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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.
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
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 1205 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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!
Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma Pitcher
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 440 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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.
These are delicious! I made a trial batch last week and will be serving these at a Christmas party next week. Yum- thank you!
Hi Lisa,
Wonderful! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it! Have the best week:) xTieghan
This is a delicious a cocktail! Made a pitcher of them for my friend’s birthday. Was a big hit and will be making again!
Hey Mona,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Hello! We really enjoyed the flavors of this cocktail aside from one thing. Maybe I made the syrup incorrectly? When I added it to my drink it turned into solid honey at the bottom of the glass and I couldn’t get it to incorporate. I was sad to waste it…honey is expensive! Any tips on how to make it mix into the drink? Thank you! Love all that you do!
Hey Leslie,
So sorry to hear this. Did you allow the syrup to cool before adding to the drink? It needs to cool slightly. Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
This looks amazing! I would like to make it for a Christmas party. I was wondering what kind of grapefruit juice you used for this cocktail.
Hi Pat,
I just grabbed whatever they had at my local Whole Foods. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Really nice cocktail, everyone enjoyed
Hey Lisa,
I love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xTieghan
I made these for Thanksgiving and they were the perfect drink for the holiday! They were a little spicier than I anticipated, but so tasty. I think this may be my new favorite fall/winter drink (:
Hey Melinda,
Fantastic! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Made these for Thanksgiving and they were a huge hit! We used the recipe for cocktails and mocktails (subbed club soda instead of tequila). Rave reviews all around! We only used one tbsp of the syrup per serving and the heat was just right to slowly catch up to you as you drank. Definitely making these again!
Hey Carly,
Happy Sunday! Thanks for giving the recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Tasty, but I would sub honey with a less distinctly flavored sweetener, like Demerara, brown sugar or white sugar!
Hey Stephanie,
Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend! xTieghan
We made these for Thanksgiving by the pitcher and they were a huge hit!! I halved the cayenne, because I wasn’t sure of our guests’ heat tolerance, and it was wonderful. I probably could have still done the full amount, but everyone asked for the recipe. Perfectly sweet, tart and delicious!
Hi Allissa,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Has anyone subbed something different for the ginger beer?
Hey Kelly,
You could do ginger ale or sparkling water. I hope you love the recipe. Cheers! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! If I wanted to make enough for 10 people, do I just make 10x recipe or is that too much? This is my first time making a cocktail and this looks so good!!
I’d just make 1 1/2 times the pitcher recipe. Easier math!
Thank you, Emmie! I didn’t think to scroll down further! Lol! Much easier!
Hey Emmie,
Thanks so very much for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Hi there,
I would follow the instructions for the pitcher:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Does the simple sugar need to be refrigerated – made it two days ahead of time?
Hi Susan,
Yes, I would keep the syrup in the fridge:) I hope you love the recipe. Cheers! xTieghan
Any suggestions for what kind of tequila to use???
Hi Lydia,
I really like Casamigos. I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xTieghan
Do you have a tequila that you prefer?
Hi Trish,
I love Casamigos! I hope you enjoy the recipe! Cheers! xTieghan
If I’m making a virgin version of this drink, would you just omit the tequila? Should any other adjustments be made?
Hey Pat,
You bet, just add some sparkling water in its place! I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan