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The most festive cocktail to make and enjoy with family and friends this season. This batch-style martini is a mix of sweet pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, and vodka, shaken together with a homemade spicy honey simple syrup. The syrup has warm notes of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger – because it’s the holidays and I love a little extra warmth this time of year. We will definitely be serving this one alongside our holiday meals!
It’s officially the first cocktail of the holiday season, and I couldn’t be more excited. I mixed this festive martini into this year’s Thanksgiving menu, and I’ve been wanting to share the final recipe with you, but needed to get it photographed. I love sharing cocktails on Saturdays, but so many of you have reached out asking for all the new holiday recipes as soon as possible. So here it is!
If you’re open to adding a cocktail to your menu, this is an easy, pretty, and very crowd-pleasing option. It’s not fancy or complicated, which is exactly what we all want on a busy holiday. And the best part? You can make the mix ahead of time so it’s ready to go when guests arrive. Serve this as everyone walks in the door, and it immediately feels cozy, welcoming, and so holiday-perfect. Cheers to kicking off the season with this delicious Holiday Spiced Pomegranate Martini!
These are the Details
Ingredients
- pomegranate juice
- vodka
- Cointreau (orange liqueur)
- ginger beer
For the spicy Chai Honey
- water
- honey
- chai
To Make it Festive
- sugared rosemary
- pomegranate arils
- star anise
Barcart Tools
All that’s needed is a glass pitcher and a spoon for mixing. Plus a small saucepan or pot to simmer the honey syrup.
The Steps
Step 1: Make the Spiced Honey
Combine water and honey (about 1 cup water and 1/3 of a cup honey) in a small pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and add the spices you’re using. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.
Cover and let steep for 10 minutes, or simply allow it to sit until you’re ready to use it. This syrup can be made up to 1 week ahead and kept in the fridge. If you used loose spices, strain before storing.
Step 2: Mix the Martini
In a pitcher or punch bowl, combine the pomegranate juice, vodka, and orange liqueur (such as Cointreau). Stir in as much of the spiced honey syrup as you like. I usually start with about half and adjust to taste.
Holiday Hosting Tip
Use any leftover spiced honey to make sugared rosemary. Lightly dip fresh rosemary sprigs into the honey, then coat with granulated sugar. Let dry at room temperature for about one hour until set. It’s beautiful and adds a sparkling, snowy touch to every glass.
How to Serve
When you’re ready to serve, pour in the bubbly. I like to use ginger beer for a cozy, lightly spiced flavor, but sparkling water or prosecco work well too.
Give everything a gentle stir, then pour into glasses and garnish as desired. No matter how you serve it, this martini always feels pretty and festive.
Make It Friendly for Everyone (No Alcohol Version)
To make a non-alcoholic batch, combine:
• spiced chai honey
• pomegranate juice
• orange juice
• water
• ginger beer or ginger sparkling water
• pomegranate arils, rosemary, and star anise for garnish
Stir everything together, chill, and serve. So easy, and everyone can enjoy a glass.
Make the Drink Extra Pretty
Candied rosemary is one of my favorite garnishes this time of year. It’s delicious, sparkly, and reminds me of fresh snowfall. But I also love adding pomegranate arils for a pretty pop of red.
Photography by Johnny Miller
Looking for other Christmas drinks? Here are my favorites:
Sparkling Mistletoe Cosmo Punch
Lastly, if you make this Spiced Pomegranate Martini, 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!
Pomegranate Spice Martini
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 344 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Chai Honey Spiced Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 bag chai
- cinnamon sticks and star anise (optional)
Martini
- 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
- 2 cups vodka
- 1 cup Cointreau (orange liqueur)
- 2 bottles ginger beer
- pomegranate arils, star anise, and sugared rosemary, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In a small to medium pot, bring the water to a boil with the honey. Remove from the heat, add the chai, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bag. Let cool. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.2. In a large pitcher, combine the pomegranate juice, vodka, orange liqueur, and chai syrup. Chill until ready to serve.3. Just before serving, add ice to your punch bowl/pitcher. Pour over the ginger beer. 4. Pour between cocktail glasses. Top with pomegranate arils, star anise, and sugared rosemary.To Make a Mocktail: 1. In a large pitcher, mix 2 cups of pomegranate juice with 1 cup orange juice, 1/2 -1 cup water, and chai syrup. Chill until ready to serve.2. Just before serving, add ice to your punch bowl/pitcher. Pour the ginger beer over top.
Notes
Sugared Rosemary
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently run rosemary sprigs under a little water to dampen and place on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the rosemary with granulated sugar on all sides, making sure the rosemary is thoroughly coated in sugar. Allow to dry on the baking sheet for 1 hour. The rosemary can be made one day in advance and stored at room temperature.
This post was originally published on November 18, 2025
This was a stand out for our thanksgiving dinner. Hit all the right flavors that I was hoping for.
Hey Asia,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was a winner! Happy Holidays!
I made this for Thanksgiving and I really wish that I would have tested it beforehand because my guests did not like it at all. They were polite, but it really tasted so bad. I am really disappointed, and honestly a little embarrassed.
Hi Genevieve,
So very sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed. I appreciate you giving it a try.
I was disappointed to read the reviews, bc I was all set to make this for Thanksgiving, so when I read them, I dropped it down to 1 serving, thinking I would try it for myself before making a whole batch, and I think I figured out the issue. When you drop it down to a serving for one, the ratios of juice to vodka to cointreau (and unknown syrup ratio) are completely off (in comparison to traditional cocktails). I think if the measurement ratios were fixed it might (hopefully) be better? Tiegan, if you end up adjusting the ratios, I’d love to try it again.
Hi Alyson,
Thanks for sharing this feedback. I will take a look at the recipe measurements, but it is meant to be made for 6 servings:) Have a great Thanksgiving!
This is one of the worst drinks that I have ever had. My family hated it and we ended up just dumping it down the drain.
Hey Emilie,
Sorry to hear your family did not enjoy this recipe, thanks for trying it and your comment.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Why is the recipe changing again? Is it done being updated? There have been multiple revisions.
Hi Marina,
The recipe is complete:) Let me know if you give it a try!
I made a small test batch for try out before TG.
I don’t like Vodka. I used Venus Gin instead. I used Cranberry juice instead of Pomegranate as well. I made the chai mild and just added the star anise to the final cocktail. It was delicious! I’ll make a double batch for Thanksgiving. Thank you
Hi Cassandra,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you! Thanks for making it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I liked the first version, with the four bags of chai and the vanilla. Everyone thought it was delicious! I did wonder if that tea made it caffeinated, but it’s a minuscule amount. There was a slight tannic taste from the tea; the solution might be to increase the ratio of honey to tea to make the it slightly sweeter and then to add maybe a half ounce of lime to counter the extra sweet. Making this (and spicy bourbon smash) for Thanksgiving! I love your drink recipes Tieghan
Hey Lindsay,
I’m grateful you tried this recipe and took the time to comment. Delighted it turned out!
Happy Thanksgiving!
This was awful & the recipe had changed multiple times since it was originally posted. Very frustrating!!
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed!
Hi HBH, did you remove the vanilla from this recipe?
Hi Sue,
Yes, the vanilla has been removed.
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
I know you said you don’t really drink so I was just curious what your process is in developing alcoholic drinks. 🙂
Hey Sarah!
I don’t drink much. I usually only have a few sips of cocktails and always have family and friends test out these recipes too. I like to try them all and make sure the flavors are just right!
Have a wonderful thanksgiving!
Trying my review for the second time since it isn’t being published…
I know it isn’t a glowing review but I have to be honest. This was terrible. The flavors didn’t mesh well at all – way too many competing flavors.
Hi Jenna,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed!
Yum!!
Thanks so much, Drea! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Happy Sunday!
Made a pitcher of these for friendsgiving last night. No one liked them. The flavors of chai/vanilla and honey did not pair well together with vodka, Cointreau and pomegranate and ginger beer. Honestly if you left the chai syrup out it would be way better.
Hi Lindsay,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, very sorry to hear it was not enjoyed!
This recipe was awful. Judging by all the comments with questions, this should have been a bit more tested prior to publishing.
Hi Elsa,
Sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed. Is there something specific that I can help with? Please let me know!
Is this recipe finalized now? I’ve come back 3 times & each time it’s something new. Why are recipes being posted if they aren’t thoroughly tested and finalized? Can you please provide some clarity?
Hi Rebecca,
This is the final recipe:) Please let me know if you give it a try! Cheers!