Pomegranates are now being featured as one of the hot new “super foods” that both tastes good and is good for you. Nutritional research confirms that pomegranates contain minerals e.g., calcium, potassium and iron, plus compounds known as phytonutrients that help the body protect against heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. The powerful antioxidants in the fruit also help retard aging and can neutralize almost twice as many free radicals as red wine and seven times as many as green tea. As a further benefit, some researchers suggest that the crunchy seeds help flush fats from the digestive tract.

The pomegranate, a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree, is native to the region from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India and has been cultivated and naturalized over the whole Mediterranean region and the Caucasus since ancient times. Introduced into Latin America and California by Spanish settlers in 1769, the pomegranate is now cultivated in parts of California and Arizona for juice production. In the Northern Hemisphere, the fruit is typically in season from September to January. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is in season from March to May.

The name “pomegranate” derives from Latin pomum (apple) and granatus (seeded). This has influenced the common name for pomegranate in many languages.

Pomegranates are touted for their endless health benefits. But what about that wonderful winy, tannin taste? Sure, pomegranates are healthy. But they also taste great  — especially in cocktails and mixed drinks.

Pomegranates are both sweet and tangy. This is due to the large concentrations of tannins in the juice which, according to some research, provide extra health bonuses. The unique taste makes pomegranate juice an excellent mixer for drinks that aren’t too sweet and aren’t too sour. 

Pomegranate juice is available almost anywhere. It’s deep red color is attractive and just a splash of pomegranate juice can make a nice contribution to any mixed drink such as a vodka tonic or martini. The most fun and satisfying cocktail recipes are the ones you create on your own through trial and error. Pomegranate juice and syrup can be combined with other citrus juices, or vodka, gin, champagne or anything else you might come up with.