It’s pomegranate season in the US, which means that it’s officially time to incorporate pomegranates into your everyday life.
Pomegranates are loaded with many important nutrients, and the edible seeds of a pomegranate, which are called arils, are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These sweet-tart seeds can also be added to sauces and syrups, sprinkled over salads and desserts, or plopped into cocktails (or mocktails)!
You can also use pomegranates to decorate your home for the winter holidays, but it seems like a bit of a waste to use one of the healthiest fruits on earth only as a tabletop display. So, if you’re hosting a Thanksgiving bash or a winter holiday party this year, why not make a special pomegranate drink for you and your guests?
For some inspiration, here are two delicious non-alcoholic pomegranate punch recipes. And if you and your loved ones typically feel more tired and sluggish in the fall and winter, then go ahead and add a little CUT Energy Watermelon Pomegranate to the recipes in order to increase your energy levels and enhance your focus.
Festive Pomegranate Punch For The Holidays
If you need a festive and fun drink to serve your family and friends this holiday season, Practically Homemade created A Festive Pomegranate Punch For The Holidays recipe, which uses both pomegranate juice and pomegranate seeds.
Pomegranate juice contains higher levels of antioxidants than most other fruit juices, and pomegranate seeds get their vibrant red hue from polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants.
When making this festive pomegranate punch recipe that yields 10 servings, you can either use a large mason jar, a pitcher, or a punch bowl.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces of pomegranate seeds
- 1 orange (sliced and quartered)
- 1 cup of orange juice (store bought or fresh)
- 2 cups of cranberry juice
- 2 cups of pomegranate juice
Punch Additions:
- 20 ounces of lemon-lime soda (Use diet lemon-lime soda for less sugar)
Optional Punch Additions:
- CUT Energy Watermelon Pomegranate (For energy and a little taste of watermelon)
Garnishes:
- Pomegranate seeds
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange wedges
Instructions:
- In a large pitcher, mason jar, or punch bowl, add pomegranate seeds, orange slices, orange juice, cranberry juice, and pomegranate juice. Then add a lid (or a cover) and refrigerate for two to three hours.
- When you are ready to serve the festive punch, stir or shake it. Then fill a glass with about a ½ cup of the mixture and top it with two tablespoons of lemon-lime soda (or diet lemon-lime soda for less sugar).
- Garnish with additional pomegranate seeds, fresh cranberries, and orange wedges. Then serve and enjoy.
Optional: When adding the lemon-lime soda, add a tablespoon (or two) of CUT Energy Watermelon Pomegranate.
Pomegranate Lime Holiday Punch
While we know that red wine and green tea are high in antioxidants, pomegranate juice has three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea.
This Pomegranate Lime Holiday Punch recipe from The Gunny Sack uses both pomegranate juice and pomegranate arils (seeds), making it the perfect festive holiday punch to serve during the holidays. Plus, it’s sweet, sparkling, and easy to make. This recipe will yield 12 eight-ounce servings.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup of pomegranate juice (100% juice)
- ½ cup of grenadine syrup
- ¼ cup of sweetened lime juice
- 96 ounces of lemon-lime soda (Use diet lemon-lime soda for less sugar)
- 12 teaspoons of pomegranate arils (One pomegranate should be enough)
- 24 small lime wedges (One lime cut into slices and then wedges)
Instructions:
- Mix together the pomegranate juice, grenadine, and sweetened lime juice. Then store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
- For an eight-ounce glass, pour about 2 tablespoons of the juice mixture into the glass and fill the rest with the lemon-lime soda. Add more or less juice mixture depending upon your preference, and use diet lemon-soda for less sugar.
- Top with a couple of small lime wedges and a spoonful of pomegranate arils.
Optional: When adding the lemon-lime soda, add a tablespoon (or two) of CUT Energy Watermelon Pomegranate.