Lucky Bites – Foods to Bring Fortune in the New Year: Day 3
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As the clock ticks down to midnight and a new year beckons, there’s no better way to toast to fresh beginnings than with a drink that’s as lucky as it is delicious. Welcome to the third installment of my Lucky New Year’s Eve series, where each recipe is crafted to bring a little extra fortune, flavor, and fun to your celebrations.
Tonight’s star is the Pomegranate Gin Smash, a cocktail that’s practically a wish in a glass. Pomegranates have long been symbols of abundance, prosperity, and fertility in cultures around the world. In some traditions, the act of smashing a pomegranate at the doorstep is believed to bring good luck and scatter fortune for the year ahead. Their jewel-like seeds are not only stunning but also brimming with tangy-sweet goodness—the perfect pairing for the crisp, herbaceous notes of gin.
Whether you’re hosting a glittering party or keeping it cozy at home, this cocktail is a surefire way to add a touch of sparkle to your New Year’s Eve. So, dust off your shaker, gather your garnishes, and let’s mix up some luck as we sip our way into 2024!
Pomegranate Gin Smash
1
cocktail15
minutesThis vibrant and lucky cocktail blends tart pomegranate, herbaceous rosemary, and spiced star anise with bright lemon and botanical gin – a festive, jewel-toned sip perfect for ringing in the new year
Ingredients
- Star Anise Simple Syrup
1/4 cup sugar (50 grams)
1/4 cup water (60
mL)1 star anise
- Single Cocktail
2 Tablespoons pomegranate arils
1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses
1/2 sprig fresh rosemary
1/2 oz star anise simple syrup
1/2 oz lemon juice
1 1/2 oz gin
handful of ice
splash of lemon lime Poppi (or sub other lemon-lime soda)
fresh rosemary and pomegranate arils for garnishing
- Batched Cocktails (8 cocktails)
1 cup pomegranate arils
2 1/2 Tablespoons pomegranate molasses
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
1/2 cup star anise simple syrup (4 oz) (118 mL)
1/2 cup lemon juice (4oz) (118 mL)
2 cans lemon lime Poppi (or sub other lemon-lime soda)
about 4 cups of ice
fresh rosemary and pomegranate arils for garnishing
Directions
- Star Anise Simple Syrup
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, sugar, and star anise.
- Heat the syrup until all of the sugar has dissolved (you do not have to bring it to a boil). This will take about 2-3 minutes.
- Let cool completely – leaving the star anise in the syrup to infuse.
- Once cool, strain the syrup and set aside.
- Pomegranate Gin Smash
- Muddle together the pomegranate arils, rosemary, and pomegranate molasses.
- Add in the star anise simple syrup, lemon juice, gin, and ice, and shake or stir the cocktail.
- Pour over ice and top with lemon lime Poppi.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary and pomegranate arils and enjoy!
Notes
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