A heat-busting, heart-strengthening cocktail for the dog days to come. We sip these fortifying refreshers on hot evenings, with sprigs of mint from the balcony garden. Pomegranate juice helps lower cholesterol, and is loaded with more antioxidants than almost any other fruit. The blend we buy also incorporates blueberry juice, which is another superfruit that has multiple benefits, on top of tasting really great. Pomegranate juice is very high in natural sugars – containing more carbs per volume than Coca-Cola – so dose carefully.
The Purple Heart
Ice
2 oz. vodka
3 oz. pomegranate juice (blends with blueberry, cherry, and açai also work well)
Soda or sparkling water
Lime
Mint
Half fill a large glass with ice. Pour in the vodka and pomegranate juice, and top up with soda or sparkling water. Add a good squeeze of lime juice, and some bruised mint. (Slapping mint leaves between flat palms does a fine job of releasing the volatile oils.) Enjoy!
I didn’t know that about pomegranate juice – thanks for the info! It’s surprising how high in sugars it is, though, considering how tart it is. This cocktail sounds great… if I made it a virgin mocktail would I just omit the vodka? Because it sounds delicious and I’m underage
Wei-Wei
Perfect! Right up my alley.
Yes, Wei-Wei, you can make this without alcohol for sure, I think half juice and half soda will do the trick. You’ll find that mint goes really well with the fruit juice. Enjoy!
I love pomegranate juice, I bet these are fabulous!
Wow, these drinks look awesome. I’m ready for the weekend now!
This looks so refreshing. I also like a version with pomegranate molasses (smaller proportion, obviously). Lime is an essential counterpoint. Happy summer!