Rosemary Clementine Margarita (Pomegranate & Cinnamon Sugar Rim!)

Get ready for a truly festive and delicious cocktail experience with these Pomegranate Rosemary Clementine Margaritas! This unique drink features the sweet juice of fresh clementines, tart pomegranate juice, a hint of orange liqueur, smooth tequila, and an amazing homemade rosemary cinnamon simple syrup. To make it even more special, it's served in a glass with a delightful cinnamon salty sugar rim. I absolutely love this Clementine Margarita because it's bursting with complex citrus, herbal, and spiced notes - perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself on a lovely spring evening like today, May 6th!

Why You'll Love This Rosemary Clementine Margarita

• Unique & Festive Flavor: A sophisticated blend of sweet clementine, tart pomegranate, aromatic rosemary, warm cinnamon, and classic margarita elements.
• Homemade Infused Syrup: The rosemary cinnamon simple syrup is easy to make and adds incredible depth.
• Beautiful Presentation: The cinnamon salty sugar rim and vibrant garnishes make it look stunning.
• Refreshing with a Twist: A bright, citrusy margarita with an unexpected herbal and spiced warmth.
• Perfect for Entertaining: Easily multiplied and sure to be a conversation starter.

Ingredients for Pomegranate Rosemary Clementine Margaritas

Here's what you'll need to craft this festive and flavorful margarita. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Rosemary Cinnamon Simple Syrup

• Water (Liquid)
• Sugar (Sweetener)
• Cinnamon sticks (Spice)
• Rosemary sprigs (Herb)

Cinnamon Salty Sugar Rim

• Coarse margarita salt (or kosher/sea salt) (Seasoning)
• Sugar (Sweetener)
• Cinnamon (Spice)
• Lime wedge (for rimming glass) (Fruit) (Added based on instructions)

Clementine Juice

• Clementines (Fruit)

Margarita Cocktail

• Lime juice (freshly squeezed) (Acid)
• Clementine juice (from above) (Juice)
• Pomegranate juice (Juice)
• Rosemary cinnamon simple syrup (from above) (Sweetener/Flavoring)
• Tequila (Silver/Blanco recommended) (Liquor)
• Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur) (Liqueur)
• Ice (Ice)

Garnish (Optional)

• Lime slices
• Pomegranate arils
• Cinnamon sticks
• Rosemary sprigs

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I adore the specific flavor profile of this Rosemary Clementine Margarita, but feel free to experiment:

• Different Citrus: Use regular orange juice or tangerine juice if clementines aren't available. Blood orange juice would also be stunning.
• Different Herbs in Syrup: Try thyme or sage in the simple syrup instead of rosemary.
• Make it Spicy: Add a thin slice or two of jalapeño to the cocktail shaker.
• Different Sweetener: Use agave nectar in the margarita instead of simple syrup (you'll miss the infused flavor, so maybe add a rosemary sprig/cinnamon stick to the shaker).
• Smoky Version: Use mezcal instead of tequila for a smoky depth.

How to Make a Rosemary Clementine Margarita

Making this festive Rosemary Clementine Margarita involves a few easy component preparations:

Make the Rosemary Cinnamon Simple Syrup

1. First, I create the aromatic simple syrup. In a medium saucepan, I combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, the cinnamon sticks, and the fresh rosemary sprigs.
2. I bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
3. Once boiling, I immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
4. I let the syrup cool completely with the cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs steeping in it to fully infuse the flavors.
5. Once cool, I strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean jar or container, discarding the cinnamon and rosemary. (This syrup stores well in the fridge!)

Make the Cinnamon Salty Sugar Rim

1. On a small shallow plate, I combine the coarse margarita salt (or other salt), granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon.
2. I stir these together with my fingers or a fork until they are evenly mixed. I set this aside.

Make the Fresh Clementine Juice

1. I peel the clementines.
2. I add the peeled clementine segments to my blender and blend until completely smooth.
3. I pour the blended clementine juice through a fine-mesh strainer into a cup or bowl, pressing gently on the pulp to extract all the juice. I discard the pulp left in the strainer. (Fresh juice makes all the difference!)

Prep Glass and Shake the Margarita

1. Now, I prepare my margarita glass (a coupe, margarita glass, or rocks glass works well). I moisten the outer edge of the glass rim with a fresh lime wedge.
2. I dip the moistened rim into the prepared cinnamon salty sugar mixture until evenly coated.
3. I fill the prepared glass with crushed ice (or regular ice cubes).
4. In a cocktail shaker, I add a handful of fresh ice cubes.
5. I add the fresh lime juice, fresh clementine juice, pomegranate juice, the homemade rosemary cinnamon simple syrup, tequila, and Grand Marnier to the shaker.
6. I secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 20-30 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is very cold.

Pour and Serve

1. Strain into prepared glass.
2. Garnish and serve!

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Festive Margarita

Here are my secrets for making this Rosemary Clementine Margarita truly special:

• Fresh Juices are Key: Use freshly squeezed lime, clementine, and good quality pomegranate juice for the brightest, most authentic flavors.
• Cool Syrup Completely: Ensure the rosemary cinnamon simple syrup is fully cooled before using it in the shaker with ice to prevent excessive dilution.
• Quality Tequila & Liqueur: Use a 100% agave silver (blanco) tequila and a good quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau.
• Shake Well: A proper, vigorous shake chills the drink perfectly, adds the right amount of dilution, and aerates it slightly for a better texture.
• Taste and Adjust: Sweetness of clementines and tartness of limes can vary. Taste the finished margarita (before adding to the final glass if you want to adjust) and add a tiny bit more syrup or lime juice if needed.

How to Serve

This Rosemary Clementine Margarita is best served immediately while icy cold! Enjoy it:

• Chilled: Strained over fresh ice in the prepared cinnamon-salt-sugar rimmed glass.
• For Festive Occasions: A perfect signature cocktail for spring gatherings, holiday parties (plan ahead for citrus season!), or sophisticated entertaining.
• With Appetizers: Pairs wonderfully with savory or slightly spicy appetizers.

Garnish with a thin lime slice, a few pomegranate arils, a small cinnamon stick, and a fresh rosemary sprig for an extra festive touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

• Rosemary Cinnamon Simple Syrup: This is the ideal make-ahead component! Store the cooled, strained syrup in an airtight bottle or jar in the refrigerator for several weeks.
• Fresh Clementine Juice: Best made fresh, but can be juiced a few hours ahead and stored covered in the fridge.
• Cocktail: Like most shaken citrus cocktails, this margarita is best mixed fresh just before serving.

FAQs about Rosemary Clementine Margarita

• What if I can't find clementines?
  • Substitute with freshly squeezed juice from other mandarins, tangerines, or sweet oranges. Adjust sweetness if needed.
• Can I use a different herb in the syrup?
  • Yes, thyme would also complement the citrus and pomegranate well. Or try just a cinnamon syrup without herbs.
• Is Grand Marnier necessary?
  • Grand Marnier adds a lovely depth and orange flavor. You can substitute with Cointreau or a quality Triple Sec. If omitting orange liqueur entirely, the drink will be less complex; you might add a touch more simple syrup or a splash of orange juice.

Enjoy this unique, festive, and incredibly flavorful Pomegranate Rosemary Clementine Margarita! It's a delightful sip for any special occasion.

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