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This Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma is a tried and true favorite that everyone will enjoy. Homemade honey ginger syrup, spiked with a touch of cayenne, then mixed with pomegranate juice and tequila and topped off with bubbly ginger beer for the perfect holiday drink. Great for Thanksgiving and all of the upcoming holiday parties too. Make a large batch to serve to family and friends this season, this is so easy to create.
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Ok, I know, I know. This cocktail is festive…but it’s festive for both Thanksgiving and Christmas! When I shot this the other day, it was snowing and I just kept wanting to make it feel special. With the red color, it was hard to not make this look Christmassy.
But it’s fine, it’s such a delicious cocktail. It will be great (and easy) for both Thanksgiving and for the December festivities too!
It’s all things Holiday and it’s perfection.
The details
Keeping this one pretty simple. Start with the Spicy Ginger Syrup.
It’s honey, ginger, a good pinch of cayenne, and then fresh mint. This adds the spiciness, but it’s not intense, it’s just right.
That special touch
We all know I love to add an air of specialness to each cocktail. For this drink, it’s the Spicy Ginger Syrup and the spicy sweet rim.
Now the sweet rim isn’t a must, but it sure is delicious. A mix of coarse sugar, sugar, and cayenne, really makes this paloma sparkle.
Once your glass is rimmed, make the paloma.
Mix the pomegranate juice with grapefruit juice, lime, and then, of course, tequila. Add as much syrup as you’d like, then top the drink off with ginger beer.
It’s fizzy, minty, gingery, and full of sweet pomegranate and tequila. This paloma is perfectly spicy and such a fun festive drink to mix up for any holiday party. The Spicy Ginger Syrup makes enough for at least 6 drinks, but can easily be doubled (or tripled), for a large batch of drinks.
Make enough for everyone and enjoy!
Looking for other easy Thanksgiving cocktails?? Here are my favorites:
Lastly, if you make this Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma
Ingredients
Spicy Ginger Syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8 leaves mint
Paloma
- 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
- 1/4 cup grapefruit juice
- juice from 1/2 a lime
- 2-4 tablespoons Spicy Ginger Syrup
- 2 ounces tequila
- ginger beer, for topping
Spicy Sweet Rim (optional)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- cayenne, to taste
Instructions
- 1. To make the spicy ginger syrup, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, ginger, and cayenne to a boil over high heat. Once boiling simmer, 1-2 minutes and then remove from the heat. Add the mint, cover, and let sit 10 minutes. Strain out the ginger and mint. Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.2. On a small plate, mix the coarse sugar, sugar, and a pinch of cayenne. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip into the sugar mix. 3. Fill your glass with ice. Add the pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, spicy ginger syrup, and tequila. Stir to combine and then top with ginger beer. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma Pitcher
Ingredients
Spicy Ginger Syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 (inch) piece ginger, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8 fresh mint leaves
Paloma Pitcher
- 2 cups pomegranate juice
- 2 cups grapefruit juice
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1/2 cup Spicy Ginger Syrup, or to taste (recipe above)
- 1 1/2-2 cups tequila
- 2-3 ginger beer, for topping
Instructions
- 1. To make the syrup, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, ginger, and cayenne to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, simmer 1-2 minutes, then remove from the heat. Add the mint, cover, and let sit 10 minutes. Strain out the ginger and mint. Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.2. In a large pitcher, combine the pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, Spicy Ginger Syrup, and tequila. Chill until ready to serve. 3. Rim each glass with Spicy Sweet Sugar (grab the recipe above)4. Just before serving, add ice to the chilled pitcher and pour the bubbly ginger beer over top.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Hi Tieghan,
Super excited to try this recipe for Thanksgiving. I’m having a hard time finding coarse sugar. Anywhere particular you buy it?
Thanks!
Calli
Hey Calli,
You should be able to find it in your baking aisle, if not try ordering online. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I made this yesterday for a party, and we all loved it! So tasty! Loved the little kick from the cayenne 🙂
Hey Kristi,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week! xTieghan
Where did you purchase the glasses
Hey Jamie,
Here is the link for the glasses:
https://rstyle.me/+foTmPzzcV-EahfAYC27jsQ
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I had the best birthday! It was all half baked harvest- I so good!!
Chicken pot pie, salad and cranberry cocktails!
Awe so great to hear this! Happy Birthday Brenda!! xTieghan
Is the spicy ginger syrup supposed to be thick? Or does it stay watery?
Hey Claudia,
It should not be super thick. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Where can I find this wine glass? It’s so beautiful!
Hey Kerry,
Here is the link for the glasses:
https://rstyle.me/+foTmPzzcV-EahfAYC27jsQ
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
How many servings does the spicy ginger syrup make?
Hey Anna,
It will make about 1/2 cup of syrup, the servings just depend on how much or little you like to use in your drinks. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Any thoughts on a substitution for the tequila to make this nonalcoholic?
Hey Megan,
You can just skip the tequila. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
What would you suggest to use in place of the grapefruit juice? We have some that can’t drink grapefruit juice juice. Thanks!
Hey Pam,
I would use orange juice in place of the grapefruit juice. I hope you love this recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Any suggestion for an alternative to tequila?
Hey Rachel,
You could really use any alcohol that you enjoy here, vodka would be a great option. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Would it work with agave instead of honey? I need to make a drink for a vegan.
Hey Ella,
Agave would be great to use in place of the honey. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Wondering if vodka or bourbon would pair well with the flavors of this drink. Any thoughts appreciated!
Hey Chelsea,
I think vodka would also work well for you here. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
The glass she used has a gold rim so the gold shines through the sugar up top making it look golden.
I hope you love the recipe Brandi!
I’m planning to serve these at Thanksgiving, but has anyone tried subbing cranberry juice for the pomegranate?
Hey there, I haven’t tried that but it should be delish! 🙂 xTieghan
Made this tonight in the pitcher form it was amazing. I highly recommend this and it was beautiful
How much ginger beer did you use?
Hey Kristen,
I just use a splash of ginger beer for topping. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, I’m so happy to hear it was enjoyed! 🙂 xTieghan
Hi there, I’m curious how many drinks you can make a time in Pitcher form. I’m hoping to make this a star cocktail at an upcoming party and would love to make about 30 drinks worth in advance.
Thank you !
Hey Christine,
The pitcher will make 8 servings. I hope you love this recipe, cheers! xTieghan
How did you make the rim sugar look gold?
I think the cayenne pepper gives it the gold color.
I’m wondering if you can omit the pepper? I’m not a fan of spicy. And wondering how much ginger beer is added to the top? ?
I wondered about that but cayenne is more red.
It looks like she used turminado sugar which is naturally golden.
I used edible glitter! 🙂 xTieghan