Holiday Pomegranate Vodka Pitcher Cocktail
Updated Dec 23, 2025
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This pitcher drink is a stunning color, nicely citrusy and the tiniest bit tart. Perfect when you are hosting a crowd, and want to offer something special without stirring up individual drinks!
This pitcher cocktail is perfect for any festive gathering, with its deep red color and bright citrusy flavors mixed with pomegranate juice and vodka. It’s nicely citrusy (for obvious reasons) and the tiniest bit tart.
You can make it ahead of time, which is the whole point of a pitcher drink, so you’re not mixing up individual drinks and missing your own party!
Serve this drink alongside Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce, Sweet Potato Casserole, or Marinated Petite Filets.
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What's In This Post?
A perfect cocktail for any holiday.
The first time I made this cocktail, it was to celebrate the Chinese New Year, so it had to be red, which in the Chinese culture symbolizes happiness and good luck. I’m as Chinese as Ming-Na Wen is Jewish, but babe, I’ll take all the happiness and good luck I have coming to me, and I’ll make her some latkes if she wants to swing on by.
Ingredients
- Pomegranate juice – Usually available in the refrigerator case near the produce section.
- Grapefruit juice, orange juice, and lime juice – I cannot stress enough the importance of using fresh citrus juice here; it will take your cocktail to the next level.
- Simple syrup – Or try the Ginger Basil Simple Syrup in this Basil Lemon Saketini.
- Vodka – Your favorite brand. You could use a lemon or orange vodka if you wanted to lean into the citrus.
- Orange to garnish – Optional, but why not?
Variations
- For a non-alcoholic alternative, you can skip the vodka and add soda or a non-alcoholic botanical spirit.
- If you aren’t really a vodka person, try using rum or gin instead.
How to Make a Pomegranate Vodka Cocktail
- Make the simple syrup.
- Make the cocktail. In a large pitcher, combine the pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and vodka.
- Chill.
- Serve. Pour the cocktail into ice-filled glasses. Garnish the glasses with the little citrus wedges if desired.
Tips
- Cutting a little slit into the orange wedge makes it easier to perch it on the glass as a garnish.
- Make sure you allow enough time for the cocktail to chill before serving. This will go faster if you start with chilled ingredients.
Make Ahead
You can make the simple syrup up to a week ahead of time, and the cocktail can be made several hours ahead and kept in the fridge.
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Holiday Pomegranate Vodka Pitcher Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- ½ cup fresh grapefruit juice
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 2 to 3 tablespoons simple syrup
- 1 ½ cups vodka
- quarter slice orange (to garnish; optional)
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and vodka. Chill for at least 1 hour, or until very cold.
- Fill glasses with ice, and pour the cocktail over the ice. Garnish the glasses with the little citrus wedges if desired (cutting a little slit into the wedge makes it easier to perch it on the glass)
Notes
- You can make the simple syrup up to a week ahead of time. Try it with Ginger Basil Simple Syrup.
- Make sure you allow enough time for the cocktail to chill before serving. This will go faster if you start with chilled ingredients.
- The cocktail can be made several hours ahead and kept in the fridge.
- Cutting a little slit into the orange wedge makes it easier to perch it on the glass as a garnish.
- Try gin in place of the vodka.
- This cocktail is easy to scale up for larger parties.
Nutrition
What to Serve With Pomegranate Vodka Cocktails
Holiday Dinner Menu
Start the festivities off with this red pitcher cocktail. Then think about:
- Dijon and Honey Crusted Pork Tenderloins
- Classic Baked Ham
- Brussels Sprouts, Apple, and Pomegranate Slaw (keep the pomegranate theme going, it’s very holiday!)
- Herb Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
- Thanksgiving Salad
- Add some rolls to make sandwiches for those who want to go that route.
- I like to serve a dipping sauce to go with all of the meats, as well as the potatoes. Try arugula basil sauce or harissa sauce for people to mix and match.
