Spicy Ginger Cranberry-Pomegranate Palomas

The holiday season is here and there’s no better way to celebrate than with one of my favorite festive drinks! This Spicy Ginger Cranberry-Pomegranate Paloma is a showstopper—a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors that’ll have your guests asking for the recipe. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or having a night in, this drink is a must-try and I was given the perfect opportunity to make it for a bunch of friends over the weekend.

A friend hosted a party called “The Twelve Drinks of Christmas,” where each couple was asked to bring their favorite cocktail to share with the group while also dressing the part. I knew I wanted to bring my favorite drink but wasn’t sure how to present it until I came across the cutest mini ornament bulbs, and inspiration struck! I decided to hang them from mini trees to create an extra festive vibe and then I just lined the sugar and spiced-rimmed cups in front of them. They were a hit!

(Such a fun night, thank you, Beaudines!)

Plastic Shot Glasses | Drink Ornaments | Festive Birch Tree

I wanted to make it easy for everyone to enjoy, so below, I’ve shared the recipe a few ways:

– A single serving for cozy nights at home

– A pitcher for small gatherings (8)

– 30 mini tasters for a crowd

 

Ingredients:

– Spicy Ginger Syrup (serves 8) – can be stored for up to two weeks

– 1/2 cup honey

– 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced

– 1/2 tsp cayenne

– 8 mint leaves

 

Paloma (see further below for pitcher measurements)

– 1/2 cup diet cranberry juice

– 1/8 cup grapefruit juice

– 1/8 cup pomegranate juice

– Juice from 1/2 a lime

– 2 TBSP Spicy Ginger Syrup

– Ginger beer (or sparkling water) for topping

– Optional – 2 ounces tequila blanco or vodka

 

For a pitcher (same measurements also work great for filling up 30 mini tasters)

– 4 cups diet cranberry juice

– 1 cup pomegranate juice

– 1 cup grapefruit juice

– Juice from 3.5 limes

– 1/2 cup Spicy Ginger Syrup

– *Optional 1-2 cups tequila blanco or vodka (depends on how strong you want to make them- I prefer 1 cup)

-2 Ginger beers (preferred) or sparkling water for topping

 

Spicy Sweet Rim

– 1 TBSP coarse sugar

– 1 TBSP granulated sugar

– Pinch of cayenne

-Lime wedge (for getting the sugar to stick)

 

Optional garnishes

– Dried orange slice

– Rosemary sprig

– Sugared Cranberries

 

Instructions:

Spicy Ginger Syrup – bring 1/2 cup water, honey, ginger, cayenne, and mint to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, simmer 1-2 minutes, remove from heat, and let sit 10 minutes. Strain out the ginger and mint. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

 

Spicy Sweet Rim – mix the coarse sugar, sugar, and a pinch of cayenne in a bowl. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and dip into the sugar mix.

 

For the Paloma:

Add the cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, spicy ginger syrup, and (optional) liquor of choice. Stir to combine. Once you pour your drink over ice, then top with ginger beer (or sparkling water) and any garnishes. Enjoy!

*I have also kept the alcohol out of this drink and allowed guests to add in their own if they’d like, or keep it a mocktail.

I hope you give this one a try, it has been enjoyed by all who have tried it so far over here.

Fillable Ornament bulbs | Glassware  | Ball ice cube molds 

Merry Christmas!

<3 Lady