Ina Garten pomegranate spritzers are easy because you skip the alcohol entirely, and fresh lime does the work instead. Four ingredients, one pitcher, and a party drink that tastes like a real cocktail. Serve them in chilled martini glasses to friends.
The glasses go in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, and that step is not optional. A room temperature spritzer goes flat fast, and then it tastes like plain pomegranate juice in a glass.
Source: Go-To Dinners (2022)
Ina Garten Pomegranate Spritzers
Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes15
kcalSparkling water, pomegranate juice and fresh lime stirred over ice, then strained into frozen martini glasses. Crisp and tart, with pomegranate seeds and a lime slice in every glass.
Ingredients
2 cups chilled sparkling water, such as Pellegrino
2 tablespoons pomegranate juice, such as Pom Wonderful
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
Fresh pomegranate seeds and lime slices, for serving
Directions
- Chill the glasses: Place four martini glasses in the freezer to chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Stir and strain: Pour the sparkling water, pomegranate juice, and lime juice into a large pitcher. Add some ice and stir for 30 seconds to chill the drink. Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glasses, add a few pomegranate seeds and a slice of lime to each glass and serve ice cold.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh?
Not if you want this to taste like a cocktail. Bottled lime juice has a dull, slightly bitter edge that shows up immediately when there is no alcohol to hide behind. Two limes give you the two tablespoons you need, so it is a one minute job.
Can I make a big batch for a party?
Yes, and Ina suggests exactly that in her notes. Mix the sparkling water, pomegranate juice and lime juice in a large pitcher, then pour over ice in highball glasses. Garnish each one with pomegranate seeds and a lime slice.
How long do these keep in the fridge?
They do not keep, and that is worth knowing before you mix a pitcher early. The sparkling water loses its fizz within an hour or so, and a flat spritzer is just watery juice. Squeeze the lime ahead if you want, then mix right before people arrive.
What if I do not have martini glasses?
Any glass you can get cold works, and a highball filled with ice is the usual swap. The shape matters less than the temperature, so put whatever you are using in the freezer first. Coupe glasses look great here too.
What is the mistake most people make with this drink?
Adding too much pomegranate juice. Two tablespoons across four drinks sounds like nothing. The juice is sweet and heavy, and more of it pushes the spritzer straight into fruit punch, so trust the ratio.
