Perfect for brunch, lunch or whenever you would like something citrusy, sweet and bubbly! And who doesn’t love something bubbly right? This Pomegranate Blood Orange Cocktail is simple, delicious and sure to please.
Blood Oranges
Blood Oranges are one of the most beautiful and flavorful of all the citrus family…they are a feast for the eyes. The season is a short one, even here is California where the seasons seem to overlap. The availability is typically November to March, sometimes a little bit longer. If you have never experienced these beauties, they are seemingly ordinary on the outside but the inside flesh and juice is a deep hue of deep ruby red. When they are ripe, they are perfectly sweet in flavor. The distinctive color in the flesh is from the presence of anthocyanins. Have you ever seen purple veggies like Cauliflower and potatoes? The beautiful hue is anthocyanin at work.
Where do they come from? Blood Oranges have been traced back the 18th century and originate from the southern part of the Mediterranean. The Arancia Rossa, or blood orange is very common in Italy and can be found seasonally. In Sicily, there is a yearly festival at the end of February celebrating the Sicilian grown fruit. You can find everything from appetizers, main courses and desserts. An interesting fact about these is that the color develops only when the temperatures are low at night, very much like in the Mediterranean. If you get the chance, try these gorgeous fruits. They are perfect for salads, cocktails and just for eating!
Pomegranate
Part of our Blood Orange Pomegranate Cocktail is another Winter favorite, the Pomegranate. With an even shorter growing season, these can be found between October and March. These gorgeous, unusual fruits were brought to California by the Spanish around the mid 1700’s. These hail from a vast area that is between what is now Iran and India. Once peeled, this fruit delivers bright red arils or seeds that taste tart and slightly sweet. This is the part that edible and found in so many beautiful dishes and drinks.
For our drink, we use Pomegranate arils as well as a Pomegranate Liquer, Pama. The sweet liquor is a mix of vodka, touch of tequila and pomegranate juice.
Ready to make the cocktail?
You will need fresh orange juice, sparkling white wine or Champagne, Pama, blood oranges and Pomegranate arils.
There are two ways of make this cocktail: The first is for a couple of cocktails: add the Pama liquer to the a 8oz cocktail class, add the orange juice, add a couple of ice cubes, squeeze blood orange juice into the cocktail and top with sparkling wine or Champagne and garnish. The second, to make a large batch, is to combine both the juice, liquer in a shaker filled with ice, squeeze the juice of the blood orange and stir. Pour into cocktail glasses, and top each one with the bubbly and garnishes. And wait for it…cheers! Enjoy it!
Mocktail option
For a mocktail option: Use Pomegranate juice, like POM in place of the liquer, add orange juice, top with Tangerine or Orange Sparkling water and garnish the same.
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
Pomegranate Blood Orange Cocktail
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
- coupe type cocktail glass (optional)
- cocktail picks or toothpicks for garnish
Ingredients
For cocktail
- 1.5 oz Pomegranate Liquor Pama brand suggested
- 1.5 oz orange or blood orange juice
- Champage or sparkling white wine to top cocktail
- 1/4 whole Blood Orange fresh
For garnish
- 1/4 whole Blood Orange cut into small wedges or segments
- 10 arils Pomegranate arils (seeds) separated
- Citrus leaves optional, shown in photograph
Instructions
For 1 or 2 cocktails
- In an 8oz coupe cocktail glass with a couple of ice cubes add the Pomegranate liquer, then the orange juice, then top with champagne or sparkling white wine.
- Squeeze fresh blood orange juice on top, garnish with blood orange wedge and pomegranate arils and serve.
For a large batch
- In a pitcher or large shaker with ice, add the Pomegranite liquer, then the orange juice. Stir to combine.
- Pour into cocktail glasses.
- Top each one with champagne or sparkling white wine.
- Top each one with a fresh squeeze of blood orange juice.
- Garnish with blood orange wedge and pomegranate arils and serve.
For a mocktail
- In a glass with ice, add Pomegranate juice (like Pom), add orange juice, top with sparkling water (Tangerine or Orange flavored).
- Add a squeeze fresh blood orange juice. Garnish with a wedge blood orange, pomegranate arils and serve.
- Note: You can adjust Pama or Pomegranate juice (mocktail) and Orange juice to suit your taste.
Notes
Nutrition
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
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