Pomegranates have been around since 2,000 BC and are a part of countless myths, religious rites, and legends. In 2002, pomegranates had a resurgence in the gourmet restaurant industry and popped up on menus all over the United States, then trickled down to specialty supermarkets and into the home. One of the best ways to use the pomegranate is in beverages, especially mixed with alcohol.
They are high in calcium, fiber, potassium, three types of polyphenols that are strong antioxidants, and are low in calories. Pomegranates are also easy to prepare and create juice out of. You can purchase the concentrated juice at specialty markets, or else you can buy the pomegranates and extract the seeds and juice yourself.
Preparing Pomegranates
Pomegranates are fairly simple to prepare. First, cut off the pointy ends of the pomegranates, then cut the pomegranate into section like an orange. Place these sections in a bowl of water than carefully remove the seeds from the pomegranate.
Throw away the skin and just let the seeds rinse in the bowl of water. Toss the seeds into a strainer and dry out on a paper towel. You can crush these into juice in a bowl, or else eat them whole and use the seeds as garnishes.
Pure Pomegranate Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mashed pomegranate seeds
- Sugar
- 1 tablespoon whole pomegranate seeds
- 3 ounces of vodka
Making the Martini:
- Mash up two cups of the pomegranate seeds in a bowl until they are primarily juice with some pulp (or use concentrated pomegranate juice).
- In a martini shaker,combine the mashed pomegranates, the pomegranate juice and the vodka. Shake thoroughly.
- Wet the rim of the martini glass and dip it into a plate of sugar to create a coated rim.
- Strain into a martini glass, and make sure to get some of the pulp in there.
- Drop in the tablespoon of whole pomegranate seeds for added flavor.
Pomegranate Champagne
Ingredients:
- Champagne
- Pomegranate syrup
- Pomegranate seeds
- 1/2 an orange
Making the Pomegranate Champagne:
- Fill the glass 3/4 full of champagne.
- Add 1.5 tablespoons of the pomegranate syrup into the champagne, and stir around a couple times.
- Squeeze the juice of a whole orange into the champagne glass.
- Grate some of the orange rind into the glass and use an orange peel twist as the garnish.
- Drop in a tablespoon of the pomegranate seeds to some crunch and fizzy flavor.
Sweet Pomegranate Margaritas
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of pomegranate juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup Corona beer
- 1 cup tequila
Mixing the Margarita
- Mash up the pomegranate seeds (or use concentrated pomegranate juice) and fill an ice cube tray. Freeze until solid ice cubes.
- Add all the cubes but three to a blender along with the lime juice, lemon juice, Corona and tequila. Blend until smooth.
- Dip the edge of the margarita glass in salt if desired, and fill with the pomegranate margarita.
- Toss in the remaining pomegranate ice cubes.
These are just a few of the simple pomegranate cocktails you can create. Experiment a little with different alcohols, such as gin with mashed pomegranate, or tequila with pomegranate juice and orange liquor. Enjoy the feeling of boosting your immune system, mood, and chances with that cute guy or girl when you offer them a unique cocktail made with pomegranates (definitely beats out the Red Bull and Vodka cocktail)!
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