Pomegranate Rose Spritz

I love Pomegranates. Back home in India my father has a pomegranate farm. So every time I see pomegranates here in the US, it brings back fond memories of eating the arils right out of the fruit and enjoying Homemade Pomegranate Juice. Mom often added pomegranate arils to Curd Rice and chat recipes like Aloo Chaat, Bhel Puri, and Papdi Chaat.

I particularly enjoy enhancing the flavors of dishes like Tandoori Cauliflower, Air Fried Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Carrots, and Avocado Chickpea Chaat by adding pomegranate arils.

Inspiration

This autumn, I joined a festive dinner hosted by Pom Wonderful. The chef crafted a delightful meal with pomegranate taking center stage. Our taste buds were pleasantly surprised by the pomegranate rose granitas served as a palate cleanser.

Infused with the freshness of floral rose water and featuring a hint of umami reminiscent of chaat masala, the flavor combination was both distinctive and revitalizing.

Inspired by this delightful experience, I decided to experiment with these unique flavors for my Diwali Party, resulting in the creation of a special cocktail/mocktail - the Pomegranate Rose Spritz with Chaat Masala. Needless to say, it was a super hit, especially with our favorite party snacks Masala Nuts and Candied Cashews.

Ingredients

• Pomegranate Juice - homemade or store-bought pom juice works.
• Rose Syrup - Guruji brand rose syrup is available in most South Asian stores. I love that it does not have any aftertaste. You can also use rose water and sugar instead.
• Club Soda - club soda or plain seltzer can be used
• Liquor - a splash of tequila or vodka makes this a perfect cocktail. You can also leave it out for a refreshing mocktail
• Chaat Masala - adds warm spicy notes with a touch of tangy, salty flavor. If you do not like chaat masala, add a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness.
• Rosemary - the addition of fresh rosemary not only imparts a delightful piney aroma but also introduces a visually stunning touch of green, creating a vibrant contrast in the red drink.
• Lime - adds an extra hint of citrusy flavor. You can either make a lime wheel and slide it into the rim of the glass or slide it inside the drink.

How to Make Pomegranate Rose Spritz

• Add ice cubes, rose syrup, pomegranate juice, and club soda to a glass. Add a splash of tequila or vodka if you like.

• Sprinkle over the chat masala
• Give a quick stir
• Place a lime wheel on the rim
• Add a rosemary sprig

Serving

Serve immediately. If you are making it for a large party, mix rose syrup, pomegranate juice, and chat masala in a large pitcher and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Add alcohol (if using), ice, and club soda to the pitcher or individual glasses just before serving.

The best part of this recipe is that it can be easily adjusted to individual taste preferences. Adjust rose syrup to make it more or less sweet. Sprinkle more chaat masala if you love the savory umami flavor or add a sprinkle of salt/black salt. You can also add a splash of lime for an extra citrusy kick. Add tequila or vodka if you like for a perfect cocktail.