CHERRY POMEGRANATE MARTINI - Pomegranate Martinis for Health

THE CHERRY POMEGRANATE MARTINI

As you can see from the recipe card, I created this martini for Valentine's Day for the rich, deep red color but there is no rule that says you can only drink it in February.

Get the full sized recipe card for my CHERRY POMEGRANATE VALENTINI HERE   ALL MY VALENTINE COCKTAILS!

The health benefits and history of pomegranates.

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POMEGRANATE MARTINIS - To Your Health!

November is
POMEGRANATE MONTH 

Here in the U.S. pomegranates are in season and fresh, seasonal fruit is a great way to make a great martini as well as boost your health. There's no reason happy hour can't be happy and healthy at the same time.

Studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption is good for you!  According to Professor David J. Hanson, Ph.D. of the State University of New York in Potsdam, NY,

"Moderate drinkers tend to have better health and live longer than those who are either abstainers or heavy drinkers. In addition to having fewer heart attacks and strokes, moderate consumers of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine and distilled spirits or liquor) are generally less likely to suffer strokes, diabetes, arthritis, enlarged prostate, dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), and several major cancers."

Adding a fresh, healthy and seasonal fruit like pomegranate juice as a mixer just ups the healthy ante.

POMEGRANATE - THE ANCIENT FRUIT

The pomegranate  is mentioned in Europe as early as the Iron-Age Greek Mythology in the Homeric hymns. Native to the Iranian Plateau and the Himalayas in Northern India, the pomegranate is now cultivated throughout the world.  It was introduced to North America when Spanish settlers brought it over in 1769 to California. Here in the Northern Hemisphere it is in season from September through February which makes it a wonderful fresh, winter fruit for making martinis!

The name "pomegranate" derives from the Latin word "pōmum" which means "apple" and "grānātus" whic translates as "seeded"  In Germany it is called a Granatapfel or "Garnet" apple and in France it's called "pomme-grenade" while the early English version was "apple of Grenada".

There are some who say that it was not an apple which Eve used to tempt Adam in the Garden of Eden but a pomegranate!

POMEGRANATE SUPERFOOD TO THE RESCUE

Pomegranates are a good, natural source of vitamins A, C and E as well as folic acid and are considered to be a Super Food because of their many health benefits which include:

• Lowers blood pressure - a study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.
• It can lower your cholesterol - It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol)
• Reduces the risk of heart disease - drinking pomegranate juice daily may help support the normal blood flow to the heart.
• Fights Cancer - pomegranates have high levels of the flavenoids, antioxidants that are thought to be effective in counteracting various cancer-causing radicals. In one study drinking 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.  Another study in Israel postulated that pomegranate juice destroyed breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.
• 
  

Some suggested additional health benefits which are not proven are:

• Pomegranates might reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, and diabetes.
• Pomegranates might reduce the possibility of developing Alzheimer's.
• Drinking pomegranate juice might even  be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

Madonna of the Pomegranate by Botticelli

GETTING TO THE GOODNESS

The seeds of the pomegranate are where all this goodness resides but it can sometimes be difficult and messy to remove them from the outer hull.  To easily remove those morsels of tasty goodness cut your pomegranate in sections then hold that section seed side down over a bowl and hit the rind of the pomegranate with something hard like the back of a spoon - the seeds will pop out easily from a ripened fruit!

GRAB YOUR POMEGRANATES, GET SET ...

Now you have all the knowledge and background, grab your Pomegranates, Pomegranate Vodka, Pomegranate Juice and let's start shaking up some Healthy Happy Hour goodness:

POMEGRANATE COCKTAILS

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Updated 10-2016
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New Year's Resolution Martini

The NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION MARTINI
For all of you who are planning out your New Year's Resolutions here's a classic cocktail with a garnish of funny.
Updated 5-2016
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SPARKLING PEAR MARTINI

 

This is among my top searched cocktails. If you're a pear fan this martini is a great way to ring in the New Year. Pear is a wonderful winter fruit for a holiday cocktail and blends well with sparkling wines.

If you want something a little less high octane leave out the brandy and use a highball or Collins glass then top off with club soda or sparkling pear juice.

The
Sparkling
PEAR MARTINI

INGREDIENTS
1 Oz. Pear Brandy
1/2 Oz. Pear Juice
Chilled Champagne

Garnish: Sugar Rim, Pear Slice

Glass: Champagne Flute

DIRECTIONS
Rim the glass with sugar then chill the glass in the freezer.
Add the pear brandy and pear juice to the chilled flute, then top off with Champagne.
Garnish with pear slice and serve.

Updated 12-2017
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SPARKLING POMEGRANATE MARTINI

Thanks to Oprah, the Pomegranate Martini became one of the hottest cocktails around a few years back.  Pomegranate is still a popular flavor profile and it's also healthy because it's rich in antioxidants.

With my Sparkling Pomegranate Martini  I've used pomegranate vodka instead of citrus vodka and replaced the sparkling water with Champagne for New Year's, giving the martini a much deeper pomegranate flavor and a touch more sweetness.

The Sparkling POMEGRANATE MARTINI
INGREDIENTS

2 Oz. Chilled Champagne

1 Oz. Pomegranate Vodka

1 Oz. Pomegranate Juice

Garnish: Sugar Rim, Pomegranate Seeds

Glass: Cocktail (Martini) or Flute

DIRECTIONS

Rim glass with sugar then chill glass in freezer.

Rim the glass with sugar then chill the glass in the freezer.

Add the pomegranate vodka and pomegranate juice to the chilled flute, then top off with Champagne.

Drop in the pomegranate seeds and serve.

Updated 12-2017 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

SPARKLING NEW YEARS BLUES MARTINI COCKTAIL

Whether you're feeling blue about the end of the year or just like blue cocktails this New Year's Blues Sparkling Martini will perk you up and pop some color into the New Year.

Add in the lovely antioxidants from the blueberries and you have a healthy way to ring in the new year.

The

SPARKLING

NEW YEARS BLUES

MARTINI

INGREDIENTS

1/2 Oz. Cointreau

1 Oz. Fresh Blueberry Juice, Chilled

Chilled Champagne

Garnish: Sugar Rim, Orange Wheel, Fresh Blueberries

Glass: Champagne Flute or Martini

DIRECTIONS

Rim the glass with sugar then chill the glass in the freezer.

Add the Cointreau and blueberry juice to the chilled flute, then top off with chilled Champagne.

Garnish with fresh blueberries and an orange wheel then serve.

Updated 1-2017

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Sparkling Raspberry Resolution Champagne Martini

The Raspberry Resolution Martini is variation on the a classic Kir Royale, a cocktail that is a combination of Creme de Cassis and Champagne, but I added a bit of raspberry to the mix with a splash of Chambord.

The

SPARKLING

RASPBERRY RESOLUTION

MARTINI

INGREDIENTS

1/2 Oz. Creme De Cassis

1/2 Oz. Chambord

Chilled Champagne

Garnish: Sugar Rim, Fresh Raspberries, Lemon Twist

Glass: Champagne Flute or Martini Glass

DIRECTIONS

Rim the glass with sugar then chill the glass in the freezer.

Add the Creme de Cassis and Chambord to the chilled flute, then top off with chilled Champagne.

Garnish with fresh raspberries, add a twist of lemon and serve.

Updated 12-2017

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