Purple Power: Cool Ways to Use Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice is so tart that it makes our mouths pucker just thinking about it. We’ve also stained more than one shirt with an errant splash of the stuff. So why do we keep it around? Because there’s just so much it can do!

It’s a little hard to write this post without coming off sounding like an ad for POM, but their pomegranate juice is one of the most widely available products in stores. POM can also be credited for making the juice mainstream. Plus their pomegranate juice is simply a good product!

But we probably wouldn’t be talking about it at all if pomegranate juice weren’t so versatile in the kitchen. Here are some of the ways we put it to use:

• Flavored Fizzy Water – Mixing a few tablespoons in a glass of sparkling water is a refreshing afternoon drink.

• Fun Cocktails – If it works with fizzy water, it will work in cocktails! Our favorite is a shot of gin, a shot of pomegranate juice, and a little tonic water to taste.

• Pomegranate Ice Cubes – These look pretty in a glass of water or a pitcher of sangria.

• Granita – Thinned with a little water and sugar, pomegranate juice makes an excellent granita.

• Popsicles – Try pomegranate juice layered with greek yogurt and honey in these grown-up popsicles.

• Smoothies – We’ve found that pomegranate juice makes a nice base for other fruits in breakfast smoothies.

• Pomegranate Syrup – We make this by simmering the juice over medium heat until it has reduced. The resulting syrup is great over ice cream or pancakes.

• Vinaigrette Dressing – This tangy juice is a good stand-in for vinegar in a salad dressing.

• Homemade Barbecue Sauce – Pomegranate juice gives

BBQ sauce

One of the only places we haven’t had a lot of success with pomegranate juice is in baking. In recipes like cheesecake and

red velvet cupcakes

How do you use pomegranate juice in your cooking?

Looking for More Inspiration? Check out the recipes on the POM Wonderful website

Related: Ingredient Spotlight: Pomegranate Molasses

(Images: Flickr member Joe Marinaro licensed under Creative Commons and POM)