The pomegranate gin sling cocktail is a classic drink with a modern tangy twist. The pomegranate juice highlights and elevates the gin, sweet vermouth, simple syrup and bitters creating the perfect combination of flavors and festive color for the holidays or any night of the year.
I am not a big drinker, but I do enjoy a cocktail from time to time. I’m more of a fruity cocktail kinda girl as compared to a beer or wine guzzler. And my fruit of choice is most definitely pomegranate!
Although I am not a big drinker, I enjoy creating cocktails using my family’s favorite fruit, the pomegranate. From pomegranate tequila to pomegranate vodka, and even a pomegranate spiced rum. So it only seemed fitting to create a pomegranate gin cocktail.
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Recipe highlights
- Perfect for Entertaining: You can easily make a gin sling for one or a pitcher full for a party! You can make it strong, or tone it down with extra club soda.
- Gorgeous: If you are looking for a festive ruby red cocktail to serve during the holidays, this recipe is perfect for you.
- Flavor: Unlike vodka, which is flavorless, gin has some herbal notes in it. And even among the gin category, there are many flavor profiles. A gin sling in its basic form is gin and a sweetener. And in this recipe, I add tangy pomegranate juice!
Reader’s Reviews
“This was absolutely delicious! It tastes like Christmas in the best way possible. Thanks for sharing!” — Kristlyn
Ingredients you need
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- Pomegranate juice: You can use store bought or freshly squeeze pomegranate juice. If you juice your own pomegranates, pass it through a coffee filter if you want it to be clear.
- Gin: There are different flavors of gin to choose from. The classic gin sling uses London Dry Gin, which is not sweet.
- Sweet Vermouth: There are two types of Vermouth, sweet and dry. This cocktail uses sweet vermouth.
- Simple Syrup: A basic simple syrup is made by heating up equal parts of sugar and water. You can infuse your simple syrup with other flavors by adding orange zest, herbs or fruit. Any of these varieties will work. You can also use honey or agave nectar.
- Angostura bitters: This is the specific bitters used in the classic gin sling, so I chose to use it in my version, too. Every brand of bitters has a difference combination of flavor and spices, so using a different variety will change the flavor profile in your drink.
- Club soda: For those of us who want to lighten up our cocktail, add a splash (or two) of club soda or seltzer water to your drink. It is optional.
- Pomegranate Arils: I garnish my drink with fresh pomegranate arils. Because I used an orange simple syrup, I also added some fresh orange zest as well. You can also top with some mint, if you want.
Step-by-step directions
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- Shake it up! In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add gin, vermouth, pomegranate juice, simple syrup and bitters.
- Serve it up! Shake and then strain into a collins glass filled with ice. Top with club soda, if wanted. Garnish with a pomegranate arils.
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQS
You can serve your gin sling over ice or without ice in a martini glass. If you enjoy cocktails, then you know that connoisseurs are very particular about their ice. You can use multiple cubes or one large cube, as you do with whiskey.
There are also many methods to creating clear ice. I’m considering buying this ice cube tray which provides the extra insulation needed to producing clear ice. Again, it is all up to your own personal preference.
I also have a slew of pomegranate mocktails and a pomegranate shrub, too! If you haven’t noticed, my family and I love all things pomegranate so do check out all of my pomegranate recipes, savory AND sweet!
Storing Instructions
TO STORE: Because fruit juice is added to this drink, keep any extras in an airtight bottle and refrigerate for up to one week.
Gin comes in different varieties. Some are sweeter while have a higher alcohol content. A classic gin sling uses London Dry Gin which is not sweet.
A martini includes gin and vermouth, usually a dry vermouth. A gin sling uses sweet vermouth as well as a sweetener, a fruit juice and bitters.
Pomegranate Gin Sling
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz gin
- 1 ½ oz pomegranate juice
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Club soda optional
- Pomegranate arils for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add gin, vermouth, pomegranate juice, simple syrup and bitters.
- Shake and then strain into a collins glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda, if wanted.
- Garnish with a pomegranate arils.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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Written by Laura Bashar
Hi, I’m Laura, a certified professional cook and cookbook author living in San Diego. I have been sharing my family’s favorite recipes inspired from all over the world since 2008. Let’s cook up something fun!
This was absolutely delicious! It tastes like Christmas in the best way possible. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kristiyn,
Thank you for kind words. It was just what I needed to make me smile today.
Cheers!
Laura
Gin slings are good. And pomegranate is a great fruit to use in one — tons of flavor, color that won’t quit. This is great — thanks. And happy holidays!