Pomegranate Fizz

A delicious blend of pomegranate juice, lime, elderflower water and tonic.
by Erin Henderson
I take part in cocktail hour just about everyday. There's something so civilized about taking a moment to wind down the work day, before scurrying off to the evening's activity.
A well-crafted drink and small bite to accompany it, well, to me, that's the heart of gracious living.
Cocktail hour is a family affair, not just a meeting for imbibers. Years ago, we started inviting the kids to apéro; it got them off their devices, away from their video games, and a way to learn more about their days, other than the unenthusiastic, monotone, "good," that was the standard response when asking how school went.
We served the kids proper non-alcoholic cocktails, well crafted, in good glassware. They loved it. And the small act of treating them with adult gloves meant they were more likely to unplug and join us for a little conversation. Win-win.
Of course, we have had friends who are, at various times and for various reasons, teetotalling. We've always offered them the same stylish cocktail, sans alcohol, as we would any drinker.
This is one I came up with when facing a glut of seasonal pomegranates and the juice to go with them.
Pomegranate Fizz
While this is certainly delicious sans alcohol, it's also excellent with a little fortification. Gin, elderflower liquer, and/or sparkling wine all work beautifully here.
Makes: 1 drink
Bartender level: easy
Ingredients:
- 2 oz pomegranate juice
- ¼ oz lime juice
- 2 oz elderflower soda (such as Green Bottle)
- 2 oz tonic water
- Pomegranate arils, for garnish
How to Make It:
- Into a shaker filled with ice, add the pomegranate and lime juices, and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a coup and top with elderflower soda and tonic water.
- Garnish with pom arils and serve.
Alcoholic Additions and Variations
Pomegranate Gin & Tonic
Replace the elderflower soda with elderflower liquer and add in gin, still topping with tonic.
Pomegranate Sparkling
Replace the elderflower soda with elderflower liquer, and instead of topping with tonic and soda, top with dry (brut) sparkling wine.