Nojito de Granada

Name: Nojito de Granada
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 10-12 leaves Mint Leaves; 30 ml / 1 oz Lime Juice; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Simple Syrup; 90 ml / 3 oz Pomegranate Juice; 60 ml / 2 oz Sparkling Water; 1 teaspoon Pomegranate Arils (optional); 1 wedge Lime Wedge (optional); 1 sprig Mint Sprig (optional)

Ingredients Instructions

The Nojito de Granada is a beautiful and delicious alcohol-free take on the classic mojito. It perfectly balances the sweet and tart notes of pomegranate juice with the coolness of fresh mint and the bright acidity of lime. Topped with sparkling water, it's a bubbly and invigorating drink suitable for any occasion, offering a complex flavor profile without any alcohol.

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Nojito de Granada is classified as a mocktail, a non-alcoholic beverage designed to mimic the experience of a cocktail. It falls into the fruity category due to the prominent pomegranate flavor and is a creative, alcohol-free twist on the classic mojito family of drinks.

Serving

Served cold in a tall Highball or Collins glass over plenty of ice, this is a refreshing, completely alcohol-free drink perfect for sipping.

Serving size

~240 ml / 8 oz

Alcohol content

0% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Highball

Glass treatment

None

Backstory

This drink is a modern creation, born from the growing demand for sophisticated non-alcoholic options. It leverages the popularity of the classic mojito and the antioxidant-rich pomegranate to create a healthy and flavorful alternative. While not having a deep historical backstory, it represents the contemporary trend of mindful drinking and creative mixology.

Origin

This is a modern mocktail without a specific origin, but it draws inspiration from the Cuban Mojito. It emerged in the early 21st century as part of the global craft mocktail movement.

Nojito de Granada

The drink is commonly known as the Pomegranate Mojito Mocktail or Pomegranate No-jito. The name "Nojito de Granada" is a more evocative Spanish-inspired name, combining "No-jito" (a non-alcoholic mojito) with "Granada," the Spanish word for pomegranate, which is the star ingredient.

Original name

Nojito de Granada

Alternative names

Pomegranate Mojito Mocktail
Pomegranate No-jito
Virgin Pomegranate Mojito

Characteristics overview

This mocktail offers a refreshing burst of mint and lime on the nose, followed by a sweet-tart fruity flavor from the pomegranate. It has a light, bubbly texture and a stunning ruby red appearance, making it a perfect year-round refreshing drink.

Flavor

fruity, tart, sweet, minty, refreshing, zesty

Aroma

mint, citrus, pomegranate

Taste balance

sweet-sour

Aftertaste

clean, refreshing, short

Fizziness

light, bubbly

Color appearance

deep ruby red, pink, clear with mint leaves

Texture

light, crisp, effervescent

Seasonality

refreshing, summery, year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is dominated by a pleasant balance of fruitiness and sourness, with moderate sweetness and carbonation. It is a completely non-alcoholic drink with no bitterness, saltiness, or creaminess.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This mocktail requires fresh mint leaves, lime juice, simple syrup, and pomegranate juice, all topped with sparkling water. Fresh ingredients are key to achieving the vibrant and refreshing taste profile.

Mint Leaves10-12 leaves
Use fresh mint for the best flavor.
Lime Juice30 ml / 1 oz
Freshly squeezed is highly recommended.
Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
Can be substituted with agave nectar to ensure it's vegan. Adjust to taste.
Pomegranate Juice90 ml / 3 oz
Use 100% pure, unsweetened pomegranate juice.
Sparkling Water60 ml / 2 oz
Or club soda. To top.
Pomegranate Arils1 teaspoon(optional)
For garnish.
Lime Wedge1 wedge(optional)
For garnish.
Mint Sprig1 sprig(optional)
For garnish.

Ice type

Crushed or Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a muddler to release the oils from the mint and a tall glass to build the drink in. A bar spoon is useful for a final gentle stir.

Muddler, for gently bruising the mint leaves.
Highball glass, for building and serving the drink.
Bar spoon, for stirring.

Instructions

The drink is built directly in the serving glass by first muddling mint with lime and syrup, then adding ice, pomegranate juice, and a splash of sparkling water. A quick stir and garnish complete the preparation.

1. In the bottom of a Highball glass, gently muddle the mint leaves with the lime juice and simple syrup. Do not shred the mint, just bruise it lightly to release its oils.

2. Fill the glass with crushed or cubed ice.

3. Add the pomegranate juice to the glass.

4. Top with sparkling water.

5. Give the drink a gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.

6. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, a sprinkle of pomegranate arils, and a lime wedge. Serve immediately.

Garnishing

Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, a sprinkle of pomegranate arils for a pop of color and texture, and a lime wedge on the rim.

Mint Sprig, spanked to release aroma and placed in the top of the drink.
Pomegranate Arils, sprinkled over the top.
Lime Wedge, placed on the rim of the glass.

Dietary Information

This drink is naturally alcohol-free, caffeine-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and suitable for both vegans and vegetarians when made with sugar syrup or agave instead of honey.

✕ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This mocktail is relatively low in calories, with its energy coming primarily from the natural and added sugars in the juice and syrup. It provides a moderate amount of carbohydrates.

Calories

Averagely 110-140 kcal / 460-585 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Averagely 28-35 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Averagely 25-32 g

Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect for summer parties, brunches, or baby showers, the Nojito de Granada is a festive choice for any celebration. It's also an excellent option for designated drivers or anyone seeking a delicious, health-conscious beverage.

Baby Shower
Brunch
Summer Party
Designated Driver Choice
Healthy Alternative

Pairing suggestions

The Nojito de Granada pairs wonderfully with light and fresh foods like salads, grilled white meats, and Mediterranean mezze platters. Its sweet and tart profile can also complement spicy dishes by providing a cooling contrast.

Light salads
Grilled chicken or fish
Mediterranean appetizers
Fruit platters
Spicy dishes

Nojito de Granada: A Ruby Red Refresher

The Nojito de Granada is a visually stunning and delightfully refreshing mocktail. It transforms the classic mojito into a non-alcoholic gem with the addition of rich, tart pomegranate juice. Easy to prepare and bursting with the fresh flavors of mint and lime, it's an elegant and healthy choice for any occasion, proving that alcohol-free drinks can be just as exciting and complex as their spirited counterparts.