Categories: Beverages

Pomegranate Martini

Pomegranate Martini

Is there such a thing as BUI: Blogging Under the Influence?

If so, I plead guilty with an explanation.

In fairness to you, dear readers, our very strict standards of quality control require each of us here at TheArmenianKitchen.com to taste ALL recipes.

Sometimes, in fact, we must consume taste after taste to be certain that we are recommending only the bery vest…ah, very best…in food and…ah…

Drink! That’s it!

True confession: I (Doug) am the drinker in the family. I like a wee taste of Scotch before dinner. And, on occasion, a glass of wine with the main course.

But truly, only a taste — and only on occasion.

But special occasions demand special consideration, and nothing is more special than a visit with our daughter, Mandy, the toast of the New York City arts scene.

One such visit, about three years ago, brought us to a very trendy bar in Greenwich Village, where we sipped away an hour or two while waiting for a table at the even-trendier restaurant next door.

I ordered the usual: Dewar’s, rocks. Robyn, being more adventurous, asked the bartender to recommend something special.

The bartender’s reply, with no hesitation: A pomegranate martini.

We took this as a sign. Pomegranate is a most Armenian fruit, almost mythical in meaning. I immediately switched my order.

These days, pomegranate martinis are as wildly popular as, well, apple martinis. Or chocolate martinis. Or pretty much any other fruit, candy or vegetable attached to the word martini. Most have little connection to the traditional gin-and-vermouth concoction except for the shape of the glass.

But the typical pomegranate martini is lacking the most essential ingredient: Pomegranate juice.

I’ve learned to ask for an ingredient list before ordering one, because they’re often made with some sort of (allegedly) pomegranate-flavored syrup mixed, which is UNACCEPTABLE.

Luckily, I persuaded the bartender to share the recipe for the drink that got us hooked.

Here it is, strictly in the interest of sharing an Armenian-influenced favorite that remains popular on the American scene.

WARNING: Do not attempt to blog, much less drive, after imbibing.

Pomegranate Martini (serves two, or one VERY happy customer…)
6 ounces pomegranate juice
6 ounces vodka
1 ounce Triple Sec
a splash of lime juice

Pour ingredients over ice in a martini shaker.
Blend thoroughly.
Serve immediately.

Genazit!

View Comments

  • What I think this recipe needs is another trip to the test kitchen. Let me know when I can assist in teseting it. (Tasting; not preparing.)

  • I can now say, having tasted and tested this recipe as prepared in the actual Armenian Kitchen -- or rather, to be perfectly accurate, the bar adjoining The Armenian Kitcen -- that a pomegranate martini is one excellent concoction.

  • Or why compromise on the quality of the vodka? Use a good vodka like Grey Goose, Crystal, Belvedere, etc., and substitute pomegranate liqueur for the juice (www.pamaliqueur.com). In that case, decrease the amount of liqueur to 3 oz (if you want to increase the vodka to 9 oz, well I am certainly not going to talk you of it!).

Recent Posts

Armenian Tomato and Bulgur Soup with Mint – by Christine Vartanian Datian

Just in time for soup season, Christine Datian offers The Armenian Kitchen her recipe for…

1 month ago

Easter Menu Planning? Look no further!

  I don’t know about you, but in our family, we’re all about tradition when…

8 months ago

St. Sarkis Day and 3 celebratory recipes

It’s that time of year again! St. Sarkis Day, the moveable feast day on the…

10 months ago

A Traditional Recipe for Armenian Christmas Eve – Nevik

Way back in 2010 Ara Kassabian shared his family’s recipe for Nevik with The Armenian…

11 months ago

Thanksgiving Recipes Revisited

With Thanksgiving Day just hours away, I thought I’d share a few of our favorite,…

1 year ago

George Mardikian’s Chicken Tchakhokhbelli recipe, dish favored by Georgian princes.

My family and I had the distinct honor of meeting George Mardikian at his restaurant,…

1 year ago

This website uses cookies. find out more.