When my sister asked me to host our family Thanksgiving dinner this year, I really had no idea what I was in for. I usually cook for two, not fourteen people. I don’t think I even own fourteen plates! Planning the menu is a struggle. All I have penciled in are the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and a pie for the traditional Thanksgiving fare. I still haven’t figured out any Mama Lin friendly foods (i.e., Chinese food) or dishes that my niece and nephews would eat. Young ones are picky with their food!
Eek! I was in desperate need for a drink, and that’s how this pomegranate apple cider spritzer happened.
This fruity delight packs quite the punch, but it’s also something that I know my family will enjoy. Mama Lin always boasts that she has a good tolerance for alcohol, but to be honest, I’ve never seen her drink. Come Thanksgiving time, operation Tipsy Mama Lin is a go, and I hope she enjoys this little spritzer as much as I do!
MASTERING MY MISTAKES / COOKING NOTES
- Use Limes, Not Lemons: As I was testing many batches of this drink (and getting everyone buzzed along the way), I decided to make a version with lemon juice instead of lime juice. My friends and I much preferred the version with lime juice because it added an element of sour that the drink needed.
- Use Fresh Pomegranate Juice, If Possible: Let’s take advantage of fresh pomegranates while they’re in season! The drink is much more refreshing when you use fresh juice, and the bottled versions tend to have added sugar in them. Making your own juice is easier than you think! Just follow my tutorial on how to make fresh pomegranate juice. Note that 5 large pomegranates will yield about 2 cups of juice. Here’s a video, tutorial, too!
- Simple Syrup: Initially, I planned to add cinnamon simple syrup into this drink, but everyone commented that it made the drink too sweet. If any of you experiment with adding simple syrup, let me know!
TOOLS USED
- OXO Steel Cocktail Shaker: There are definitely cheaper shakers out there, but I like that this one has a built-in strainer and jigger measurements etched in the cap.
WANT MORE TO DRINK?
- Red Zinger Beet Smoothie (One of my favorites! Ingredients list is a bit long, but worth it!)
- Cherry Lime Red Beet Smoothie
- Sweet Potato Mango Smoothie
- Orange Mint Coconut Water
Pomegranate Apple Cider Spritzer
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120ml) pomegranate juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsweetened apple cider
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 ounces (90ml) vodka
- ice cubes
- 1/3 cup (155ml) club soda
- sprigs of rosemary for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Place a few ice cubes in a shaker. Pour in pomegranate juice, apple cider, lime juice, and vodka. Shake vigorously.
- Strain into two glasses and top each drink with half of the club soda. Garnish with fresh sprigs of rosemary.
Notes
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
Girlfriend. This photography is out of this world. Keep it up!!!
Lisa says
Sarah, thank you soooo much!! It definitely means a lot to me!
Katie @ Mom to Mom Nutrition says
What a delicious, fresh drink! I am all about using fresh juice in cocktails. Kudos to you for pleasing so many palates at Thanksgiving!!
Lisa says
Thank you, Katie!
David @ Spiced says
How fun and festive is this drink?? I’m totally going to make a batch of this for the holidays. I love pomegranates, but I dont think I’ve ever used them in a drink. Awesome idea, Lisa!
Lisa says
Thanks, David! Yea, pomegranates are awesome. I tend to make too many drinks with cranberry juice around this time of the year, so I thought I’d switch it up!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
I’m dying over the color of this cocktail. And I’m having a good laugh over the “Tipsy Mamma Lin” comment. So funny! I hope Mamma Lin enjoys a few of these at Thanksgiving. I just pressed apple cider yesterday at a friends orchard, so I’ve got a couple gallons ready to be used in this drink!
Lisa says
I bet that fresh apple cider was positively delicious!! I haven’t visited an apple orchard in years. I guess it’s too late now, but I need to go next fall!
Kelly @ Mostly Homemade Mom says
What a gorgeous and festive holiday drink!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Kelly!
Liz @The Clean Eating Couple says
This looks SO delicious! Definitely making this for my holiday parties! Your photos are gorgeous!
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Liz!!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
This looks amazing! love cocktails like this and your pics are unbelievable!
Lisa says
Thanks, Jessica!!
traci | vanilla and bean says
Love the flavors in this sipper, Lisa! No doubt fresh pom is the best and well worth the effort! Mama Lin will be proud, and I’m sure will be sippin on this beauty. You are a brave woman hosting for such a large group! Can’t wait to hear how it goes! 😀
Lisa says
The dinner party has gone down in size a bit since I last spoke to my sister, so the dinner should be a bit more manageable now! We’ll see how it goes!
Christina says
This is absolutely stunning. I absolutely love garnishing holiday drinks with rosemary! Love this!
Lisa says
Thanks, Christina!!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Gosh, this drink is gorgeous! I love pomegranate and pick them fresh my backyard this time of the year so I love finding new recipes. Hosting Thanksgiving can be stressful but I know that you will do an amazing job. All of your recipes are delicious so I’m sure there will be something for everyone.
Lisa says
Thank you SO much, Ashley! I’m still jealous that you have fresh pomegranates growing in your home!
Julia says
Just the thought of cooking for 14 makes my blood pressure rise, ha! I’d have a difficult time following through with that request, although I could totally make drinks for 14, ha! These spritzers are soooo gorgeous! And I bet they taste so fresh with the pomegranate-cider combo. These are definitely on my to make (or shake?) list 🙂
Lisa says
I’m going to have to recruit some people to help! Hehe, yes, this needs to go on your shake list!
Kelly says
Good luck with hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year! Haha and getting Mama Lin tipsy! This drink is so festive and beautiful! So easy to lose track of how many someone’s had 🙂
Lisa says
Haha, thanks, Kelly!!
Rakhee I Boxofspice says
What amazing photography! Love everything about this recipe.
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Rakhee!
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Lisa, this is absolutely gorgeous! And good luck deciding on the rest of the menu–my hat goes off to you. I’ve never hosted Thanksgiving but it seems like a daunting task!
Lisa says
Thanks, Amy!! I’ll let you know how this all goes!!
Zainab says
Good lawd these pictures are stunning!! And what a refreshing way to enjoy the season’s best flavors!
Lisa says
Thanks, Zainab!!
Beth says
LISA!!!! These photos are amazing!! I am loving the black background!!
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Beth!!!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
For starters, GORGEOUS photos!!! And it looks so darn flavorful and festive. I know hosting the holidays can be daunting, but try to prep as much as possible early on and make sure to have fun!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Sonali! I will definitely try and prep everything ahead!
Erfan says
I made this 2 times for my parties. Girls usually are peaky when it comes to vodka, but they take this easily (they really like it).