Pomegranate Cosmo Cocktail Recipe

This pomegranate cosmo is beautifully balanced, vibrant, and delicious. It’s a crowd-pleaser that will get any gathering started.

I adore all variations of the cosmopolitan, but the pomegranate cosmo is my personal favorite. The deep, tart-sweet flavor of pomegranate juice gives the cocktail a richer, more layered profile — robust yet refreshingly crisp.

When guests ask for a cosmo, this is the one most people pick. It’s colorful, elegant, and easy to make, which makes it perfect for parties or a quiet night in. If you enjoy experimenting, other fruit-forward takes such as grapefruit or watermelon cosmopolitans are also worth trying.

I still remember ordering my very first cosmopolitan and assuming it would be too “fru-fru” for my tastes. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Now I’ll gladly choose a thoughtfully made cosmo — especially this pomegranate version.

Helpful tips

• Because vodka is the main spirit here, use a mid-level bottle for best flavor. The difference is noticeable.
• If you want to save money, triple sec works in place of Cointreau, but orange liqueurs like Cointreau are smoother and more refined if your budget allows.
• The pomegranate juice here adds enough sweetness that additional sweetener is generally unnecessary. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add simple syrup in 2 teaspoon increments until it suits your taste.
• When washing citrus, use a mild, unscented soap and rinse with cool water. If desired, scrub the peel gently with a vegetable brush to remove residues before slicing.
• Slice 4 thin lime wheels for garnish. For a decorative touch, slice halfway through one side of a wheel and twist it open to create a small twist on the rim.

How to make a pomegranate cosmo

Pre-step

Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Prepare a measuring cup and two martini glasses so everything is ready when you start mixing.

Step one

Gather the ingredients: vodka, an orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec), fresh lime juice, and pomegranate juice.

Step two

Measure 4 ounces (about 120 ml) of vodka and add it to the shaker.

Step three

Add 1 ounce (about 30 ml) of Cointreau or triple sec to the shaker.

Step four

Squeeze 1 ounce (about 30 ml) of fresh lime juice and add to the shaker.

Step five

Measure 2 ounces (about 60 ml) of pomegranate juice and pour it into the shaker.

Step six

Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds. Shaking breaks the ice into tiny chips that keep the drink very cold and slightly aerated.

Strain the mixture into the two martini glasses, dividing the cocktail evenly. Float two lime wheels in each glass as garnish.

For a vertical view of the finished cocktail, see the photo below.

And here is the overhead view showing the twist and the ice chips.

Now all that’s left is to settle in, raise a glass, and enjoy the balanced, fruity sparkle of this pomegranate cosmo.

Originally published in January of 2016.