Properly Sauced - Pomegranate Not-a-Martini

By Anthony Todd in Food on Jul 17, 2009 6:40PM

At first, we called this refreshing cocktail a “Pomegranate martini.” This nomenclature has become the standard in restaurants and bars all over the nation, as anything served in a martini glass has become a “something-tini.“ Apple-tinis, berry-tinis, chocolate-tinis; it seemed like the trend would never end, so we intended to quietly add our own to the list in the form of the “Pom-tini,” or something equally witty.

Until a fellow writer (we’re not going to say who, except to note that he didn’t like Public Enemy and he has a fondness for rum drunks) vociferously informed us that anything that wasn’t made up of Gin, Vermouth and Olives wasn’t a martini. Vodka might be allowed, but pomegranate juice? He was going to come over to Chicagoist cocktail labs and wreck up the place, and we couldn’t have that.

Anyway, whatever it’s called, it’s tasty. We could make some overblown claim about the health benefits of the life-giving pomegranate fruit, its antioxidants and its deep red color… but mostly, we just want to drink.

2 oz citrus vodka
1 oz Grand Marnier
Juice from 1/2 fresh lemon
2 oz pomegranate juice OR
1 oz pomegranate juice and 1 oz Pama

We prefer straight pomegranate juice to Pama liqueur. If you want an even stronger drink, mix them half and half.

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake vigorously and serve, in a martini glass, with a twist of lemon. If you want a slightly more spirited drink, after shaking the drink, top it with about 1 oz of Rose Prosecco for a Pomegranate Not-A-Martini Sparkler.