Pomegranate Cinnamon Margarita

I love a margarita. Probably more than most people. When it’s not Margarita Day or Cinco de Mayo, I’m still sipping margaritas. When it’s cold and rainy or even snowy outside, I’m still sipping margaritas. I love margaritas so much that I spend a lot of my time thinking and dreaming of new ways to enjoy it. Like this Pomegranate Cinnamon Margarita!

For the holidays, I wanted festive flavors without losing the easy-sipping tarty saltiness of my beloved margarita, which has a base of tequila, triple sec (or Cointreau), and lime juice. I add a little pomegranate juice, which brings the tart level up to a 10, but then mellow it out with homemade cinnamon syrup. I love my margarita on the rocks with salt, but this holiday margarita gets a little extra festive rim with a mix of salt and cinnamon. Enjoy!

Watch Me Mix a Pomegranate Margarita

Make it With Me

1. Add tequila, cointreau, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake.
2. Rim a glass with lime juice and dip in salt and cinnamon. Add ice and set aside.
3. Strain from the cocktail shaker into the prepared glass.
4. Garnish with fresh cranberries or pomegranates, rosemary, and/or a lime wheel. Enjoy!

Make Your Own Cinnamon Syrup

Making your own flavored syrup could not be easier. For this cinnamon syrup, just put 1 cup water + 1 cup sugar on medium heat along with 4-5 cinnamon sticks and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes to extract the flavor. Remove it from heat and let the cinnamon steep for 15–30 minutes depending on how strong you want it. Strain out the cinnamon sticks and let it cool. Use some in your holiday margarita and store the rest covered in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. That’s it!

Optional: Toast the cinnamon sticks in the dry pot before adding water and sugar to boost the warm, spicy aroma.

Pomegranate Cinnamon Margarita Fountain, Anyone?

Let your holiday showstopper be a margarita fountain! This recipe makes approximately 18 drinks and if you don’t have a fountain this year, you can still serve it into glasses from the pitcher (but go ahead and add the fountain to your Christmas list). You’ll need:

• 4 cups tequila, or Mezcal (or 2 cups tequila + 2 cups Mezcal for a split base!)
• 1.5 cups orange liqueur
• 2 cups pomegranate juice
• 1.5 cups fresh lime juice
• 1 cup cinnamon syrup (see above)
• 1/2 cup filtered water for dilution

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a pitcher, or split between two, and mix together.
2. Place in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours to properly chill before serving.
3. Pour in your fountain or add to a punch bowl.
4. Let your guests rim their glasses with salt, fill their glasses with ice, and pour in their cocktail.
5. Make a garnish bar with cinnamon sticks, pomegranate arils, lime wheels, etc. Get creative!