Pomegranate Martinis and Margaritas

The Problem with Pomegranates
Pomegranates. I’ve got a lot of them. When I was a kid, pomegranates weren’t the craze they are now and they could be hard to find. I remember my grandmother would get so excited when we were over and she had a pomegranate that we could open and pick apart.

I have always liked pomegranates but they were kind of a one time deal. Once I ate one I was good. I didn’t need to have a stash. These days, thanks to the wonderful people of POM, if I need the seeds or juice for any recipe, I can go downstairs and grab some anytime.

Flashback about 3 years when we bought our current house. Among the various trees that came with the property was a rather funky looking pomegranate tree (though frankly it looks more like a large shrub). We pruned it and watered it and basically left it alone. The next year we got a couple pomegranates before they split. Last year was the same. This year? Three bushels. I have pomegranates coming out of my ears.

So, what to do with them? We ate some. We froze some. We gave some away. Our chickens get to eat the ones that split and spread seeds all over the ground but we still have too many to handle.

I don’t want to waste them especially since my kids and I braved the 3 inch spikes on the branches to pick them. (Note to self: When picking pomegranates, wear chain mail to prevent turning your person into a pincushion. We were a sad looking bunch when we were finished.) So, I have decided we will drink them. Preferably with alcohol (for me anyway). It’s medicinal. Gotta make sure those pokes heal and don’t get infected.

Here are a few possibilities:

Pomegranate Martini
Yields one drink

Ingredients
1.5 ounces Vodka
1 ounce Cointreau or Triple Sec (orange liqueur)
2 ounces Pomegranate Juice botttled or fresh
Sparkling wine or champagne
Lemon peel and pomegranate seeds for garnish

Directions
Chill Glass. Pour ingredients into your shaker. Add 6-8 Ice cubes. Shake it! Strain your cocktail into the chilled glass with ice and top with champagne.

Garnish with a lemon peel and some pomegranate seeds

Pomegranate Margaritas
Recipe adapted from Tyler Florence
Yields 2 drinks

Ingredients
1/4 cup pomegranate juice, store bought or fresh
1/3 cup Tequila Blanco (about 4 ounces)
1/8 cup Triple Sec (about 1-ounce)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 ounces)
12 ounces ice cubes
Margarita salt, optional
Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Directions
Combine all the liquid ingredients in a blender and pulse until frothy and well combined. Using a lime wedge, rim the glasses with lime juice. Dip in margarita salt, drop some fresh pomegranate seeds in the bottom of the glass and pour margarita mix over the top.

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