Sparkling Pomegranate Cider Punch.
And it’s a mocktail!
Maybe it’s even my last mocktail of the year? Eeeep, I don’t know. I’m waiting! But let’s see. This sparkling pomegranate punch is SO good. You won’t even care (or maybe know!) that it’s booze free. It tastes fantastic and is the epitome of FALL.
Without being basic. Right?
This recipe is a spin on the cranberry cider punch that I first shared a few years ago when I was pregnant with Max. It was actually the drink at my baby shower, one they made that was so, so pretty and full of burst cranberries. It also tasted amazing – so amazing in fact that even though I’ve been able to consume alcohol the last two years, I have made that punch for parties because it’s such a hit. SO delish.
I only have one gripe about it. And that’s…. that it is made with cranberry juice. Which I don’t OMG 100% love. I do like it more than I used to. For years, I refused to drink it at all. I’ve already made about four holiday cocktails with cranberries so perhaps I should bite my tongue. But I knew… just knew… that this punch would be ideal with pomegranate juice.
All hail pomegranate season! I live for apple season and fully partake in pumpkin season, but pomegranate season is one that I ADORE. First, I love the tart taste. I love the juice in a spritzer and I love the arils in yogurt or on cereal. I used to sit with half a pomegranate in a bowl and take the seeds out one by one and eat them. But that was before Max was born annnnnnd I totally don’t have time for that now.
However, I still love the flavor. And buy them packaged, of course. #millennial
Finally, why I really love pomegranate season?
UM, the color! It’s so gorgeous. I based my entire Thanksgiving table that I’ll show you soon around the pomegranate color. I’ve made a few other pomegranate drinks for us to enjoy over the next few weeks. It’s so pretty! Like the perfect autumn jewel tone. Oh hiiiii color lovers.
So, one of the other awesome parts of this punch is the autumn simple syrup! That’s something that came directly from the cranberry cider punch and wasn’t anything I wanted to change. This syrup is unreal. You could also use it in cocktails or something like a margarita or mojito or sangria. It’s wonderful.
Plus, it couldn’t be prettier! Rim the glass with coarse sugar and it looks all sparkly too.
Annnnd I think you could also totally make this frozen! Throw it in a blender with some ice or use the apple cider or pomegranate juice to make ice cubes the night before. You know. Since it’s going to be 85 freaking degrees here this weekend. UGH. Whyyyy. I just want it to be 55. That’s like my ideal temp.
I mean, doesn’t it just LOOK like something you want to drink?!
Pomegranate Cider Punch
Ingredients
- 3 cups apple cider
- 3 cups sparkling pomegranate italian soda
- 1 cup ginger ale or ginger beer which will make it have a little toast!
- 1 cup seltzer plain or flavored of your choice
- 1/2 cup autumn simple syrup recipe below
- 2 to 3 apples thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
- 3 to 4 cinnamon sticks plus extra for garnish
- cinnamon sugar for the rim
autumn simple syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- a few slices of orange rind
Instructions
punch
- Stir the ingredients together gently and taste. All ginger beers can be different, so you may want to add more simple syrup or cider if yours is super spicy. You can also use ginger ale, but in that case you may want LESS simple syrup than what is called for. You can always add more syrup if you’d like!
- Place sugar (about 1/3 cup) and cinnamon (1 teaspoon or so) on a plate. Rim each glass with a wedge of orange or lime and dip in the sugar. Add the ice to the glass.
- Serve the punch over crushed ice (this is important!) and garnish with extra pomegranate arils.
autumn simple syrup
- Combine all ingredients together in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. You can store this in the fridge for a few days – I keep the spices and rind in the syrup for flavor, but remove right before using.
Did you make this recipe?
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42 Comments on “Sparkling Pomegranate Cider Punch.”
Those are gorgeous! I don’t know if I want to drink it or paint my bedroom in that color!
haha! – thanks so much alicia!
My toddler was on my lap as I scrolled through these beautiful pics, and he exclaimed “Oh, Mommy! Can we make that?! I want that.” Hahaha, so I’m glad this is a mocktail! We’ll be trying this one out soon! It’s perfect for October festivities!
i love him!!!
You’re killin’ it with all the cocktail recipes. I mean I still think about your grapefruit palomas I made twice this summer!
Also guess where we are going this weekend for my bday?! Portland Maine!
thanks tracy!
also portland!! how exciting! let me know how your trip is and happy birthday!
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This sounds absolutely delicious but THE PICTURES!!! So gorgeous!
thank you ashlyn!
This looks amazing! I’m due in a few weeks and totally missing yummy fall cocktails! This will be a perfect one to enjoy this weekend. Thanks for the recipe!
thanks molly!! how exciting!
This looks like the perfect fall drink. The sugared rim is calling my name and those glasses they are just too perfect! I am all about apples and pomegranates this time of year too! Plus the color of this punch just screams fall! Hope your doing well with pregnancy, I am sure the temp going back up isn’t the most ideal. I just want it to be 65 all the time!
thank you so much courtney!
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LOVE!!! I adore the cranberry cider punch but pomegranate is totally where it’s at! I am definitely making this next weekend for our dinner party!
thanks rachael!
Another home run, Jessica! The simple syrup alone is impressive! The whole drink just screams fall. I love how literaly everything you do, you elevate it. All your pictures are so classy and fancy :) Someday when I’m pregnant…if I’m fortunate enough to be blessed with a baby, it will be nice to have some awesome mocktails to enjoy. Speaking of showers, I’ve always told my mom, that someday at my baby shower, I want to have some signature drinks for guests and I…and I want her to name them “pregtinis” or “mommy mocktails”, something fun like that. This is def going to be saved to use later on for a special event :)
Hope you are feeling well! This fall weather in pgh has not been the norm lately, although this is refreshing considering its been hot and if it were in the 50s I feel like I would almost crave a warm drink.
thank you so much kristina!
Also, I always buy the pom arils in a container done for me..it is a time saver. Especially during the holidays when I make your fabulous pom cheese ball that always gets the rave reviews :)
so glad you like that!! xo
I had no idea I liked cider as much as I do. I had some honey crisp apple cider a friend made and it was amazing . We will have to try this, I bet the Pom gives it a pop.
i love it so much too leslie!
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Where does one find this pomegranate Italian soda?
Jessica this looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it! Love love love apple cider and pomegranate! This may have to be part of my thanksgiving lineup! We are hosting for the first time…eeep! Out of curiosity, if I wanted to give guests the option to make it an in alcoholic punch, what alcohol would you suggest using with this?
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Hi – I made this today (halved it to test it for Thanksgiving) and it is WONDERFUL!! My husband and I already drank half of it.. or more. Yum!
So I made this for Thanksgiving and it was ALLLLL that anyone talked about. Everyone wanted the recipe! Now I have to find one to make for Christmas that can compete with this one!
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Hey!!! Can you add wine/vodka to this recipe?
Hey did you end up adding wine? Am wondering the same thing
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