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Bruised Pomegranate

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (30)
Bruised Pomegranate image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄3 fl oz Straight rye whiskey (100 proof /50% alc./vol.)
1 1⁄3 fl oz Dubonnet, Byrrh etc. rouge light quinquina
1⁄6 fl oz Monin Grenadine Syrup
1⁄6 fl oz Chilled water/mineral water (omit if using wet ice)
1 dash La Fée Parisienne absinthe
1 dash Orange Bitters by Angostura
4 drop Chocolate bitters
2 drop Saline solution (20g sea salt to 80g water) or merest pinch of s (optional)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Retro Coupe Engraved 7.75oz

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist and Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.

Method

  1. THROW all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over cocktail and discard.
  2. Garnish with skewered maraschino cherry.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Bruised Pomegranate contains 136 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 26.35% alc./vol. (52.7° proof)
  • 21.7 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Created in August 2015 by yours truly at the Cabinet Room, London. In June 2026, I revisited the Bruised Pomegranate and reduced both the rye whiskey and rouge quinquina from 45ml (1½oz) each. Assuming the use of good-tempered bar ice, I also reduced the chilled water back down to a mere barspoon. This may seem an irreverently small amount of water, but this helps open the cocktail.

More cocktails by Simon Difford

Review

This cocktail sits somewhere in the East River between a Manhattan and a Brooklyn with a splash of Thames Estuary.

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$3.03 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 18.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Ruth Harvey
Everyone should know about this cocktail.... genius level in my opinion👌🏼
score: 1
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
I would agree that adding a skosh of pomegranate juice would add some savored acidity. My rye was 20 ml Dad’s Hat rye with 25 ml Wild Turkey 101 8 year. Also used Byrrh, Morgenthaler grenadine (my house standard), and Bittermens Xocolatl Mole... All this drink has is quality and potential for further excellence... Kudos on the recipe.
score: 1
Tuber Magnatum Premium Member
Hard, i.e. impossible to source Byrrh locally, dare I say nationally, so substituted Dubonnet. Not having tried Byrrh I can't speak to how it compares. I can say though this was excellent. But then I love grenadine (used homemade) and chocolate which shines in this drink.
score: 1
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
This is a rambunctious cocktail at first sip but does mellow with ice-melt in the glass (although ice in the glass is contrary to the instructions). I added 5ml of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, which did have a gently taming effect. All said, it's a wonderful cocktail!
score: 3
Chris English Premium Member
I agree that this is a fabulous way to showcase Byrrh. With pomegranate syrup (and 2.5ml sugar syrup) rather than grenadine it was an even more complex flavour. And just seemed right!
score: 2
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Superb, Sublime. Another wonderful reason to always keep a bottle of Byrrh in the fridge.
score: 2
Felicia Premium Member
If your throwing skills end up on the floor…is there another way to adequately mix?
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Best to stir rather than shake. Or, put all ingredients and ice into shaker and seal, but rather than shake, turn the shake in a rolling motion upending each end in turn.
score: 2
John CARR Premium Member
Great suggestion, thanks. Would this work for a Sazerac as well? I have thrown successfully in the past but just don’t do it often enough to be reliably confident.
score: 1
Simon Difford Simon Difford Continue thread (1 reply)

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Difford’s Shop logo
$3.03 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 18.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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