April 30, 2007

Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposeThe Cosmopompomitan Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposeFabulous Finds: "Soleful" Purpose

My nine year old daughter and I took a three day “girls’ weekend” to New York recently. We were on our way to Saks for a little “designer drooling” when Chloe spotted the American Girl Store (or should I stay the American Girl City Block). She nailed me moments before I hit the Saks revolving door. About 20 minutes and 250 unexpected dollars later, we emerged from doll hell and I decided that I needed a drink. (I was on vacation after all!)

We jumped in a cab and headed downtown to the Village for some lunch and, of course, a drink. We stopped in a little bistro that we had passed earlier and this was where I began to notice a trend emerging in Manhattan. This was the third restaurant that we had been in that had pomegranates on its menu in one form or another. The antioxidant toting pomegranate has arrived as the hippest new “must have” culinary accessory. The range of dishes featured throughout our weekend included pomegranate glazed sea bass, wild baby greens with pomegranates, pomegranate infused spring lamb chops and most interestingly to me, the pomegranate cosmopolitan. Waiter?

Within the past few years, numerous studies have pointed to those beautiful little seeds containing massive amounts of the highly coveted antioxidants. They are said to prevent those nasty little “free radicals” and slow aging, improve sun damaged skin (hello!) and prevent certain cancers. Well, I know that having pomegranate juice with vodka may not be the best way to reap these benefits, but I figured at least I might be breaking even!

Back home, my family and I have sampled several of the pomegranate teas and juices on the market (sans Absolut). Although Pom (www.pomwonderful.com) is the most popular, we also have discovered Odwalla PomaGrand (www.odwalla.com). Both are delicious when mixed in equal proportion with either sparkling water and a squeeze of lime or iced green tea. And, for those of you who prefer it the “happy hour” way, mixed with vodka, here’s the recipe. Cheers!

The “Cosmopomitan”

1 ½ cups pomegranate juice
2 oz. Absolut Citron vodka (or your favorite lemon vodka)
1 oz. Cointreau liquer
1 cup of ice
Squeeze of lemon or lime

Shake ingredients in a shaker and put in chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a lemon twist and drink up!

Any comments?