pomegranate arils and rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and chopped rosemary. Bring to a boil, swirling to dissolve the sugar, then remove from the heat and steep 5 minutes. Strain and chill until needed, up to 1 week.
Grilled Meyer Lemon Juice:
Cut the lemon in half crosswise. Place cut side-down on a hot grill (a stovetop grill pan works well, too). Grill until the flesh is charred, 2-3 minutes. Remove and let cool. Juice the lemons and strain out any seeds and pulp.
Cocktails:
In a highball glass, combine the vodka and pomegranate juice with the smaller amounts of the grilled lemon juice and and simple syrup, stirring well. Top with plenty of ice and sparkling water, adding more lemon or simple syrup if you feel the drink needs it. Garnish with pomegranate arils and a sprig of rosemary and serve.
If you’re making this for a crowd, here’s the recipe multiplied to make 8 cocktails. You can make it up to 1 day ahead and store refrigerated airtight until serving time.
½ cups (355 ml) Hangar 1 Straight Vodka
½ cups (355 ml) pomegranate juice
¾ cup (175 ml) grilled meyer lemon juice (more to taste)
tablespoons (90 ml) rosemary simple syrup (more to taste)
ice
about 2 quarts sparkling water
pomegranate arils and rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Notes
Look for fresh-pressed pomegranate juice at farmers markets throughout the fall and early winter months, or make your own by pulsing pomegranate arils in a blender, then straining through a fine-mesh sieve.A stovetop grill pan works great for the lemons if you don’t have an outdoor grill. See below for a larger recipe to serve a crowd.Nutritional values are based on one drink.