Pomegranate-Rosemary Shrub Mocktail

Whether you’re taking a break from alcohol for “Dry January,” cutting back on booze, are a non-drinker, or just want something refreshing and healthy to sip at the end of the day, this mocktail is for you.

Many of my protocols are more effective when you cut back or avoid alcohol completely. In fact, alcohol can be a tax on both liver, gut and brain health, so cutting down or avoiding alcohol is always a good idea. But that doesn’t mean you can’t drink something fun and delicious! That’s one thing I love about the mocktail (or zero proof cocktail) trend. Restaurants and mixologists have gotten so creative with delicious drinks sans the booze. While skipping the alcohol is a good idea, restaurant mocktails can be high in added sugar, so be aware. Making mocktails at home gives you full control over the ingredients, and my favorite type of mocktail (and cocktail) is this high antioxidant Pomegranate-Rosemary “Shrub.”

A shrub is a vinegar-based beverage typically made from fruit, sugar, and vinegar. In my Pomegranate-Rosemary Shrub, I’m using a little bit of maple syrup, naturally fermented apple cider vinegar, and 100% pure pomegranate juice. Of course we’re adding phyto-rich rosemary and black peppercorns for aromatics, flavor and dimension.

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 cup POM Wonderful pomegranate juice

½ cup apple cider vinegar (with the “mother”)

10 whole black peppercorns (or ¼ tsp crushed/ground black pepper)

2 Tbsp fresh rosemary, slightly bruised (smack them around to bruise them)

¼ tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp pure maple syrup

Sparkling water

Pomegranate arils and fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

In a mason jar or other resealable jar, combine pomegranate juice, vinegar, peppercorns, rosemary, vanilla extract and maple syrup. Seal, shake well and let chill in the refrigerator, ideally for 2-3 days, but it’ll be delicious even if you don’t make ahead. When ready to serve, fill your glass with plenty of ice, fill half the glass with pomegranate-vinegar shrub mixture filtered through a strainer, and fill the rest of the glass with sparkling water. Top with a few pomegranate arils, garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary and enjoy!

Tip: Make this a few days before you’re next celebration. The longer it sits, the better!