Sometimes all it takes is a good quality mixer to make a top shelf cocktail. Behold, Stirrings Pomegranate Martini mix. It’s delightfully flavorful and an integral part of the two cocktail recipes I have for you today. And the ironic thing is, I discovered this mixer when I ordered a totally different drink than either of the ones I’ve created.
During our family vacation last month, one of the best restaurants we visited was Alonzo’s in Key West, an oyster bar that’s known to the locals as having probably the best happy hour in the Keys. Half price appetizers and cocktails from 4 to 6:30 PM every night! And I’m not just talking well drinks, EVERY drink on their menu is only half the price for those fleeting two and a half hours. And since their appetizer menu has just about anything you come to the Keys for (raw oysters, steamed clams, fried calamari, shrimp prepared any number of ways), there’s really no need to venture to their regular menu unless you don’t like seafood (What??)
In any event, Alonzo’s drink menu has a large selection of tropical refreshing drinks, so naturally I had a tough time making a final decision. I ended up ordering a pomegranate mojito. Can I just say, it was SO good, it transported me that 90 miles to Cuba, and I think I even saw some vintage 1950s vehicles while I was there.
I asked our server what type of mix they used for the cocktail, and she actually brought the bottle over for me to see. I wrote it down so I wouldn’t forget to look for it when we got back to Pennsylvania.
Flash forward two weeks: I can’t find the mixer anywhere. And I don’t live in an area with lots of commerce, so after a couple trips looking for it, I just ordered it online.
I tried mightily to make a killer mojito like the one I enjoyed at Alonzo’s, but I just couldn’t get it right. I may perfect it someday after a few more attempts, but in the meantime I created a couple other cocktails that are pretty darn good. They are a bit similar, but if you’re like me and love this Stirrings mix, you will want to try both of these recipes just to be able to drink a variety of pomegranate-infused cocktails. And NO, Stirrings did not sponsor this post- they know nothing of my love of their products (yet)
Pomegranate Sour
1 1/2 ounces vodka
1 1/2 ounce Deep Eddy’s orange vodka
2 ounces sour mix
1 1/2 ounce Stirrings Pomegranate Martini mix
Club soda
Pour first four ingredients into a tall glass with ice, then top with a splash of club soda
Pomegranate Martini
1 1/2 ounces vodka
1 ounce Deep Eddy’s lemon vodka
1/2 ounce triple sec
2 ounces Stirrings Pomegranate Martini mix
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and add a squeeze of fresh lime.
Check out the Stirring website https://www.stirrings.com/ to find out where to buy their mixers in your area. Hopefully you won’t have to order them online, but if you must, you must.
I am a pomegranate ho! I had a pomegranate martini once about five years ago and have never forgotten it! I will see if anyone around LA carries this mix. If not, I may have to go the online route. Thanks for the recipes!
Oh my. I’m definitely going to have to try these. (I’m a pomegranate ho too!) Plus, you know, those antioxidants – it’s really good for you! 😉