Pomegranate Bourbon Smash
Rich, bright, and perfectly balanced, this smash blends the warmth of bourbon with the tart sparkle of pomegranate and lemon. An ideal holiday cocktail that feels both cozy and refreshing, with just the right touch of festive flair.
Because every drink deserves a beautiful moment.
Ingredients
4–5 pomegranate seeds
2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz pomegranate juice
1/2 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1/2 oz simple syrup (or spiced syrup see notes)
1-2 oz soda or seltzer water, optional
Garnish: Rosemary sprig + orange twist + extra pomegranate seeds
Instructions
Add pomegranate seeds to a shaker and gently muddle.
Add bourbon, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and syrup.
Fill shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.
Strain into a short glass filled with crushed ice.
Top with bubble water
Garnish with rosemary, an orange twist, and extra pomegranate seeds.
Notes from the Bar
Syrup Choice
Use simple syrup for a clean flavor, or try our spiced syrup: simmer ½ cup water, ½ cup sugar, cinnamon stick + cloves for 5 min; strain.
Bourbon Choice
A high-rye bourbon gives the cocktail a spicier backbone. Sweeter bourbons make it rounder and more dessert-like. Use what you love.
Garnish
The rosemary sprig adds aroma and a festive evergreen note. The orange twist brightens the bourbon and ties in the citrus.
Ice options
Crushed ice works best — it keeps the drink cold but allows the flavors to open up as it melts.
Glassware
Serve in a short rocks glass to showcase the cocktail’s rich, jewel-tone color.
Batch for 6
Combine 12 oz bourbon, 3 oz pomegranate juice, 3 oz lemon juice, and 3 oz syrup in a pitcher. Stir well and refrigerate until chilled. Shake or stir individual servings with ice before pouring.
Seasonal Tip
This cocktail transitions perfectly from fall gatherings to festive winter celebrations.
Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.
Make It a Date Nite
This cocktail is part of something bigger for us. It's a ritual we return to week after week.
Each week, we create a Date Nite designed around one drink, one thoughtful menu, and the feeling of slowing down together. The kind of night where the table is set with intention, the music hums softly in the background, and the evening unfolds without rushing.
For this Date Nite, we’ve paired a cocktail with a cozy, make-ahead-friendly menu, so you can enjoy the process without spending the whole night in the kitchen. We also include little touches we love like timing notes, a head start option, and a playlist to set the mood. Feel to pair the meal with any of our cocktails.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And turning an ordinary night at home into something that feels quietly special.
Each Date Nite includes a curated menu, cocktail pairing and a playlist, as well as another thoughtful extras like make-ahead tips, leftover ideas or table talk prompts to carry the night.
Kevin & Kate
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