Festive Pomegranate Gimlet Cocktail

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I can't wait for you to try this Pomegranate Gimlet Cocktail, a stunning cocktail that is as delicious as it is pretty! With tart pomegranate juice, a touch of sweetness from simple syrup, and the floral notes of Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose gin, this cocktail strikes just the right balance of bright, crisp, and festive. It's a lovely way to toast the season and impress your guests without the fuss!

Two coupe glasses filled with Pomegranate Gimlet.

I love getting together with family and friends over the holidays to catch up and sip a delicious cocktail like this Elderflower Rose Pomegranate Gimlet, a modern twist on the classic gimlet with pomegranate juice.

If you're looking for a refreshing cocktail that feels festive yet effortless, this Pomegranate Gimlet Cocktail is just the thing! It combines the tart flavor of pomegranate juice with Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin, fresh lime juice, and a touch of simple syrup (not too much!) for balance.

The resulting cocktail is a bright, floral, and perfectly balanced drink that's ideal for holiday entertaining, New Year's Eve, or anytime you're in the mood for a colorful and elegant cocktail.

This pomegranate gin cocktail is dazzling with its vibrant jewel-toned hue, and it tastes incredible as well! Garnish it with a twist of lime or a few pomegranate arils for a show-stopping presentation that's as beautiful as it is delicious. For more cocktail inspiration, try my Plum Ginger Gin Sour, Blood Orange French 75, and Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour. And if you're in the mood for a classic, shake up a Sidecar Cocktail or pour an Aperol Spritz.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Substitutions
Variations
How To Make This Pomegranate Gimlet Cocktail
Expert Tip
How To Serve This Pomegranate Gimlet
Recipe FAQs
Related Cocktail Recipes
Recipe
Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Tart pomegranate and zesty lime combine to make a refreshing, not too sweet cocktail. You might also enjoy this blood orange margarita and strawberry elderflower gin fizz.
It only takes a handful of ingredients to make this delicious beverage.
This pomegranate gimlet is stunning due to the rich red color of Elderflower Rose Empress 1908 Gin and pomegranate juice.
This cocktail is perfect for any occasion, whether you enjoy it at home for happy hour or serve it at a party with friends.

A splash of a glass of pomegranate gin gimlet garnished with lime wheel next to a bottle of Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin.

Ingredients

To make the perfect holiday cocktail, you need only four ingredients:

Gin - the gimlet is a gin-forward cocktail, so you'll want to use a great bottle of gin. Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin is a quality gin distilled with nine unique botanicals, including elderflower, juniper berries, lavender, orange peel, orris root, cinnamon, and coriander. The infusion of red rose petals and black carrot achieves a stunning ruby hue and adds a touch of sweetness.
Pomegranate juice - I used unsweetened, 100% fresh pomegranate juice (POM) from the refrigerated section at the grocery store. This recipe is delicious with pomegranate blueberry juice as well. If you prefer, make pomegranate juice at home with fresh pomegranates! I don't have the patience for that.
Lime juice - Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best results. Before you juice the lime, slice a couple of thin slices to garnish the cocktail.
Simple syrup - It's easy to make simple syrup; instructions are below; or you can purchase it where you purchase the gin.

A complete ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions

Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin - Use vodka instead to make a gimlet or another gin you love.
Lime juice is classic for a gimlet, although you can use lemon juice if you don't have limes on hand.
Simple syrup - Try agave syrup instead.
Garnish - Add a lime twist to the rim of the glass instead of garnishing with sliced limes. If you're using lemon juice instead of lime, garnish with a twist of lemon.
Pomegranate juice - Try unsweetened cranberry juice.

Variations

If you want this Elderflower Rose Pomegranate Gimlet cocktail to be a bit sweeter or sourer, adjust the amount of simple syrup and lime juice to your taste.

Mocktail - Skip the gin to make an alcohol-free beverage; replace it with sparkling water, soda water, ginger beer, or club soda.
Pomegranate juice - Try pomegranate blueberry juice instead.
Simple syrup - Use rose-infused simple syrup instead or another flavored simple syrup of your choice. You can also omit it if you find the cocktail sweet enough.
To make this cocktail less strong, substitute some of the gin for pomegranate juice, sparkling water, soda water, ginger beer, or club soda.
Garnish with fresh pomegranate arils. Try a teaspoon of pomegranate seeds for garnish. Keep in mind they'll sink to the bottom of the glass, however!

Side view of glass of pomegranate gin gimlet garnished with lime wheel next to a bottle of Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin and red lilies.

How To Make This Pomegranate Gimlet Cocktail

The Gimlet is classically stirred, but I recommend shaking this drink because of the pomegranate juice, simple syrup, and lime juice for even mixing. Then, strain it through a sieve to ensure a clear cocktail.

To Make the Simple Syrup:

Step 1: In a small pot, combine equal amounts of water and sugar.
Step 2: Heat on medium and occasionally stir with a spatula until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Remove the mixture from the heat and let it sit for 30 minutes. Let it cool, place it in a glass container, and refrigerate for up to 4 weeks.

For the Pomegranate Gimlet Recipe:

Step 4: Chill two cocktail glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before making this cocktail.
Step 5: Combine the gin, fresh pomegranate juice, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Step 6: Add a cup of ice and shake for 30 seconds.
Step 7: Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and pour the cocktail into chilled coupe glasses.
Step 8: Garnish each glass with a slice of lime.

Expert Tip

Use fresh, quality ingredients - fresh lime juice, pomegranate juice, and a high-quality gin make all the difference!
Chill the glass - Place the cocktail glass in the freezer for 5 - 10 minutes before making the cocktail.
Adjust the sweetness. Taste this pomegranate gimlet before serving it and adjust the simple syrup if needed.

How To Serve This Pomegranate Gimlet

This cocktail is best served immediately. To make this for a crowd, place the ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate them before your guests arrive. Shake it up in a cocktail shaker with ice, then serve in chilled cocktail glasses.
Serve this pomegranate gimlet at a holiday party as an aperitif with Vegan Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites, Vegan Cheesy Kale Chips, and Pink Beetroot Hummus with pita chips.

Recipe FAQs

What is a gimlet?

The classic and timeless Gimlet cocktail is simple; the original recipe is made with gin and sweetened lime juice. It inspired many other cocktails like the Margarita, Daiquiri, and Sidecar. The gimlet is served straight up, chilled, without ice, in a cocktail glass, garnished with lime.

What does a gimlet taste like?

Because of the gin, it is pretty botanical and spirit-forward, so you'll want to use a quality gin. A gimlet tastes a bit tart and sweet while being perfectly balanced in flavor.

How do I store this pomegranate gimlet?

This Pomegranate Gimlet cocktail is best enjoyed after it is made. Store the simple syrup in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

If you try this recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

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Recipe

Pomegranate Gimlet Cocktail

Author: Emily Miller

Brighten up your holiday get-togethers with this refreshing Pomegranate Gimlet Cocktail! Gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and pomegranate juice combine to make a vibrant and delicious cocktail. It's perfect for any occasion!

5 from 159 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

Chilling the cocktail glasses: 10

Total Time: 15

Servings: cocktails

Calories: 192.6kcal

EQUIPMENT

2 coupe glasses or Nick and Nora glasses, or martini glasses
Cocktail shaker
Cutting board
Chef's knife
Citrus juicer
Fine mesh strainer

INGREDIENTS

For the Simple Syrup

▢ 1 cup filtered water
▢ 1 cup organic cane sugar

For the Elderflower Rose Pomegranate Gimlet

▢ 4 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose gin or a high-quality gin of your choice
▢ 3 oz fresh pomegranate juice
▢ 1 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
▢ 1 oz simple syrup
▢ Ice
▢ 2 slices lime

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Simple Syrup

In a small pot, combine the water and sugar.
1 cup filtered water, 1 cup organic cane sugar
Heat on medium and occasionally stir until the sugar dissolves.
Remove from the heat and let sit for 30 minutes. Let cool and refrigerate for up to 4 weeks.

For the Pomegranate Gimlet

Chill 2 cocktail glasses in the freezer 10 minutes ahead of time.
Combine the gin, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
4 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose gin, 1 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed, 1 oz simple syrup, 3 oz fresh pomegranate juice
Add a cup of ice and shake for 30 seconds. Double strain and pour into chilled coupe glasses.
Ice
Garnish each glass with a slice of lime.
2 slices lime

NOTES

Inspired by Ina Garten's Pomegranate Gimlet.

To make this for a crowd, place the ingredients in a large pitcher and store it in the refrigerator before your guests arrive. Shake it up in the cocktail shaker with ice before serving in chilled cocktail glasses.

- Use fresh, quality ingredients - fresh lime juice, pomegranate juice, and a high-quality gin make all the difference!

- Chill the glass - Place the cocktail glass in the freezer for five or ten minutes before making the cocktail.

- Adjust the sweetness - Feel free to taste this pomegranate gimlet before serving and adjust the amount of simple syrup, depending on the sweetness of the pomegranate juice and your preference.

NUTRITION

Serving: 1 cocktailCalories: 192.6 kcalCarbohydrates: 15.1 gProtein: 0.1 gSodium: 1.5 mgFiber: 0.1 gSugar: 13.5 g

Tried this recipe?Please consider leaving a comment and star rating!

Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.

Comments

5 from 159 votes (150 ratings without comment)

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients

Substitutions

Variations