I make this drink for friends who want a non-alcoholic drink that has character. Tart pomegranate, a spiced rim, and a slow heat that builds with every sip. This spicy pomegranate margarita mocktail is the kind of drink that doesn't need too much sugar or alcohol to be interesting.
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After a long shoot day last year, I needed a drink with a little bite. I had just shot my homemade grenadine syrup and overbought pomegranate, so I had plenty of juice and enough to make pomegranate molasses. When life gives you extra pomegranates, you make a spicy margarita mocktail.
It's sharp, layered, and looks stunning in the glass. If you love pomegranate but want something a little more mellow on the heat, my pomegranate ginger mocktail is worth having in your back pocket too.
I didn't feel like doing anything complicated, but I still wanted something more interesting than pouring juice into a glass. I threw this together with what I had in the fridge and took my first sip standing at the kitchen counter still in my apron.
The tartness hit first, then the lime, then that slow heat from the rim, and I actually said "oh wow" out loud to nobody. F walked in, saw the look on my face, and asked for one without even knowing what it was (he asked for a shot of gin in his, and I obliged).
Now this is part of my spicy drink rotation and I keep pomegranate molasses stocked because running out is not an option anymore. If you're building out that same rotation, my spicy pineapple margarita mocktail and spicy carrot juice mocktail are both worth making back to back on a night when you want something with a kick. If you want to keep expanding your menu, make sure to grab my recipe cards for even more mocktail options.
Ingredients
The ritual tequila alternative gives this the margarita-style base without alcohol, with enough bite to keep it from tasting like plain juice. Pomegranate molasses is the key ingredient here because it's thicker and more tart than regular pomegranate juice, so the flavor hits deeper. You can also use homemade grenadine, but don't use commercial grenadine as it's much too sweet. Fresh lime juice keeps everything sharp, and Tajín adds salt, chile, and tang.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
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Top Tips for Spicy Pomegranate Margarita Mocktail
Taste before topping: If the base is too tart, add a little more maple syrup before the club soda.
Shake until cold: Shake until the shaker feels cold to help the thick pomegranate molasses blend smoothly.
Rim only half the glass: This gives you control over how much spice you get in each sip.
How to Make Spicy Pomegranate Margarita Mocktail?
This spicy pomegranate margarita mocktail has a lightly sweet base with a chile-lime rim and a fizzy finish. The perfect drink to refresh with this summer.
Prepare the rim
Mix the salt, sugar, Tajín, and chili powder on a small plate, then rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it into the spice mixture.
Mix the mocktail base
Add the Ritual tequila alternative, lime juice, maple syrup (or agave), and pomegranate molasses or homemade grenadine to a cocktail shaker.
- The base should taste bold and concentrated before the club soda goes in.
Shake with ice
Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
- If the drink looks streaky, shake a little longer before straining.
Strain and top
Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice, strain the shaken mixture into it, then top with club soda.
- Pour the club soda slowly so the drink keeps its fizz.
Garnish and serve
Add a lime wheel, jalapeño slice, and pomegranate arils, then serve right away.
- Keep the jalapeño slice small if you want the heat to stay mild.
Yes. Rim only part of the glass or use less chili powder in the rim mixture. You can also skip the jalapeño garnish.
You can, but the flavor will be lighter and thinner. Pomegranate molasses gives the drink its deeper tart flavor and richer texture.
You can use another non-alcoholic tequila alternative or leave it out and add a little extra club soda. The drink will be less margarita-like but still bright and tart.
Yes. Plain sparkling water works well and keeps the drink light and fizzy. Avoid sweetened flavored versions since they can change the balance.
Rub the glass rim with lime just before dipping it into the spice mixture. Don't oversaturate it, or the rim can slide instead of sticking.
Not exactly. Paloma has a grapefruit base while this drink highlights pomegranate. The spicy rim and citrus notes give them a similar feel, though.
Spicy Pomegranate Margarita Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ritual tequila alternative
- 1.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz maple syrup
- 1 oz pomegranate molasses
- 2 oz club soda
- Ice
- 2 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon Tajín
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 Lime wheel optional, for garnish
- 2 jalapeno slices optional, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate arils optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Mix the salt, sugar, Tajín, and chili powder on a small plate.
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, then dip the rim into the spice mixture to coat. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the Ritual tequila alternative, lime juice, maple syrup, and pomegranate molasses.
- Add ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Top with club soda.
- Garnish with a lime wheel, jalapeño slice, and pomegranate arils, then serve.
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