Happy New Year to everyone out there - hope you all had a fabulous night and aren't under the weather this morning. Thought I would share this cocktail which started our New Years eve celebrations last night. Given it was a warm evening it was the perfect way to start the party along with some tasty nibbles.

You can adjust the quantities to your own tastes, and it makes a refreshing drink for anytime during the summer. Best part for me is the crunch of the pomegranate arils when you get to the bottom of the glass. Enjoy!

POMEGRANATE & GINGER PALOMA

Adpated from a recipe by Teighan Gerard - Half Baked Harvest

INGREDIENTS

Minted Ginger Syrup
½ cup honey
1 cup water
5 cm fresh ginger, peeled & sliced
16 mint leaves

Paloma
2 grapefruit, juiced
1 lime, juiced
ginger syrup (above)
6 - 8 shots of tequila (or to taste)
1 litre pomegranate juice
500 ml sparkling water

Garnish
1 grapefruit, thinly sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
mint leaves
arils from a pomegranate
cherries

Serves: 6 - 8 depending on glass size

METHOD

Ginger Syrup – Combine water, honey, ginger and mint leaves in a small saucepan & bring to a low boil. Simmer for 1 minute and remove from heat. Cover and steep for 20 minutes to cool. Strain the syrup and store in the fridge.

Paloma – Remove the arils from the pomegranate being careful not to include the white pith, and place in a serving bowl. Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, ginger syrup, tequila, pomegranate juice in a large bowl or jar. Add sliced grapefruit & lime and top with sparkling water, mint leaves, and half the pomegranate arils.

Fill glasses with a few ice cubes and top with the Paloma. Garnish with mint leaves, a teaspoon of pomegranate arils and a cherry.