Cocktails of the Week: Pomegranate-Inspired

I mentioned last week several ways to use the new food fad pomegranates in your evening meal. Here are a few more alcoholic ways to incorporate them into your life. Put those antioxidants to the test!

Pomegranate Cocktail
This a variation on the many pomegranate cocktails out there. I tinkered with it a bit to balance the tartness of the pomegranate with a little sweetness. Adjust to suit your tastes as you see fit. The club soda is a nice touch--keeps it from being as "powerful" as a lot of vodka cocktails served martini-style.

1 ounce citrus vodka (You could also use a good quality plain vodka if you wanted.)
1 ounce pomegranate juice
1 ounce triple sec (or other orange liqueur)
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1/2 ounce lemon juice
2 ounces club soda
Pomegranate seeds for garnish.

Place first four ingredients in ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake to chill and strain into martini glass. Garnish with several pomegranate seeds.

Of course, you can make a cosmopolitan with pomegranate juice instead of cranberry juice also. Just shake vodka (citrus or plain), pomegranate juice, triple sec, lime juice, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass and enjoy.

Finally, just make it easy on yourself and pour a splash of pomegranate juice into a flute of sparkling wine. Nice holiday twist on the old-fashioned mimosa.

Would love to hear how you put pomegranate juice to use in your favorite cocktails.