Pomegranate Margarita

This Margarita variation is a large-format cocktail, scaled up to serve eight and combines blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, pomegranate syrup, a healthy dose of orange bitters, and a black lava salt rim. 

The pomegranate syrup adds a pop of color and tartness to this Margarita and is simply equal parts unsweetened pomegranate juice and granulated sugar. With the cocktail recipe calling for slightly less than the 1½ cups in the resulting syrup recipe, you may have leftovers for a bigger batch of drinks or the freedom to experiment with this flavorful syrup in other cocktail creations.

Pre-batching a crowd-pleasing cocktail is an easy way to ensure your guests are taken care of and at the same time your job as host isn’t consumed by shaking up individual drinks all night. Mix up this refreshingly tart Margarita variation in a large pitcher with ice, prep the glasses with lava salt rim, and just set aside until the guests roll in.  

This can make a colorful splash as a welcome cocktail or a fun addition at an interactive drinks station for guests to build their own.  

What makes the Pomegranate Margarita work 

The classic Margarita remains one of the most popular cocktails in the world and, in turn, one of the most commonly riffed on. This version substitutes the traditional orange liqueur for pomegranate syrup, transforming the drink into a ruby-hued stunner with a slightly tarter flavor profile. The tartly sweet pomegranate fruit naturally compliments the crisp vegetal and pepper spice characteristics in blanco tequila making it a favorite addition in Margarita variations.  

The generous addition of orange bitters lends familiar Margarita aromatics and a complexity that helps balance out the sweetness of the syrup. 

The black lava salt not only contrasts dramatically against the plum-colored drink, but as sea salt combined with activated charcoal, it brings a slightly smoky flavor that helps to highlight the earthy agave notes in the tequila, enhancing the umami qualities in the drink.