Pomegranate Rosemary Spritzer

At a glance

What stands out: With a festive crimson color, sweet-tart flavor, earthy herbal notes, and irresistible effervescence, this pomegranate spritzer is the reliable mocktail to add to any holiday table!

How long it takes: 25 minutes (including 15 minutes steeping time for syrup)
Equipment you’ll need: small saucepan, highball glasses
Servings: 4

Your New Signature Drink?

A signature drink is that reliable little way to go the extra mile when you’re hosting a party. Back in the day, it used to be a given that any signature drink would be a cocktail, but lately more and more people are embracing mocktails.

This recipe is kind of like the flip-side to our cranberry thyme spritzer. Tart lime juice and ruby red pomegranate juice replace the cranberry juice/orange juice combo, and instead of thyme, we use rosemary, which adds more of a woodsy pine flavor. Serve both mocktails at your next get-together and now you’ve REALLY got a holiday party!

What makes it special:

• No fancy equipment needed: Just pour and stir — no shaker or strainer required.
• Batch-friendly: Makes four servings, straightforward to double or triple for a party.
• Festive and flexible: Whether you serve the pomegranate spritzer as a mocktail, or add a splash of gin or vodka, this is a festive drink everyone will enjoy!

What goes in

• Water and granulated sugar: To make the simple syrup, you need these two basic ingredients which form the base. Simple syrup can be infused with many different flavors, adding complexity to cocktails and mocktails.
• Fresh rosemary sprigs: The fresh herbs are infused into the syrup, giving it a fragrant aroma and herbaceous flavor. Save extra sprigs of rosemary for garnish too!
• Ice cubes: Fresh ice is a must. Another option is to freeze pomegranate juice in an ice cube tray. When you add them to the spritzers, they won’t water down your drink as they melt.
• Pomegranate juice: Use 100% pomegranate juice for a standby flavor. (we also love it in this pomegranate mojito recipe.)
• Lime juice: Don’t use bottled lime juice here! Freshly squeezed lime juice is worth the (little) effort since it has a more vibrant flavor.
• Sparkling water: You can use plain or lime-flavored sparkling water (such as Spindrift). Make sure it’s chilled!
• Pomegranate arils: We like to add the arils for a garnish, along with a sprig of rosemary. You can buy a fresh pomegranate or pick up a little container of arils from the refrigerator case in the produce section at your grocery store.

How it comes together

Make the simple syrup. Stir together the water, sugar, and rosemary in a saucepan set over medium heat. Once the sugar dissolves and the liquid just starts to simmer, pull the pan off the heat. Let the rosemary steep in the syrup for 15 minutes, then discard the herbs. When the syrup is cool, transfer it to an airtight container or jar, and refrigerate. It will keep for up to a week.

Prepare. Add ice cubes to 4 highball glasses. About halfway full is reliable!

Pour. Evenly divide the pomegranate juice into the glasses (2 ounces per glass). Add 1 tablespoon of lime juice, along with 1 tablespoon of simple syrup to each glass. Top with the sparkling water.

Finish. Stir gently—stir too much and your spritzers won’t be as fizzy!—and garnish with a sprig of rosemary and pomegranate arils. Serve immediately.

Straightforward Recipe Variations

• Give it a kick. Add 1.5 ounces of gin or vodka to each glass if you want to turn this mocktail into a pomegranate spritzer cocktail. Gin pairs beautifully with the rosemary in this drink.
• Swap in another herb. Thyme would also be rich in this cocktail, or try sprigs of lavender or sage.
• Make it in a pitcher. If you want to make a big batch for a party, double or triple the ingredients. Add everything except the ice and the sparkling water to a pitcher. When you’re ready to serve, pour the juice mixture into glasses over ice, then top off with the sparkling water, and garnish.

What to Serve With Spritzers

• Party appetizers. We think butternut squash crostini with ricotta and slow cooker spinach artichoke dip go well with pomegranate spritzers. These sausage pinwheels and bacon wrapped water chestnuts are good choices. The flavor of the spritzers would complement whipped feta, as well. A cheese or charcuterie board is always a good idea, and you could dress it up with sprigs of rosemary and pomegranate arils.
• Holiday favorites. If you’re serving these spritzers for dinner, they’re excellent alongside classics like herb roasted turkey breast and vanilla bean mashed sweet potatoes.
• Other festive sips. Put together a drink menu with cranberry margaritas, apple cider mules, and hot white Russians for those who prefer a creamy warm cocktail.

Keeping leftovers

Store the rosemary simple syrup in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If you mix the pomegranate spritzer base in a pitcher ahead of time, that will last a day or two in the fridge.

• Yield: 4
• Prep: 5 minutes
• Cook: 5 minutes
• Total: 25 minutes

Ingredients

For Simple Syrup:

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 fresh rosemary sprigs

For Mocktails:

• ice cubes
• 1 cup 100% pomegranate juice, chilled
• 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 1 cup sparkling water, chilled (plain or lime-flavored)

Optional Garnishes:

• 4 teaaspoons pomegranate arils
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary (one for each glass)

Method

1. Combine the water, granulated sugar, and 3 rosemary sprigs in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture just begins to simmer, then remove from the heat.
2. Let the simple syrup stand 15 minutes to steep (the flavor of the rosemary will infuse the simple syrup).
3. After 15 minutes, discard the rosemary and cool the syrup completely. The syrup can be refrigerated for up to 1 week (we use a small jar with a lid.)
4. When ready to serve, fill four highball glasses halfway with ice cubes.
5. Divide the pomegranate juice evenly among the glasses (2 ounces per glass). Add 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1 tablespoon rosemary syrup to each glass. Top with the sparkling water (about 2 ounces per glass).
6. Stir gently, then garnish each drink with a rosemary sprig and a spoonful of pomegranate arils. Serve immediately.

Notes

Make-ahead tip: The rosemary syrup can be refrigerated for one week; mix the drinks right before serving to keep the sparkle lively. There will be enough simple syrup to make two batches of spritzers (8 servings).

Adding alcohol: If desired, add 1.5 ounces gin or vodka per serving to this mocktail. Gin would pair excellently with the rosemary.

Make a pitcher (8 servings): You’ll need 2 cups pomegranate juice, ½ cup lime juice, and ½ cup simple syrup. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, fill 8 glasses with ice, divide the juice mixture evenly between the glasses, and top each glass with sparkling water, about 2 ounces per glass.