Sparkly, crisp, and vibrant, are the buzzwords that instantly come to mind when I behold a glass of freshly extracted deep-red pomegranate juice. One of the most refreshing drinks, this sweet and tart juice is superbly satisfying and is a treasure trove of health benefits.
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My grandmother always said, that the best way to get your daily dose of essential nutrients, is by consuming seasonal fruits and vegetables in abundance. We were blessed. My father owns a large farm on which he grows top-quality seasonal produce. He is particularly fond of growing pomegranates, and I have happy memories of running through acres of stunning pomegranate orchards blooming with gorgeous fruit.
My dad would bring home crates of freshly harvested plump pomegranates. He would then patiently de-seed them for us to enjoy. Needless to say, our winter days began with a glass of my mom's best homemade pomegranate juice. My mom carefully stored the unused arils and used them to garnish quite a few dishes she cooked throughout the day.
Here are some of the recipes that I love to garnish with pomegranate seeds, it makes any dish look colorful and festive:
Mom's Homemade Pomegranate Juice
Why would my mom's pomegranate juice recipe be the best, you may wonder? It is usually that one magic ingredient that sets a recipe apart from the others. In this case, it is the technique with which she juices the red arils and sprinkles just the right amount of salt, that defines and accentuates the refreshing flavor and color.
Pomegranate health benefits
- Reduces inflammation because it has very high levels of antioxidants
- Helps build immunity since it is rich in potassium, vitamin C, and E
- Is a great source of fiber
- Is low in calories
How To Peel Pomegranates
Step 1: Wash the fruit and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Cut off the top crown and scoop out a bit of the yellow portion right below the cut crown area. Make shallow slits on the bumpy portions of the fruit. With minimum pressure, pull apart each section. You will have the fruit apart in 5 to 6 sections (photos 1 - 4).
Step 2: Pull out the outer peel from each section. Gently push the seeds/arils out with your fingers (and not nails) working on one section at a time. You will notice that most of the peel and extra membrane come off easily and the arils start to fall out into the bowl with minimum effort photos (5 - 8).
Slitting the fruit in this manner separates the inner membrane from the arils and makes it easy to deseed the fruit
How to Store Pomegranate Seeds/Arils
The best way to store peeled pomegranate arils is to keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 8 days. I would recommend not washing the seeds, as water makes the arils turn soggy and brown.
Tips for the BEST Pomegranate Juice
- The best way to juice pomegranates is by pulsing the seeds in a blender just until the juice starts to separate from the seeds. Make sure that the inside seeds do not get crushed.
- Buy pomegranates at a wholesale store like Costco or Whole Foods
- October through December is the best time to buy pomegranates in the U.S
- There are lots of videos online showing how to peel pomegranates in a big bowl of water. While this method works, you will have to consume the seeds right away as the wet seeds start to get bad quickly.
How to Make Pomegranate Juice
- Add pomegranate seeds with water to the blender. Pulse for 5-10 seconds. Do NOT pulse for too long as the seeds may start to break down. Pulse until the Juice starts separating from the seed. Pour the juice through a strainer. Using the back of a spoon gently press the seeds down so all the juice is separated from the seeds photos (1 - 4).
- Add 1 cup of water or 1 cup of seltzer water to the strained juice. Add a pinch of salt and sugar. Mix well and enjoy (photos 5 - 6).
Storing
Pomegranate juice can be made ahead and refrigerated for 1 to 2 days.
With the upcoming holiday season, I’d really love for you to try this juice and add it to your Thanksgiving spread. The pop color will go well with the autumn theme and this will be a well-loved family drink along with these delicious party starters.
More Homemade Fresh Fruit Drinks You'll Love
Want more fun recipes? Enjoy this collection of homemade beverages that include my favorite drinks for every occasion!
Recipe
Homemade Pomegranate juice
Ingredients
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 2 cups still water/seltzer water divided
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar optional
Instructions
- Add pomegranate seeds with 1 cup water to the blender. Pulse for 5-10 seconds or just until the juice starts separating from the seeds. Do NOT pulse for too long as the seeds may start to break down.
- Pour the juice through a strainer. Using the back of a spoon gently press the seeds down so all the juice is separated from the seeds.
- Add more water as per taste (or seltzer water) to the strained juice. Add a pinch of salt and sugar. Mix well. Serve chilled.
Video
Nutrition
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Priya@MasalaVegan says
Love the colour of the pomegranate juice, absolutely stunning!
Archana says
Thank you Priya! It is so healthy for you too
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Lovely clicks 🙂
Archana says
Thank you Freda!
autistsix says
Pomegranates are my favourite fruit. By the way thank you so much for the marvelous & generous recipes you give to us.
Archana says
Thank you! I am so glad that you are enjoying my blog posts
Anu Yalo says
refreshing drink and cool clicks!!
Archana says
Thank you Anu!
Loretta says
How wonderful that your Father owns pomegranate trees in India. I'll bet the results yielded some fresh, colorful and delicious fruit. Love your recipe for the juice, I have a pomegranate in the kitchen waiting to be used up 🙂
Archana says
Thank you Loretta. Yes nothing like having a glass of refreshing homemade juice from your own Pom trees. I hope you give this a try, I would love to know how you like it.
This Cake is Desi says
Craving this now..
Archana says
Thank you! I hope you give it a try. Super easy to make, yet so healthy and delish!!
chef mimi says
Absolutely gorgeous photos!
Archana says
Thank you mimi!
Laura says
I only really discovered pomegranate last Autumn Archana - kept adding the seeds to salads. But how lucky you are to have them in abundance when you visit your father's farm. This is a keeper for me to try when they're back in season! I reckon it would also work with some sparkling wine in place of the water! 🙂
Archana says
Yes! The juice is delicious with plain or sparlink water.
FARIDA BANU says
Healthy drink.
Bettie LaneWatt says
I learned from my grandma how to easily get pomegranate seeds out of hull.
She’d take a metal spoon insert in top of fruit & twist, break it apart.
Use a wooden spoon to tap on hull with seeds facile down in palm of hand. Tap until all seeds come out.
Archana says
That is a good technique. Thank you for sharing with us.
Maria Bongiovanni says
What do you do with the leftover pulp from the strainer?
Archana says
There will be only seeds left that I throw out
Lakshmy says
Which juicer do you use?
Archana says
I am using Blendtec. I will add it to the recipe card.
HK says
How long can the juice be stored?
Archana says
Refrigerated but consume within 24 hours
Manisha Ghodke says
Thank you Archana! It was delicious!
Kishori says
That trick of cutting pomegranate is so amazing . Its so easy now. I love how you make things so simple. Thankyou.
Zoe says
Thank you for the recipe and advice.
Living in Crete/Greece makes it easy to find fresh pomegranate.
After juicing with an citrus press (in the kitchen sink if you do not want red freckles) and also a blender I find it best to juice the seeds with a centrifuge, which really only leaves the seeds without pulp and gives a clear juice as opposed to blending the seeds, even carefully, resulting in a milky juice. But the latter will contain more of the nutrients and also bitternes. 3 kg of pomegranates in the centrifuge give on average 1 l juice.
I freeze the juice in 0.5 l bottles and am happy with the result.
Ann Wee says
Can I blend promegranate seeds with ice and drink whole without straining?
Archana says
sure!
Gary Bowman says
Hi....️ I was wondering if you could help me (I know, many have tried and all have failed ), I can drink strong black coffee ☕, I love cranberry juice, I can do shots of Vodka...., but lately I've been trying to drink a mere 8 oz of pomegranate juice for it's healthy contributions and I'm having a miserable time getting it down , I buy the store bought containers and it is beyond "pleasant". What can I add to 8oz to make it more palatable....
Archana says
I would add seltzer water!
monika Agwani says
Love love it so refreshing and healthy. Pomegranate is my fav fruit. Thank you so much for the quick and easy recipe.
Archana says
Thank you Monika!
Rhonda K Lynch says
I follow you on Pinterest and your recipes are Sooooo good!!! I wanted to find this for my Dad, this is perfect! Thank you!
Archana says
Thank you so much! Your Dad will love this homemade Pomegranate juice.