Pomegranate Bourbon Smash

The math in my head says holidays = pomegranates. I don’t make the rules, I just execute. So here’s my ode to this classic holiday fruit: The Pomegranate Bourbon Smash. It might just be the perfect holiday cocktail.

Because pomegranate juice on it’s own can give you that really attractive Sour Patch Kid face, I thought I’d mix it with some fresh-squeezed orange and lemon juice to balance things out. And then we have our beloved bourbon. Oaky. Vanilla-y. Caramel-y. Shake it up with all these fresh fruit juices and an ounce of maple syrup and you, my friend, have yourself the perfect holiday cocktail.

Watch Me Mix It

Mix It With Me

1. In a cocktail shaker, add the pomegranate juice, bourbon, maple syrup, orange juice, and lemon juice.
2. Add ice and shake.
3. Strain into two glasses filled with ice.
4. Garnish with pomegranate arils, star anise and/or a sprig of rosemary.
5. Optional: Top with sparkling water or prosecco to spritz up your pomegranate cocktail!

Why I’m Always Squeezing My Own Fruit Juice

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until the day that I die — if it’s not fresh-squeezed, I don’t want it! I’m mostly talking about citrus that I use in so many of my cocktails, like orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice. And that’s because it’s just so much better. Fresh-squeezed has a much stronger citrusy aroma that just gets lost with the bottled stuff. It’s more vibrant, which is really want you want in a cocktail — something to cut the alcohol and balance any sweetness you’re adding.

You might be able to get away with bottled juice when you’re cooking (it is rather convenient, I have to admit) but when mixing a fresh cocktail with very few ingredients, fresh-squeezed is the only way to go. Plus, fresh-squeezed juice has more vitamin C and antioxidants than heat-treated bottle juice. I’m not claiming cocktails are a health tonic or anything, but it sure doesn’t hurt to give your immune system a little boost while sipping on something you mixed up yourself.