This Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail is festive and perfect for the holidays! It's made with white rum, lime juice, fresh mint, and club soda.
This Pomegranate Mojito puts a fun twist on a classic cocktail. A mojito is a Cuban cocktail prepared with rum, lime, mint, and sugar. This version is made with pomegranate juice, giving it a seasonal flair!
I'm a wine drinker through and through but occasionally enjoy a craft cocktail. There's nothing better than a cold margarita on a hot summer day and I love a warm and toasty Tom and Jerry while celebrating Christmas with family.
I knew I couldn't let this holiday season pass by without a little something to keep our spirits high. The pomegranate is a seasonal fruit that makes a delicious addition to cocktails and mocktails and it just kind of feels like the holidays.
I've spent the past few years bartending at a cocktail bar on the weekends and have learned a thing or two a crafting a cocktail. It's important that all of the ingredients complement each other in order to create a balanced flavor.
This mojito is bright and flavorful. It has a great balance of sweet, tart, and earthy ingredients. The fresh mint adds color and freshness to the drink. It's great for Christmas, New Year's Eve, or anytime.
Jump to:
- What Is A Mojito?
- Ingredients For Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail
- What Is The Best Rum For Mojitos?
- How To Make Simple Syrup
- How Long Does Simple Syrup Last?
- Which Pomegranate Juice Is Best For Mojitos?
- How To Cut A Pomegranate
- How To Make A Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail
- What To Serve With Pomegranate Mojitos
- Can It Be Made Without Alcohol?
- Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail
What Is A Mojito?
A mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail that is technically a member of the fizz cocktail family, which consist of a base alcohol, an acid or sour, a sweetener, plus the addition of carbonated water.
It's simple as far as cocktails go - A classic mojito contains only five ingredients: Rum, lime juice, simple syrup, mint, and club soda.
The only difference with this version is the addition of pomegranate juice and pomegranate seeds, technically known as arils.
I find that the pomegranate juice complements the existing ingredients of a classic mojito. It provides the cocktail with a great sweet, tart, and tangy flavor along with a beautiful color.
Ingredients For Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail
Here's what you'll need to make it.
- Pomegranate Juice
- Club Soda
- Lime Juice
- Sugar
- Water
- White Rum
- Fresh Mint
What Is The Best Rum For Mojitos?
When it comes to mojitos, white rum (also known as silver rum) is the best choice.
White rum tends to have a smooth, clean flavor that doesn't overpower the rest of the ingredients.
Dark rum or spiced rum (such as Captain Morgan) may overpower the other ingredients, so it's generally advised to opt for a good quality white rum.
Here are some great white rum choices when making mojitos:
- Flor de Cana Extra Seco 4
- Bacardi Superior White Rum
- Plantation 3 Stars Rum
- Foursquare Probitas Rum
- Havana Club Añejo Blanco Rum
How To Make Simple Syrup
The secret to a good fizz cocktail is to use a good quality liquor and to make sure there is an equal balance of sweet and sour flavor.
One of the best ways to ensure that a cocktail is balanced in flavor is the addition of simple syrup. Simple syrup is made with equal parts sugar and water.
The sugar and water are simmered in a sauce pan on the stove top over low heat just until the sugar dissolves. The result is a sugary syrup that incorporates nicely into any cocktail.
It provides sweetness to any cocktail without making it taste overly sweet. Simple syrup is great because the sugar granules have dissolved in the cooking process and doesn't result in grainy cocktails.
- To make the simple syrup, pour 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar (also known as granulated sugar) into a sauce pan.
- Place the sauce pan on the stove top and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, bring the heat to low and simmer until the sugar has dissolved into the water, stirring often.
- Remove the sauce pan from the stove top as soon as the sugar has dissolved and allow to cool completely.
How Long Does Simple Syrup Last?
The great thing about simple syrup is that a batch of it lasts for a few weeks in the refrigerator if stored properly.
Simple syrup is nice to have on hand during the holiday season, or anytime you plan to whip up a batch of cocktails.
Here are some things to keep in mind when using simple syrup:
- It's essential that the simple syrup cools completely before adding to cocktails or transferring to the refrigerator for storage. Make sure to plan accordingly and allow time for the simple syrup to cool before preparing the cocktails.
- Store the simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's best to use a glass container, such as a mason jar with a tightly sealed lid or any type of clear glass bottle with an airtight lid.
- Always check the simple syrup before using to ensure that it hasn't gone bad. If the simple syrup has gone bad, the bottom of the container may appear cloudy. It will also have an unappealing smell or taste. Make sure to throw it out and make a new batch if you have any concerns at all!
Which Pomegranate Juice Is Best For Mojitos?
When it comes to pomegranate juice, it's best to choose a high quality brand that doesn't come any added sugar.
Pomegranate juice is naturally tart and there are a lot of great brands on the market today. I recommend a brand that is made with 100% pomegranate juice. Some brands are made from concentrate and other are not - Either is fine when making this Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail.
I recommend a brand with a nice balance of sweet and tart flavor. Here are some great brands of pomegranate juice:
- Pom Wonderful
- Lakewood
- 365 Pomegranate Juice
- Great Value Organic
How To Cut A Pomegranate
This cocktail is garnished with pomegranate seeds (also known as arils). The pomegranate arils add a beautiful color and texture to the drink.
Cutting and de-seeding a pomegranate can be a cumbersome and messy process if done incorrectly.
If done properly, cutting and de-seeding a pomegranate is easy to do and won't yield a huge mess.
- Start by slicing the top of the pomegranate with a knife and popping it off like a lid.
- Find the sections of the pomegranate (the sections are marked by the white pith on the inside of the pomegranate).
- Run a knife along the sections on the outside of the pomegranate.
- Pry the pomegranate open (it should open into sections).
- Pry the sections apart and remove the pomegranate arils with your fingers. Place them into a small bowl. You can also turn the pomegranate upside down and tap it with a spoon over a bowl to catch the seeds.
- Once all of the arils have been removed, cover them with water. This allows any extra white pith to float to the top.
- Remove the white pith with a spoon and discard (the white pith tends to be bitter).
- Drain and rinse the pomegranate arils.
Check out this video for more detailed instructions on how to cut a pomegranate.
You can also purchase pre-packaged pomegranate arils in the produce section of your local grocery store if you prefer.
How To Make A Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail
Once all of the components are ready, the cocktail is ready to assemble.
I recommend using a cocktail shaker to prepare this Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail. A cocktail shaker ensures that all of the components are evenly combined and results in a smooth and balanced cocktail.
These instructions yield 1 cocktail. Simply repeat the process as many times as you like depending on how many cocktails you would like to serve.
- Juice 4-5 large limes (this yields ½ cup lime juice).
- Place a few sprigs of fresh mint into a cocktail shaker. Using a cocktail jigger, measure 1 ½ oz. white rum and pour it into the shaker.
- Measure ¾ oz. each of lime juice and simple syrup and pour both into the shaker.
- Add ½ cup of ice to the shaker.
- Place the lid securely on the cocktail shaker and shake it vigorously for 10 seconds.
- Remove the lid and pour the contents of the shaker into a Collins glass (or any tall glass).
- Measure 2 oz. of pomegranate juice and add it to the glass.
- Top the drink with club soda (feel free to add more ice if you'd like).
- Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, extra mint, and some pomegranate arils.
Usually, mojitos are served in a Collins glass or highball. However, you can use any tall glass you have on hand.
Feel free to use cubed or crushed ice to make these pomegranate mojitos.
What To Serve With Pomegranate Mojitos
These Pomegranate Mojitos make for a balanced cocktail that goes great with all kinds of appetizers and party bites.
It's perfect with appetizer dips like this Italian white bean dip, cold spinach artichoke dip, and mushroom tapenade.
Cocktails like this one are perfect served with appetizer bites like these maple spiced roasted nuts, gruyere prosciutto tartlets, feta walnut stuffed dates, and sweet bites like these strawberry mascarpone tartlets or baklava tartlets.
Can It Be Made Without Alcohol?
Absolutely! Feel free to leave out the rum if you'd like to turn this mojito into a mocktail.
Simply prepare the recipe as directed, leaving out the rum for a nonalcoholic version.
Alternately, you can substitute the rum for your favorite nonalcoholic spirit if you prefer.
If you love mocktails check out these recipes!
Love cocktails? Check out these recipes!
Looking For More Holiday Cocktails? Don't Miss These!
Mistletoe Margarita
Christmas Cosmopolitan
Christmas Carajillo Coffee Cocktail
Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz. white rum
- ¾ oz. lime juice
- ¾ oz. simple syrup
- 2 oz. pomegranate juice
- 3 oz. club soda
- 5 fresh mint leaves
- 1 Tbsp. pomegranate arils for garnish
- ½ cup ice cubes
Instructions
For The Simple Syrup:
- Place the sauce pan on the stove top and bring to a boil. Once boiling, bring the heat to low and simmer just until the sugar has dissolved into the water, stirring often.
- Remove the sauce pan from the stove top as soon as the sugar has dissolved and allow to cool completely (this may take up to an hour).
How To Cut and De-Seed A Pomegranate:
- Slice the top of a pomegranate with a knife and pop it off like a lid.
- Find the sections of the pomegranate (the sections are marked by the white pith on the inside of the pomegranate). Run a knife along each section on the outside of the pomegranate.
- Pry the pomegranate open (it should open into sections).Pry the sections apart and remove the pomegranate arils with your fingers. Place them into a small bowl. You can also turn the pomegranate upside down and tap it with a spoon over a bowl to catch the seeds.
- Once all of the arils have been removed, cover them with water. This allows any extra white pith to float to the top. Remove the white pith with a spoon and discard. Drain and rinse the pomegranate arils.
For The Pomegranate Mojito:
- Juice 4-5 large limes (this yields ½ cup lime juice). Feel free adjust the amount of limes depending how much juice you'd like.
- Place a few sprigs of fresh mint into a cocktail shaker. Using a cocktail jigger, measure 1 ½ oz. white rum and pour it into the shaker.
- Measure ¾ oz. each of lime juice and simple syrup and pour both into the shaker. Add ½ cup of ice to the shaker.
- Place the lid securely on the cocktail shaker and shake it vigorously for 10 seconds (this helps to break apart the mint).
- Remove the lid and pour the contents of the shaker into a Collins glass (or any tall glass). Measure 2 oz. of pomegranate juice and add it to the glass.
- Top the drink with club soda (feel free to add more ice if you'd like).
- To Serve: Serve the mojito with extra fresh mint, a lime wheel or wedge, and 1 Tbsp. or so of pomegranate arils.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
I'm making this for the weekend, I bet everyone is going to devour it!
Linda
I'll have to remember this drink come Christmas time but I'm not going to wait until then to make it. I'm pretty much a wine drinker too but margaritas, sea breezes and mojitos are always welcome during our long hot Florida summers. I love the addition of pomegranate juice in this cocktail as well as the addition of club soda for a lighter drink.I'll think of you while sipping away. Cheers!