Pomegranate Mocktail

Before you start

Pomegranate juice is naturally tart, deep red and slightly tannic, which gives this sparkler more backbone than most fruit mocktails. Pure, unsweetened juice is the key; pomegranate cocktail blends are mostly other juices and sugar. A squeeze of lime sharpens it, a little honey syrup softens the tannin, and soda water opens it up into a long, refreshing drink.

Fresh arils make the drink. They sink and bob in the bubbles and burst with juice when you bite them. Seeding a pomegranate is easy under water: the seeds sink and the bitter white pith floats, so there is no mess or staining.

Ingredients

• 75 ml (2½ oz) 100% pomegranate juice — unsweetened
• 15 ml (½ oz) fresh lime juice
• 10 ml (2 tsp) honey syrup (1:1) — honey dissolved in an equal amount of warm water
• 120 ml (4 oz) soda water — chilled
• 1 tbsp fresh pomegranate arils
• 1 lime wheel or mint sprig — for garnish

Method

1. To seed the pomegranate, score the skin into quarters, then break it apart in a bowl of cool water. Push the arils loose with your fingers; they sink, and the pith floats. Skim the pith and drain the arils.
2. Add the pomegranate juice, lime juice and honey syrup to the shaker with ice. Shake for about 8 seconds to chill and slightly aerate the juice.
3. Fill the glass with fresh ice and scatter the arils between the cubes so they stay visible through the glass.
4. Strain the shaken juice into the glass.
5. Top with soda water, pouring slowly, and lift once with a bar spoon.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel or a slapped mint sprig and serve with a straw wide enough to catch a few arils.

Tips for success

• Shaking the juice before adding soda gives it a light, frothy top and better texture than building it in the glass.
• Pomegranate juice stains. Wear an apron and use a plastic cutting board when you seed the fruit.
• Freeze leftover arils on a tray, then store them in a bag. They make colorful ice cubes for later drinks.

Substitutions

Honey syrup

Simple syrup or agave works the same way. Leave out the sweetener entirely if your juice is from very ripe fruit.

Soda water

Ginger beer gives a spicier, sweeter drink. Tonic water adds bitterness that pairs well with pomegranate's tannin.

Lime juice

Lemon gives a softer acidity; orange juice makes it sweeter and rounder.

Variations

Pomegranate mint smash

Muddle 6 mint leaves with the lime and honey before shaking, then strain into a glass of crushed ice.

Pomegranate rose

Add 2 drops of rose water to the shaker and garnish with dried rose petals.

Troubleshooting

It tastes astringent and drying

Pomegranate juice has tannins. Add 5 ml more honey syrup and a pinch of salt, which softens the dry feel.

It tastes thin

Use less soda, about 90 ml, and make sure the juice is 100% pomegranate rather than a blend.

The arils taste bitter

Bits of white pith are mixed in. Rinse the arils again and pick out any membrane.

Storage

Serve immediately once topped with soda. Seeded arils keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Refrigerate opened pomegranate juice and use it within the time on the label.

Safety notes

Honey should not be given to infants under 1 year old. Pomegranate juice can interact with some medications, so anyone with concerns should check with a pharmacist.