Cocktail hour doesn’t have to be complicated—especially when you have this blood-orange beauty up your sleeve! Whether you’re toasting the holidays, hosting a cozy book club, or simply winding down after a long week, this zesty and vibrant drink is as easy as it is delightful.
With the help of a ready-made cocktail syrup and the bright addition of pomegranate juice, you’ll enjoy all the flavor (and even a few health perks) without any fuss.
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What You Need to Make It
Cocktail Syrup
I used the Blood Orange Cocktail Syrup from Liquid Alchemist to make this zesty cocktail quick and easy. I recently tried this syrup and love the flavor. It’s made with real blood orange juice, a bit of cane sugar, some acid, and gums to help preserve the flavor.
Why use blood oranges or blood orange syrup to make a cocktail? Blood oranges are vibrant and have a gorgeous color that makes this cocktail fun and festive. They are a bit sweeter than a regular orange and have a hint of a berry flavor.
This cocktail syrup does have some added sugar, but it is made with pure blood orange juice concentrate so it has some natural sweetness. You’ll only use an ounce of the syrup to make this cocktail.
Pomegranate Juice
Pure pomegranate juice is perfect for this cocktail. Its bold red color adds a festive touch and that red color also provides a boatload of antioxidants which may help reduce inflammation and support brain and heart health.
100% pomegranate juice does have a bit of a bitter taste and a little goes a long way. Just an ounce is all you need.
Vodka
I used vodka in this because of its mild (if any) flavor. I didn’t want the alcohol to overpower the drink or compete with the fresh orange and pomegranate flavors. Using it also means you can leave it out to make a refreshing mocktail without compromising the flavor.
Seltzer Water
A little fizz makes this drink refreshing and easy to sip on and take your time drinking. A plain seltzer is best, and if you don’t have seltzer you can substitute club soda in this.
Mint
It’s mostly used as a garnish, but muddling a few mint leaves at the bottom of the glass adds a burst of herbiness, and the splash of green against the red is just so festive!
How to Make The Blood Orange Cocktail
To make a single drink:
This really is easy to make. Pour the pomegranate juice over ice cubes and stir in the blood orange cocktail syrup and vodka. Top it off with seltzer water and stir quickly. Garnish with a sprig of mint!
To make a party batch:
If you are serving this for a crowd, add the juice and cocktail syrup to a pitcher. As your guests arrive or when they are ready for a cocktail, pour 2 – 3 oz into an ice-filled glass. Add the vodka (or skip it if they prefer a mocktail) and pour seltzer over top followed by a quick stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a few pomegranate seeds.
Blood Orange Cocktail with Pomegranate Juice
Equipment
- 1 cocktail jigger
Ingredients
- 1 oz. Blood Orange Cocktail Syrup
- 1 oz. Pomegranate Juice
- 1 oz. Vodka
- 6 oz. Seltzer Water or Club Soda
- 2 sprigs mint
- 1 tsp. pomegranate seeds optional
Instructions
- In a highball or tall cocktail glass, pour blood orange syrup, pomegranate juice, and vodka over ice and stir.
- Pour seltzer water or club soda over the blood orange and pomegranate juice mixture and stir it well.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint and some pomegranate seeds if desired
