Pomegranate Rosemary Gin Sparkler

Packed with pomegranate juice, rosemary simple syrup, and gin, this pomegranate and gin cocktail will help you get you through the long winter days.

Welcome to the new year and the first Cocktail Friday of the year! I'm hoping to bring you a whole lot of fresh new cocktails throughout the next 365 days and beyond.

This first cocktail of 2015 definitely has major Christmas vibes even though I made it after the holidays. Maybe I just can’t get out of the holiday spirit? And maybe you shouldn’t either.

January is a cold dark month and I don’t have a problem with trying to trick myself into believing the holidays are still here. Though my husband probably won’t let me keep the tree up for much longer.

But he will let me serve him pomegranate gin cocktails. Huh.

Pomegranate and rosemary are flavors that will last you all winter long. And gin, too. Definitely gin. And when combined into a cocktail, they are pure heaven.

Make this for the holidays or make it after the holidays... Whatever you do, just make it!

Trick for Extracting Pomegranate Arils

Speaking of New Year, New You, I just learned something that is a total 2015 game changer: How to get the arils out of a pomegranate easily.

I’d been hearing about the cut it in half and whack it with a wooden spoon method for a while now, but didn’t really believe it would work.

But after watching this video, I decided to give it a go. And it worked. SO WELL.

I’ve never opened a pomegranate so quickly in my life. You need to try it!

And now I have a feeling I’m going to be buying pomegranates a lot more often (and not letting them go bad in the fridge). This is heaven.

How to Make Pomegranate Ice Cubes

I used my giant ice cube molds to make pomegranate ice cubes. You don’t have to do this step of the recipe.

But it is pretty fun. I simply put some pomegranate arils in the bottom of the mold, filled with water, and froze.

It’s OK if your ice cubes aren’t giant sized.

How to Make Rosemary Simple Syrup

This pomegranate cocktail also involves rosemary simple syrup. And you do have to do this step.

First simple syrup of 2015…. I wonder how many pounds of sugar I’ll go through for simple syrups this year!

Bring one cup of sugar and one cup of water to a boil in a medium saucepan, add two rosemary sprigs, lower heat, and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until syrup thickens.

Remove to a jar or bowl and let cool.

How to Make Pomegranate and Gin Cocktail with Rosemary

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, along with 6 ounces pomegranate juice, 3 ounces gin, and 1 ounce simple syrup. If you like a stronger cocktail, feel free to add a little more gin. I won’t tell.

Shake it up and then divide into two glasses filled with ice (or a giant pomegranate ice cube).

Top with soda water and a sprig of rosemary for garnish. You can add more pomegranate arils, too.

I know it’s only the second day of the year, but I think this is my official cocktail of 2015. Or at least January 2015.

If you have all kinds of healthy New Year’s resolutions, I think a pomegranate and gin cocktail is still perfect for a fun little weekend treat that won’t bring you too far off your resolution track.

After all, pomegranate juice is packed with antioxidants and rosemary has lots of health benefits, too.

Not that you need an excuse to drink a cocktail on a Friday night. Right?

But if someone thinks you do, I can give you about a million more:

• You worked a long week.
• You barely spent any time on yourself this week.
• You crossed like 20 things off your to-do list.
• You actually made dinner.
• You ate a salad for lunch.
• You didn’t scream when your train was delayed.
• You didn’t cry when you had to stay ridiculously late at work.
• You actually did the dishes every night this week.
• And laundry, too.
• And you only hit your snooze button 14 times, instead of the usual 44.

See, I'm good at this. Just one more:

It’s the weekend. And that alone calls for a pomegranate and gin cocktail for all!

Happy 2015! Here’s to a year filled with health, cocktails, and just plain deliciousness.

Are you starting the year off with a cocktail?

More Winter Cocktail Recipes

If you're looking for more delicious winter cocktail recipes, check out a few of my other favorites:

• Cranberry Pomegranate Sparkler
• Grapefruit Blood Orange Cocktail
• Cranberry Jalapeño Margarita
• Cinnamon Pear Sangria
• Holiday Spiced Honeycrisp Apple Cocktail
• Chai Old Fashioned (from Burrata and Bubbles)