Upgrade your happy hour with a touch of Hollywood glamour! This Pomegranate Vodka Martini, also known as a Red Carpet Martini, is a symphony of refreshing flavor and vibrant color. Not too sweet, not too tart, it adds a sophisticated touch to any gathering, whether it’s a casual get-together or a special occasion.
A Vodka & Cointreau Pomegranate Martini Recipe
One year when I was hosting an Academy Awards viewing party, I decided to create an Oscar-themed cocktail, and this Pomegranate Martini was born – renamed a “Red Carpet” Martini for the occasion. I started with my Cosmopolitan Martini Recipe and swapped out the cranberry juice for pomegranate juice. The result is a crisp, fresh, fruity, not to sweet, super scrumptious cocktail that all my guests loved!
Pomegranate Vodka Martini Ingredients
Vodka is my liquor of choice when treating myself to a cocktail. I am especially fond of a good martini, and for the most part I like my martinis very dry – just vodka and maybe a drop of orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec), shaken with ice and served in a chilled martini glass. Occasionally, for special occasions, I like to treat myself to a fancier version, adding in some fruit juices (e.g., cranberry, pomegranate, lemon, or orange juice). For this martini you’ll need:
- Good quality vodka. I like Tito’s.
- Orange liqueur. My preferred brand is Cointreau.
- Pomegranate juice – go for sweetened.
- Fresh lime juice (or a mix of lemon and lime) – don’t use the stuff in the little squeeze bottle; it doesn’t taste the same. And for a perfect balance of flavors, don’t use Rose’s Lime Juice, which is much sweeter.
- Fresh lime wedges or slices for garnish.
How to Make a Pomegranate Martini
There’s just a few easy steps to making this celebratory red martini:
- Chill martini glasses.
Fill martini or coupe glasses with ice water to quickly chill; let stand 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and dry. - Prep martini shaker.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes (large cubes won’t melt as quickly as small cubes in the spirits and/or liqueur). - Shake.
Add vodka, Cointreau and and juices; shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds. - Strain.
Pour through a cocktail strainer into chilled martini glasses. - Garnish and serve.
Place a wedge or thin slice of lime on the rim of each glass and serve.
How to garnish a Vodka Pomegranate Martini
My preferred garnish is a wedge or thin slice of lime. (You can also use lemon or orange slice.) Just pop it on the rim of the glass just before serving. You can also run it around the rim of the glass first, to add even more lime flavor. Alternatively, you can garnish with a lime or lemon twist.
How to Make a Large Batch of This Red Martini
It’s actually quite easy to make a large batch of martinis. My recipe is for 1 serving, so simply multiply it by the number of martinis you want to make. Place the ingredients in a large pitcher and stir to combine.
How to Store a Red Martini
Once mixed, cover and refrigerate until ready to use; the mixture will last around 4 days. To serve, place in cocktail shaker with ice (fill around 3/4 full), shake, pour and garnish.
Substitutions and Variations
While I love this martini recipe as is, you can modify it to fit your tastes. Here a a few suggestions:
- Substitute raspberry juice for the pomegranate juice, and garnish with two red raspberries on a toothpick.
- Amp up the fruit flavor with a citrus vodka.
- For more depth of flavor, add a drop or two of lemon bitters.
- Deepen the red color even more by adding a dash of Grenadine.
When to Serve This Vodka Pomegranate Martini
You can enjoy and share this martini anytime! I especially like to serve it on special occasions and holidays, including at an Academy Award viewing party, Christmas gatherings, and on Valentine’s Day to name a few.
Can a Pomegranate Vodka Cocktail be Made with Gin?
My preference is to use vodka, but yes, you can also use dry gin in this martini!
More Favorites from A Well-Seasoned Kitchen
Red Martini Recipe with Vodka
My Pomegranate Martini (or Red Carpet Martini) is elegant, colorful, delicious – and perfect for Oscar night viewing! It’s also easy to prepare, calling for only 4 ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 tablespoons (1 3/4 ounces) really good vodka
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) Cointreau
- 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) pomegranate juice
- 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) freshly squeezed lime juice (or 1/4 oz fresh lime juice and 1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice)
- Slice or wedge of lime, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a martini or coupe glass with ice water to quickly chill; let stand 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and dry.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes (large cubes won’t melt as quickly as small cubes in the spirits and/or liqueur).
- Add vodka, Cointreau and juices; shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Pour through a cocktail strainer into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a wedge or slice of lime.
Notes
Gluten free: use gluten-free vodka.
- Category: cocktails, gluten free, easy entertaining
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: Festive
This is very good recipe and I am very happy after drinking this recipe
Glad you liked it!
I will try these at a Valentines’s dinner I am having for three couples. Thanks for the recipe.
love what you are doing Lee.