that I’ve been serving for many years!
More Holiday Drink Ideas:
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Pomegranate Gin and Tonic
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pomegranate juice
- 2 ounces gin
- 1.5 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 4 ounces tonic water
- crushed ice
- pomegranate arils
- rosemary sprig
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Add crushed ice and some pomegranate arils to a glass. Pour pomegranate juice, gin, lime juice, and simple syrup over the ice, followed by the tonic water. Give a little stir to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with a few more pomegranate arils, a rosemary sprig, and a lime wedge or two.
Nutrition Information:
This Pomegranate G & T is delicious! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes.
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