This 3 ingredient pomegranate ginger smash is an easy, beautiful, and delicious holiday cocktail. Make just one or two, or make a pitcher for a group of friends with no effort at all!
This post was originally published in December 2016 and has been updated.
The holiday season means lots of festivities, and that means festive cocktails! While I'm typically a wine kind of girl, I'll enjoy a yummy cocktail at parties and special occasions.
And if I'm making a cocktail at home, it needs to be easy, with just a few simple ingredients. (A fun garnish doesn’t hurt either!) This pomegranate ginger smash is one of my favorites, and it's just perfect for the holidays!
Why You'll Love This Pomegranate Ginger Smash
- This cocktail is SO easy to make! All it takes is three simple ingredients and you can make one drink just as easily as you can make a big pitcher for a group.
- It's so pretty and festive for the holidays!
- It's simply delicious. Pomegranate juice and sparkly ginger beer combine to make the perfect fruity, slightly spicy base for this vodka-based cocktail.
Why Pomegranate Juice?
I love using 100% pomegranate juice in this cocktail, not only because of the beautiful color and the less sweet taste, but pomegranate juice is also full of nutrients! Pomegranate juice that's been pressed from the whole fruit (using the skin and the arils) is loaded with potassium, vitamin C, and a variety of antioxidants that are beneficial for so many things, including workout recovery, free radical protection, reduced inflammation, and even possible protection from diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's!
How To Make Pomegranate Ginger Smash Cocktails
These cocktails couldn't be any easier to make. Just stir together the vodka, pomegranate juice, and ginger beer in a large pitcher or drink dispenser. Seriously, that's it. Or mix it up in a single glass if you're just making one.
To Make the Rosemary Ginger Sugar
If you want to get a little fancier, you can make a fun rosemary and ginger-infused sugar for the glass rims. It adds a festive little touch if you're making these for a party. Simply chop some fresh rosemary very finely, grate some fresh ginger with a microplane zester or the finest holes in a grater, then mix them both with some sugar.
To rim the glasses, wet the rims of empty glasses (use water or a lime wedge) and dip them upside-down in the sugar. Then you can fill the glasses with ice and pour drinks!
Can I Make This Drink Without Alcohol?
Yes! To make this pomegranate ginger smash into a mocktail, leave out the vodka and use club soda or sparkling water to cut the sweetness a little bit. You can adjust the amount to suit your taste.
More Holiday Drinks You'll Love
- Tequila Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Sparkling Pear and Pomegranate Sangria
- Cranberry Moscow Mules
- Apple Cider Margaritas
I hope this super easy pomegranate ginger smash makes your holidays just a little bit easier and merrier!
If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating in the comments!
Print3 Ingredient Pomegranate Ginger Smash
This 3 ingredient pomegranate ginger smash is an easy, beautiful, and delicious holiday cocktail. Make just one or two, or make a pitcher for a group of friends with no effort at all!
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 5 cocktails 1x
- Category: cocktail
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For one drink:
- 1 ½ oz 100% pomegranate juice
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz ginger beer
For a pitcher (makes about 5):
- 1 cup 100% pomegranate juice
- ⅔ cup vodka
- ⅔ cup ginger beer
For rosemary ginger sugar:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
Instructions
To make rosemary ginger sugar for the rims (optional):
- Finely chop fresh rosemary and grate fresh ginger. Mix with sugar and place on a small plate.
- Wet the rims of empty glasses and dip them into the sugar mixture.
- Fill glasses with ice.
To make a single drink:
- Add vodka and pomegranate juice to a cocktail glass filled with ice. Add ginger beer and stir. Garnish with rosemary, if you'd like.
For a pitcher:
- Add vodka and pomegranate juice to a pitcher. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Stir in ginger beer just before serving.
Notes
- If you're making a large batch ahead of time, wait until just before serving to add the ginger beer so that it doesn't go flat.
- This recipe can easily be doubled to serve more people.
- To make this pomegranate ginger smash into a mocktail, leave out the vodka and use club soda or sparkling water to cut the sweetness a little bit.
Keywords: pomegranate ginger smash, pomegranate ginger cocktail, easy holiday cocktail
James says
Have made these three times already and came back to get the recipe for a fourth. We all love this drink. We use the ginger root to 'wet' the rim for the sugar to stick. Great recipe, thank you!
★★★★★
Kaleigh says
So glad you like it!
Alina Mancino says
Hi Kaleigh,
Thanks for sharing such a great recipe! we would love to post on our Instagram and credit you. Can you please share you Instagram handle.
★★★★★
Marsha says
Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer
Kaleigh says
Yes!
Melanie says
Gong to make this tomorrow for Thanksgiving. So easy but so elegant! Also those glasses are SO gorgeous!
★★★★★
Kaleigh says
Thanks Melanie, enjoy!
Jessica Zodikoff says
Beautiful and delicious! Where are the glasses from?
Kaleigh says
Thank you Jessica! I believe I got them at Target last year!
Gina says
You had me at ginger beer! And pomegranate juice is the perfect accompaniment!
Kaleigh says
Thanks Gina! It always makes for a great cocktail!
nutritioulicious says
This is such a gorgeous drink! Love using pomegranate juice in cocktails - so pretty and so many health benefits!
Kaleigh says
Thanks Jess, me too! 🙂
Johanna Reyna says
Can i make it without the vodka or will it taste different?
★★★★★
Kaleigh says
Hi Johanna,
Yes, you can make it without the vodka! I recommend cutting the sweetness a little bit with club soda or sparkling water in place of the vodka.
Serena Ball MS, RD (@tspcurry) says
LOVE those cocktail classes. Such a pretty post! Loving the recipe too...
Kaleigh says
Thank you, Serena!