Recipe #104: Happy New Year...Pomegranate Martini? No, Pomegranate Margarita!

I am a lover of pomegranate martinis, well, let's be honest...just about any flavored martini, so for winter, I still wanted my pomegranate, but went in the direction of tequila, not to mention that this is the season for using real pomegranate seeds to add another dimension to this drink.  It is "not" a sweet drink, but you could make it so by adding simple syrup, or if you aren't picky, a packet of equal, or sweet & low.  I show this drink both ways...on the rocks or frozen.  It's extremely refreshing when you don't want to be drinking something that you feel is rather heavy.  Now, let's cook...

1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice                                     1/4 fresh lime juice
1/2 cup tequila                                                            1 1/2 cups ice cubes
1/4 cup triple sec                                                        salt for glasses, optional
simple syrup, optional

SIMPLE SYRUP

1/2 cup sugar                                                              1/4 cup water

Boil water in a small sauce water.  Turn off heat and add sugar, whisking until sugar is completely dissolved.  Cool.  I usually want to use right away so put the pan in a bowl of ice water and whisk until cool.

Combine all ingredients, except for the simple syrup.  Taste and add syrup or other sugar if too tart for your liking.  Run a used lime that you used for the juice along the rim of a glass.  Dip in kosher salt (I usually put salt in a ring to match the glass perimeter on a plate).  At this point, if you want the drink on the rocks, pour into glass filled with ice.  If you want a frozen margarita, put the liquid in a blender and add the cubes.  I usually start with only one cup of cubes to see how it turns out.  You want the flavor of the drink to come out, not have it watered down with ice.  Bon appetit!