If you had to choose a perfect partner to marry the earthy, vegetal notes of tequila, look no further: pomegranate is just a match made in heaven, adding sweetness, tartness and a vibrant color that will elevate the experience of a Pomegranate Margarita. A variation on classic t, twisting it with some new hints of flavor that reach their best with the addition of Grand Marnier.

Just as the classic we all love, but with the bright character and bitey acidity that pomegranate provides. A Pomegranate Margarita boasts the traditional backbone of a 100% agave tequila, with its distinctive earthy notes, and some fresh lime juice: add some pomegranate juice to give this classic cocktail a new, funkier identity, and complete it with Grand Marnier, its embracing texture and cognac-based, elegant profile.

Following are the ingredients you will need for a Pomegranate Margarita:

• 50ml 100% Tequila Blanco such as Espolòn
• 20ml Grand Marnier
• 20ml pomegranate juice
• 10ml freshly squeezed lime juice

If you want to know how to make a Pomegranate Margarita, here are the key steps you should follow:

• Pre-chill your shaker by stirring a few good quality ice cubes in it; then remove the ice and excess water;
• Pre-chill a cocktail glass by storing it in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before serving, or filling it up with ice while concocting the cocktail;
• Add all the ingredients in the shaker;
• Add more good quality ice cubes and shake vigorously;
• Strain into the pre-chilled cocktail glass

To achieve the best Pomegranate Margarita recipe, try adopting some, or all of the suggestions that follow, to elevate your drinking experience:

• Juicy: Let’s not sugarcoat it here: extracting the juice out of pomegranate seeds can be quite tasking, for both your biceps and your nerves. Unless you have a proper hand tool, the best way to achieve a good amount of the ingredient, to enrich your Pomegranate Margarita, is by muddling the seeds: considering how time-consuming it can be, don’t overlook the possibility of buying some ready to use pomegranate juice, as the quality available nowadays is more than satisfying.
• Sweet grenadine: If you feel like experimenting, you could try adding a tiny dose of grenadine syrup. It’s a classic ingredient that dates to the beginning of contemporary mixology, and it’s a viable solution to add more body and flavor. But be careful: it’s a syrup nonetheless, so you might want to re-balance the ratios of lime juice and Grand Marnier to keep the harmony in your final recipe;
• Festive season: Seasonality should always be at the top of your attention list, when it comes to searching for ingredients to mix up in cocktails. Though easily accessible all year round, pomegranate is best harvested from late summer to early winter (October-January); keep that in mind next time you are planning some pre-Christmas gathering…

It can be not your first thought when wondering about pairings, but pomegranate works wonders with spicy ingredients. A Spicy Pomegranate Margarita is a different and delightful “twist on a twist” to further enhance your tasting experience, and there is more than one way to obtain it. You could try by muddling a couple of slices of jalapeno pepper in the bottom of your shaker (just as in the Spicy Margarita), or by creating your own mix of spicy salt to perfectly rim the edge of your glass: check out our guide to find out how.