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Smoky Black Pomegranate Cocktail

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Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus optional infusion time)
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 1
Difficulty: Medium (requires layering and optional smoking technique)
Intensity: Moderate-High (complex flavors, unique techniques)

Ingredients

For the Cocktail:

  • 1 ½ oz (45ml) smoky mezcal (such as Del Maguey Vida or Montelobos)

  • ½ oz (15ml) Yellow Chartreuse

  • 1 oz (30ml) fresh pomegranate juice (see note)

  • ½ oz (15ml) fresh lime juice, strained

  • ½ oz (15ml) rich simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water) or pomegranate molasses for extra depth

  • ¼ oz (7.5ml) activated charcoal-infused vodka* (see The Black Magic below)

  • 1 fresh egg white (optional, for silky texture)

For the Garnish & Presentation:

  • 1 small, whole pomegranate, top ¼ cut off and insides carefully scooped out to create a “cup” (reserve arils and juice)

  • Optional Smoking Method: Clove, star anise, or a small piece of cinnamon stick + food-safe smoking chip (applewood or cherrywood)

  • Pomegranate arils (seeds)

  • Edible gold flakes (optional, for dramatic contrast)

  • Ice (for shaking)

Equipment:

  • Cocktail shaker

  • Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer (double-strain)

  • Jigger for measuring

  • Coupe or Nick & Nora glass, chilled

  • Smoking gun or method for garnishing (optional)

  • Small fine-mesh sieve for charcoal vodka

Instructions

Part 1: The Preparation (Mise en Place & The Black Vodka)

  1. Make the Activated Charcoal Vodka (Can be done days ahead): In a small jar, combine 4 oz (120ml) of plain, unflavored vodka with ½ teaspoon of food-grade activated charcoal powder. Seal tightly and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Let it sit for at least 1 hour (or up to 3 days), shaking occasionally. The charcoal will not fully dissolve but will suspend. Before using, strain through a fine-mesh sieve or coffee filter to remove any gritty particles. You will have more than needed for one cocktail. Store indefinitely at room temperature.

  2. Prepare the Pomegranate “Smoke Vessel”: Carefully cut the top quarter off a small pomegranate. Using a spoon and your fingers, gently scoop out the arils and membrane, reserving them for juice and garnish. Try to keep the white pith intact to create a sturdy cup. Set aside.

  3. Chill Your Glass: Place your coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer at least 15 minutes before assembling.

Part 2: The Shake & Build (The Foundation)

  1. The Dry Shake (If Using Egg White): For an ultra-silky, velvety mouthfeel and a stable foam, add the egg white to your cocktail shaker first. Then add the mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Secure the lid tightly and shake with no ice (a “dry shake”) vigorously for 15-20 seconds. This emulsifies the egg white.

  2. The Wet Shake: Open the shaker, add a generous handful of ice, secure the lid again, and shake vigorously for another 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty cold.

  3. Strain: Double-strain the cocktail into your chilled glass using both your Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch any small ice chips or pulp, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top.

Part 3: The Dramatic Presentation (The “Black Magic” & Smoke)

  1. The Black Float: Slowly and carefully pour the ¼ oz of strained, activated charcoal vodka over the back of a chilled spoon held just above the surface of the drink. The inky black vodka should float on top of the crimson cocktail, creating a stark, swirling contrast. Do not stir.

  2. The Smoked Garnish (Optional but Recommended):

    • Place a clove or star anise inside the hollowed pomegranate cup.

    • Using a smoking gun with applewood chips, fill the pomegranate cup with aromatic smoke. Immediately cover the opening with a small piece of plastic wrap or a coaster to trap the smoke.

    • Just before serving, uncover the pomegranate and invert it quickly over the cocktail glass. As you lift it, the fragrant smoke will cascade down over the drink, infusing the air with aroma. Place the smoked pomegranate cup next to the glass as part of the garnish.

  3. Final Flourish: Sprinkle a few fresh pomegranate arils and edible gold flakes directly onto the black float. They will glisten against the dark surface.

Part 4: The Ritual of Drinking

  1. Serve Immediately: Present the cocktail immediately after the smoke ritual.

  2. To Drink: Instruct your guest to first appreciate the aroma—the smoke, the tart pomegranate, the herbal notes. For the first sip, they should drink through the black layer, experiencing the striking visual as the glass tilts and the flavors merge. The activated charcoal vodka adds minimal flavor but immense drama.

The Mixologist’s Grimoire: Tips, Secrets & Variations

  • The Black Magic (Safety Note): FOOD-GRADE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL ONLY. Do not use charcoal from an art store or grill. It is for visual effect only. Important: Activated charcoal can absorb medications. Advise guests accordingly if this is a concern, or offer a non-charcoal version.

  • Pomegranate Juice: For the best flavor, make it fresh. Cut a pomegranate in half and use a citrus juicer, or blend arils and strain. Bottled 100% pomegranate juice is a good backup.

  • No Smoking Gun? Create a fragrant garnish by rubbing the rim of the glass with the peel of the lime, then dipping it in a mix of sugar and a pinch of smoked paprika. Or, lightly torch a cinnamon stick and drop it into the pomegranate cup just before inverting.

  • Egg-Free Version: Omit the egg white. The cocktail will be slightly less silky but just as delicious. You can add one extra small ice cube to the shaker for more dilution and aeration.

  • Spirit Variations: For a less smoky profile, use a reposado tequila. For more bite, try a peated Scotch whisky instead of mezcal. For a non-alcoholic “mocktail,” use a smoked black tea syrup in place of mezcal and a non-alcoholic herbal aperitif in place of Chartreuse.

  • The Chartreuse Shortage: Yellow Chartreuse is herbal and slightly sweet. If unavailable, substitute with ¼ oz Strega plus ¼ oz simple syrup, or ½ oz Benedictine.

Nutritional Information (Per Cocktail, approximate):

  • Calories: ~220 kcal

  • Total Carbohydrates: 18g

    • Sugars: 16g (from juice and syrup)

  • Protein: 2g (if using egg white)

Note: Nutritional information for cocktails is highly variable and difficult to standardize. This estimate does not include the activated charcoal vodka float, which adds negligible calories/carbs. The primary sources are the simple syrup, pomegranate juice, and liqueurs.

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