Drink of the Week: Pomegranate Gin Martini

I love pomegranates. I always buy a couple in the fall, take them apart and use the pretty and tart fuchsia-hued seeds in salads throughout the winter and spring (I freeze the lot in a ziplock). I also like pomegranate juice, but rarely buy it because it’s so expensive. I picked up a bottle of Pom juice this past weekend though because I had a cocktail in mind: something tart and tasty with pomegranate and gin and lemon juice. I dubbed my creation a Pomegranate Gin Martini.

Tart and festive, this seasonal sip makes a lovely after-work unwinder.

The key to this drink is achieving the right balance between the pom juice and lemon juice. Too much lemon and it renders the pom impotent; not enough and it takes away the drink’s tart factor. The gin, fortunately, plays nice with both juices and its amount can be raised or lowered depending on how strong you want your drink to be. I think 1-1/2 oz is enough so you’ll taste the gin, but not so much to make you fuzzy. I also love the drink’s colour — it’s beautiful and festive and works very well this time of year.

The pomegranate seeds make a pretty and edible garnish. I didn’t have a sprig of holly so I improvised with sage.

Pomegranate Gin Martini

• 1-1/2 oz gin
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• Juice of half a lemon, or less, to taste
• 1/2 to 3/4 oz simple syrup, to taste
• Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Combine gin, pomegranate juice, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake, then fine-strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.