Nitrate & Nitrite Free Classic Pomegranate Mocktail
Tart, fizzy, and beautifully ruby-red, this pomegranate mocktail is the kind of drink that makes any occasion feel a little more special — no bar cart required. The base is 100% pomegranate juice shaken with fresh lime juice and a quick homemade simple syrup, so you know exactly what's going into every sip. That matters more than it might seem, because many store-bought flavored drinks and cocktail mixers sneak in preservatives like sodium nitrate or nitrite to extend shelf life. Here, every ingredient is clean and straightforward, from the sugar-and-water syrup you make yourself to the sparkling water that gives it that satisfying effervescence. Shaking the juice mixture over ice before straining it into the glass is a small step that makes a big difference — it chills everything evenly and gives the drink a slightly frothy, polished finish. A handful of pomegranate arils and a lime wheel on the rim turn it into something genuinely gorgeous for a dinner party or a weekend treat. Make a double batch of the syrup and keep it in the fridge, and you're just minutes away from a refreshing, preservative-free drink any time the mood strikes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the simple syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
For the mocktail
- 1 cup 100% pomegranate juice, chilled
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 tbsp simple syrup, or more to taste
- 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
- ice cubes, as needed
For serving
- 2 tbsp pomegranate arils (optional)
- 2 lime wheels or wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool for at least 10 minutes before using. (Extra syrup keeps refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 2 weeks.)
- 2
Fill a cocktail shaker or large jar with a lid halfway with ice. Add the pomegranate juice, lime juice, and 2 tbsp of the cooled simple syrup. Seal and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until well chilled.
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