Because no one wants to stand around making individual cocktails for all of their guests when there’s merry-making to be had.
This Sparkling Pomegranate Party Punch is THE perfect cocktail for Christmas, New Year’s or any other holiday or celebration, for that matter. I love it so, so much because it involves all of my favorite things: sparkling wine, bourbon, pomegranate and orange juices, plus a few secret touches like rosemary simple syrup, orgeat and Angostura bitters.
That’s right I’ve taken the ingredients from all of my favorite cocktails over the past year and mashed them all up together in one giant pitcher- or punch bowl-full of deliciousness:
I’ve stolen the pomegranate juice (and I suppose also the bourbon) from this Pear, Pomegranate and Bourbon Punch…
I’ve stolen the rosemary simple syrup from this Rosemary, Fig and Date Tequila Smash…
I’ve stolen the orgeat from these Grapefruit Coladas on the Rocks…
And if you had no idea I absolutely love sparkling wine, then you obviously don’t know me. Case(s) in point:
This Citrus Vanilla Sparkler…
The over-the-top Greyhound 75…
My “fall-ish” Harvest Mimosa…
My OG Harvey Wallbanger Mimosa…
And this Holiday Sparkling Sangria.
Have I convinced you yet? If I haven’t, let me just tell you that this festive Sparkling Pomegranate Party Punch is the perfect balance of all of these favorite things. It’s got some good tang from the pomegranate juice (I always go for the purest form I can find, with no additives) that’s complimented wonderfully by the rosemary simple syrup and orgeat. Then you get some kick from the bourbon and bitters, which mellows out beautifully with the addition of a whole bottle of sparkling wine and some fresh orange juice. Seriously, it is so good.
When throwing together this Sparkling Pomegranate Party Punch, I highly recommend doing so no more than a half hour or so prior to serving. It’s best served over a good amount of ice, and you don’t want the drink to get diluted. Plus, you can’t let the bubbles go flat!
Oh, and have you noticed that this beverage is quite the showstopper as far as looks? Thin slices of fresh orange and a sprinkling of pomegranate arils take the “wow” factor from a 5 all the way up to a 10. I like to tuck the orange slices into the sides of the ice and punch-filled pitcher to really make sure their visible, and then I slice a few extra to use as garnish once drinks are poured into individual glasses. I also reserve a few pomegranate arils to sprinkle over the top of each individual glass because, well, it’s soooo photogenic.
So, what do you think? Does this Sparkling Pomegranate Party Punch sound like a winner in your book? It sure is in mine! The hubs and I are up in the Bay Area spending the holiday with both sets of our parents, and you can bet this will be in my back pocket when I’m put on cocktail duty throughout the weekend. I hope you all have the very merriest of Christmases and get to spend loads of time with all of your loved ones! XO
A fun, festive punch, with sparkling wine, bourbon, pomegranate juice and so many other seasonal flavors.
- 8 ounces pomegranate juice
- 8 ounces fresh orange juice (juice of about 2 oranges)
- 6 ounces bourbon
- 3 ounces orgeat
- 2 ounces rosemary simple syrup (see notes for recipe)
- 1/2 ounce angostura bitters
- 1 750 mL bottle of dry sparkling wine
- 8 ounces pomegranate arils (plus more for garnish, if desired)
- 1 orange, sliced (plus more slices for garnish, if desired)
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher or punch bowl filled three quarters of the way full with ice. Stir with a long handled spoon to combine. Pour into individual glasses and garnish with additional pomegranate arils and orange slices if desired.
To make the Rosemary Simple Syrup: Combine one cup granulated sugar, one cup water and one large sprig of fresh rosemary in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and let simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool before using a funnel to pour syrup into a glass bottle with a stopper for storage. Refrigerate up to one week.
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