(Note: this post was originally published on November 11, 2020. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)
This Spiced Pomegranate Daiquiri is an unexpected holiday rum cocktail that I know you're going to love. Thanks to its vibrant red color, iconic seasonal ingredients, and festive Thanksgiving and Christmas flavors, it's perfect for a party or a celebratory meal.
This eye-catching sip is a holiday-appropriate riff on the classic rum daiquiri. It uses a combination of gold and spiced rums, which adds warming notes of cinnamon and vanilla. The pairing of the rum with both orange juice and pomegranate juice creates an irresistible combination of sweet, tart, and cozy flavors that elevates any December occasion.
Are you planning some celebratory gatherings this season? If so, don't forget to add a festive cocktail. A beautiful, seasonal, special cocktail brings the whole meal together and creates an event your guests will remember. You'll definitely want this show-stopping (and easy!) Spiced Pomegranate Daiquiri on your menu.
If you're not familiar with rum, you may be surprised to see this called a daiquiri. However, the frozen, sugary, neon-colored drinks served at many American chain restaurants and resorts have almost nothing to do with a classic daiquiri. The original drink, which came from Cuba, is simple, elegant, strong, and tart; it contains just rum (usually 2 oz), lime juice (usually 1 oz), and simple syrup (usually 0.5 oz).
Because pomegranate is such an iconic seasonal ingredient, you can sometimes find pomegranate daiquiris at bars this time of year and you may see recipes online. Although approaches differ (more details on my version below), generally pomegranate juice is used in place of some of the lime juice and/or some of the sweetener.
In this simple holiday daiquiri riff, you'll make a few swaps from the classic. First, since pomegranate juice is quite sweet, you'll see this recipe actually uses pomegranate in place of the usual simple syrup (that said, you can certainly add a dash of simple syrup if you like a sweeter drink). Then, in order to match the seasonality of the pomegranate and celebrate another iconic holiday ingredient, you'll use fresh-squeezed clementine or tangerine juice instead of the usual lime.
In order to make this a spiced pomegranate daiquiri, you'll also use an amber-colored spiced rum in place of part of the typical regular rum. This partial swap brings in notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and warming spices, without overwhelming the other flavors. Note that you'll want to use a spiced rum that's light in color (I love Koloa Rum from Kaua'i), not a dark-colored spiced rum, to preserve the red hue of the pomegranate.
This pretty holiday rum cocktail can become a low-alcohol sip or a mocktail (although at that point it's not appropriate to call it a daiquiri). For a low-alcohol version, just reduce the amount of rum you use and add a generous splash of ginger beer instead. For a mocktail, omit the rum entirely and use all ginger beer. In both cases, serve the drink on the rocks for more hydration and volume.
Feeling festive? This spiced pomegranate daiquiri can look extra special with some garnishes. These photos show a clementine slice and pomegranate arils. You could also experiment with sugared cranberries, sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary, dried citrus slices, or crystallized ginger.
Although it may surprise you, rum is actually a fabulous base spirit for holiday cocktails. The warm flavors of rum go beautifully with seasonal ingredients. If you're looking for some other holiday cocktails with rum, then I have a lot here for you to explore.
Here's what you'll need for this spiced pomegranate daiquiri recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
I hope I've convinced you to try some festive rum cocktails this season. This Spiced Pomegranate Daiquiri is simple to make, yet it feels elegant and celebratory. The combination of warming spiced rum, sweet pomegranate, and tart orange is perfect for December. With low-alcohol and mocktail variations, this is a seasonal sip that anyone can enjoy.
What events are you hosting this year? Maybe you're throwing a holiday party or making a big Christmas dinner? Or maybe you're just planning some cozy nights at home with friends? Regardless, a seasonal cocktail can make any event feel more special. Cheers and happy holidays!
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
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Disclosure: Koloa Rum is a long-term partner and I receive free product. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.
This spiced pomegranate daiquiri is a festive holiday rum cocktail with sweet, tart, and warming flavors. It's elegant, seasonal, and perfect for celebrations.
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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