Pomegranates & Fall Cocktails
Pomegranate, long considered a symbol of fertility, has been grown and eaten for millennia.
Pomegranate’s reputation must be a result of its abundance of appealing qualities. The tree produces fruit that provides beautiful spots of bright red in the landscape. In fall, its foliage changes to a gorgeous hot yellow. The fruit is beloved for its tangy flavor and exceptional antioxidant properties. We honor the pomegranate for all these reasons, plus it’s just that perfect bridge plant as we embrace the fall season and say goodbye to the summer garden.
IN THE GARDEN
Pomegranate originates from the Middle East. Most pomegranates are hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10 and prefer well-drained soils. They grow best in full sun, although the shrubs will tolerate some shade. Most varieties are self- pollinating and require only 150 chill hours to produce fruit. Pomegranate can be grown as a multiple- trunk shrub or as a standard tree that grows 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.5 m) tall. It can also be espaliered, or trained to grow flat against a wall. In a small space or near a pathway, plant pomegranate as a standard tree, because the shrubs can spread spiny branches into walkways, poking passersby. Keep your pomegranate pruned at 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) tall for easy harvest. Unfussy and easy to maintain, pomegranate should be pruned during the winter. Our favorites include ‘Wonderful’, ‘Ambrosia’, and ‘Eversweet’.
HARVEST
When the fruit is very ripe, the outer skin will begin to crack. When you start seeing cracks, it is your cue to harvest all the fruit, both cracked and uncracked. Snip the fruit off the branch, or cut the entire branch to use inside for decoration. Pomegranate fruits can be stored for up to 3 months in the refrigerator if kept whole. To harvest its seeds, score the bottom with an X and push on the X to break the pomegranate open without breaking open the seeds. You can also simply cut the fruit in half, but this will release some of the seeds’ highly staining juice. Each mature fruit can contain 200 to 1,400 seeds. Seed the pomegranate into a bowl of cold water. The white, pithy membrane will float to the top and the seeds will sink to the bottom. Scoop the pith out of the bowl, strain the seeds, and add them to salads or add the juice to sparkling water or cocktails. To juice the seeds, place them in a sealable plastic bag and run a rolling pin over the bag. Then cut a corner of the bag and pour off the juice. Pomegranate juice can be preserved by freezing for up to a year.
Pomegranate Margarita
Classic cocktail meets holiday tradition, compliments of my mom, Garna, who took the margarita and dressed it with a splash of festive red. This is our family’s go to fall cocktail. Whether you are making a single glass or a pitcher, the ratio of the ingredients stays the same. Use more lime juice if you prefer a tart margarita or more pomegranate juice if you prefer it sweeter.
MAKES 4 DRINKS
1 cup of your favorite tequila
1 cup triple sec
1⁄2 cup fresh pomegranate juice (from about 2 pomegranates)
1⁄2 cup fresh lime juice
Large-grained salt such as kosher or flake salt
Lime slice
Ice cubes
Handful of pomegranate seeds, for garnish
Combine the tequila, triple sec, and both juices in a pitcher and stir thoroughly. Pour the salt onto a small plate. Rub the lime slice around the rim of each glass, and then dip the rims in the salt. Pour the margarita over ice in the salt-rimmed glasses. For a seasonal festive touch, garnish with the pomegranate seeds.
Upcoming Events
The Pomegranate Margarita will be one of the Fall Cocktails that Rose & I will be sharing at our Fall Botanical Cocktail class on October 26th! Rose is closing the herb farm early that day and we will have Morningsun all to ourselves for a fun night of tasting, demonstrations and a hands on cocktail making class (there will be mock-tails for drivers!). If you are in the Bay Area that weekend, come out and join us!
October 26th Morningsun Herb Farm- Vacaville, Ca. The Fall Botanical Cocktail Class 4pm Learn how to create fall inspired botanical based cocktails from the garden.
November 9th Soulfood Farms- Vacaville, Ca. The Italian Garden. We will hold our class in the middle of the olive orchards dripping with olives on the cusp of being harvested. The class will include an Italian farm lunch eaten in the orchard. The Italian landscape will be translated into the California vernacular inspiring the Italian life into a Californian slant.
November 13th A Writer’s Garden Literary Symposium - Dallas, Texas
February 27th and March 29th, 2025 Grow Your Own Salad Lafayette, Ca
Ever dreamt of savoring a fresh, crisp salad made from your own garden? Join us for our "Grow Your Own Salad" hands-on workshop where you will learn the process of growing and harvesting salad greens.
In this interactive class, you'll dive into the essentials of growing a vibrant salad garden. You will learn through each step of the process, from planting to harvesting. Learn how to select the best salad greens for our climate, prepare your soil, and nurture your plants to ensure a bountiful harvest. We’ll cover essential tips on watering, weeding, and organic pest control, giving you the tools to cultivate a thriving salad garden.
At the end of the class we will create a delicious, fresh salad together, allowing you to enjoy what a local, home grown salad embodies.
Well I might just have to try that margarita!