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Originally published December 2022. Updated November 2023. A pomegranate mocktail is a festive way to celebrate any occasion! I created this recipe when I worked in corporate dining and it was so loved that it quickly made its way onto our permanent catering menu.

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What’s to love about this pomegranate mocktail?

Made without alcohol: this makes it a great option for people that do not drink alcohol. People that do not drink really appreciate when there is a non-alcoholic option available that is not soda or iced tea.

Festive: the deep red color of pomegranate juice and the sparkling nature of this beverage make it such a festive option!

Reduced sugar: as you may know if you’ve read other articles on this website, I believe all foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle–even added sugars! But sometimes it is nice to have a recipe for a beverage that is not too sweet.

Easy to make: this pomegranate mocktail recipe is so simple to make and it’s a snap to double or even triple to batch for a big gathering.

What is a mocktail?

A mocktail is a cocktail made without alcohol. It is synonymous with a “virgin” cocktail. Like a cocktail, mocktails typically combine a few different beverages. Remember that people choose not to drink alcohol for a variety of reasons and mocktails keep their palate entertained.

Mocktails are great for:

Pregnant people
Under-aged people
People who don’t feel like drinking or can’t drink

What does pomegranate juice taste like?

I describe pomegranate to be sweet, tart, rich, slightly dry and earthy. It tastes like a combination of berries, grapes and cranberries with a hint of earthiness– perhaps beets?

How do I eat a pomegranate?

The edible part of a pomegranate is its seeds, known as arils. The arils lay hidden in a fibrous skin. If you’ve never had a pomegranate or are a little lost at how to prep one, don’t be intimidated.

This article shows you exactly how to cut and deseed a pomegranate. If you really don’t want to break open a pomegranate yourself, you can buy the arils. Whatever works for you.

What are the nutrition benefits of pomegranates and pomegranate juice?

Look for 100% pomegranate juice when you are shopping for pomegranate juice. The most widely available brand, at least in the United States, is POM Wonderful. This brand of pomegranate juice is often found in the produce section of the grocery store.

Let’s start with the nutrition benefits of pomegranates in general.

Fiber: a key nutrient to support heart and digestive health, ½ cup of pomegranate arils provides 3.5 grams of fiber, or about 10% of the daily value.

Vitamin C: important for maintaining a healthy immune system and healthy skin and hair, ½ cup pomegranate arils provides about 9 mg of vitamin C, or close to 10% of daily value.

Folate: a B-vitamin essential for metabolism and heart health, ½ cup pomegranate arils is just shy of 10% daily value at about 30 mcg.

Potassium: a mineral necessary for the contraction of muscles and healthy fluid balance, potassium is found in pomegranates.

Antioxidants: pomegranates contain antioxidants called polyphenols that protect your cells from disease.

If you take a look at the nutrition facts for pomegranate juice, you’ll see that the facts change when compared to the arils. This happens in the juicing of any fruit. However, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice still provides 10% daily value of potassium and contains some level of antioxidants.

Is this recipe for pomegranate mocktail vegan?

Yes, this recipe is vegan. The only way I can really see that changing is if you were to add a non-vegan sweetener like honey to the beverage.

If you are interested in nutrition counseling to help ease your transition to a plant-based and plant-forward diet, visit my services page.

Is this recipe for pomegranate mocktail gluten-free?

Yes, there is nothing inherently gluten-containing in this recipe, but it is always important to read the labels of all the individual ingredients just to make sure.

Is this recipe for pomegranate mocktail low FODMAP?

At the time of writing this article, Monash University had not tested pomegranate juice. Pomegranate arils are low FODMAP at 1 ounce and raw raspberries are low FODMAP at ⅓ cup, per the Monash app.

Unless you’ve successfully reintroduced pomegranate juice and know your tolerance level, I’d suggest adding a couple splashes of pomegranate juice to your favorite seltzer and lightly garnishing with arils or berries. Work with a dietitian when you are working through the FODMAP protocol.

What ingredients do you need for this pomegranate mocktail?

photo of ingredients needed to make pomegranate mocktail

Pomegranate juice. Ideally a brand that is 100% juice.

Berry seltzer. I developed this recipe with bubly brand because that is what we sold in the corporate cafes. But, you can use any brand you like.

Ice cubes. You can make this extra special if you have fun-shaped ice cube trays.

Pomegranate arils or berries: for garnish. You could try using frozen berries, although they may lose their shape as they defrost. Or, make ice cubes with frozen berries nestled inside.

What equipment do I need to make this pomegranate mocktail?

Fancy glasses: remember the idea is to make mocktails as special as regular cocktails. It depends on the occasion, but you can use champagne or wine glasses or tumblers.

Pitcher: you will need a pitcher if you are making a large batch.

Stirrer: a simple stirring device is helpful, although not entirely necessary, to mix the seltzer with the juice.

Knife and cutting board: only if you are cutting and deseeding a pomegranate yourself.

What are some flavor variations of this pomegranate mocktail?

You can modify the flavor of this mocktail by adding other non-alcoholic flavorings whether that is through infused syrups, juices, garnishes or flavored seltzers. Here’s some ideas:

Ginger
Mint
Citrus including especially lime and orange
Apple
Pineapple
Warming spices like cinnamon or cardamom

Can I add alcohol to this pomegranate mocktail?

Certainly! Red or white wine would make this into a nice sparkling sangria-esque option. Or try vodka or tequila for a different flavor. You can also try non-alcoholic spirits if you want the flavor of hard beverages without the alcohol.