This Pomegranate, Mint and Cardamom Gimlet is simple to make, delicious, looks amazing and is the perfect way to celebrate pomegranate season!

Pomegranate, Mint and Cardamom Gimlet garnished with a mint leaf floating on top of the red cocktail. To the left side is a cut pomegranate quarter and in the background is a black bottle of gin.

I have been trying to eat, and drink, with the seasons. So I like to try and figure out recipes that work with whatever fruit and vegetables I can find fresh. Do I do this 100% of the time? Absolutely not. Do I even do this 80% of the time? Yeahh… No. But this Pomegranate, Mint and Cardamom Gimlet recipe was created trying to use one fruit that is characteristically only in season for a very short window, the pomegranate. I do like pomegranates but I do not eat them all that often. For no particular reason than I just don’t think about it until they are out of season. I have been burned by some lack luster pomegranates so I think that also makes me more tentative.

But I found this pomegranate juice at a local that was amazing! It was tart and honestly tasted like the pomegranate aerils! Like it had the earthiness that the seed within the juice capsule brings. Now if that isn’t spot on flavor, I don’t know what is! So after tasting this I knew I wanted to use it. And conveniently it was after the holidays when I had just purchased some fresh cardamom for some recipe or something. With these two ingredients in mind this cocktail came to life! And honestly, on paper it worked with the food bite but I wasn’t sure how it would be in practice. Well I can officially say, it pairs so well with the Roasted Cauliflower and Leek Soup, you must give it a go if you make the soup!

Cardamom simple syrup steeping the mint.

Recipe Notes and Substitutions

Gin– When I find a gin I like I tend to stick with it, so use the gin you like. For this one however, I do recommend one more on the cucumber side. The freshness cucumber brings pairs perfectly with the pomegranate and mint. However, whatever your favorite gin is, it will work. What if you don’t like or don’t have gin? Use vodka! That will also work well in the recipe. Clear rum, while I have not tried, I imagine would also work well. I would stay away from aged/darker spirits for this though.

Pomegranate juice– Honestly, fresh would be best but I didn’t even do that here. So, if you want to juice pomegranates by all means do that, you will not be sorry with the flavor but they are annoying to juice. Otherwise, use store bought pomegranate juice. Ideally it is 100% pomegranate juice, which can often times be found refrigerated in the produce section.

Lemon– Ok so in a standard gimlet you would use lime. However, lemon works better for the food pairing so I substituted lemon. Feel free to use lime if you are not pairing it with the Roasted Cauliflower and Leek Soup, it will also be amazing. Either way, fresh lemon or lime juice is the best to use.

Cardamom– There are a couple different types of cardamom out there. For a more in-depth look into the different types check out this post by Indian Estates. For this recipe you want to use green cardamom. I used whole pods because I find it keeps the flavor fresher for longer. You could use ground cardamom but will have to adjust the amount, probably about 1/8 to 1/4 tsp ground but I have not tried this.

Sugar– Use cane sugar, other sugars will change the color and flavor.

Mint– Use fresh spearmint for this. This is the most common mint you will find in the store. You could try dried mint but I have not tried this. You will likely need to adjust the amounts for dried mint. Also, the mint is infused into the simple syrup for this recipe. You could use fresh mint and muddle it in the cocktail similar to a mojito. This would work well, however I wanted to

Why this Pomegranate Mint Cardamom Gimlet pairing works… In my mind.

Roasted Cauliflower and Leek soup paired with the Pomegranate, Mint and Cardamom Gimlet

This Pomegranate, Mint and Cardamom Gimlet with the Roasted Cauliflower and Leek Soup works in a couple ways. First, the sweetness of pomegranate pairs with the earthy vegetable. Have you ever had roasted cauliflower with a pomegranate reduction? If not you are missing out! The earthiness of the pomegranate seed within the juice capsule perfectly mimics the cauliflower earthiness. Then the sweet and almost tartness similar to a sweetened cranberry of the pomegranate brings the cauliflower to life! So while there is not a reduction in this recipe, the pomegranate in the cocktail does the same thing. The Pomegranate flavor also pairs well with chimichurri by bringing sweetness to the herbaceous sauce.

Second, mint works to add freshness to the dish and cocktail. By having some mint in both, the soup and the cocktail are connected with this beautiful bridge ingredient. The mint also helps pair with the cardamom because both have menthol like characteristics that play off the flavors of the cauliflower and the pomegranate so well. Cardamom also has a pine like flavor that marries with the gin and the slight woodiness of the cauliflower. Easy drinking, easy souping this Pomegranate, Mint and Cardamom Gimlet and Roasted Cauliflower and Leek Soup pairing is a January produce ream team.