A refreshing and just naturally sweet drink, these Pomegranate Sea Breeze Cocktails are the perfect summer vodka cocktail.

---

Simple doesn't mean boring with these Pomegranate Sea Breeze Cocktails. With just four ingredients, we have a cocktail that is cooling and refreshing while having no added sweeteners, and therefore not as many annoying hangovers.

Enjoy these cocktails by the pool, on your patio, or even just on your couch after a busy day of work. Just one sip and you'll be transported to your favorite summer beach.

Like many, this summer we've been on the constant hunt for socially distanced activities we can do outside to keep our sanity, get some fresh air, and (hopefully) even have some fun.

Running, hiking, biking, and walking have been -- as usual -- some of my more natural go-to's. But, as this current "situation continues to do, I've been motivated to move out outside of my normal "box"

Whether it's my brain's desire to see new things or just that a long run won't entertain me all day long, I've thrown myself into other activities that I probably wouldn't have considered or dove into as deeply as I have in years past.

I've started golfing (or shall I say, walking along with Chris while he golfs?), playing around with the idea of bird watching, and finding and watching birds while I walk along with Chris on the golf course.

Now, before I bore you with bird watching, let's get back to the golf piece.

After all, though you probably could sip a cocktail while you bird watch, it'll most likely be more fun to sip one while you walk down a fairway.

Especially when it's hot, totally when you're out there on a weekday afternoon, and even when you head out for a few holes after a long workday.

Beer or wine are almost always fun options for the sport, but on these long hot days I've quickly discovered that I need an iced beverage to stay cool for the long haul.

Insert the Sea Breeze here. By some act of fate, someone at the golf course recommended one to me a few months ago and there's been no turning back since.

Refreshing, naturally sweetened with fruit juice, and finishing with a clean vodka flavor, the grapefruit and cranberry juice drink cools me off and reminds me of (more normal) summers. They're not sickeningly sweet, meaning that I don't have to worry about headaches or (as much) dehydration later, either.

As I usually can't stop myself from doing, I started playing around with ways to make sea breeze variations of my own.

For example, though I don't mind cranberry juice, it isn't my favorite. Most also have added sugars to boot -- not enough to give me a bad hangover, but they're still something I prefer to minimize in my cocktails as much as possible.

Also, though I can get into some classic grapefruit juice, I figured why not play around with ruby red grapefruit juice? It would offer a bolder, yet more rounded out grapefruit flavor and -- let's not forget -- would lend a prettier color to the drinks. 😉

I experimented with different fruit juices, ratios, and combinations -- you know it was all in the name of science and sacrifice 😉 -- and landed on my favorite one.

With just ruby red grapefruit juice for a bold and lightly tart base, a splash of sweet, yet rich pomegranate juice to balance it out, and lime juice to brighten up the drink and tie it all together, this Pomegranate Sea Breeze is now officially one of my top drinks of 2020. But, it's even one I'm pretty sure I'll be drinking long past the days of social distancing and golf.

This vodka cocktail recipe is...

• Refreshing
• Cooling
• Tart
• Naturally sweet
• Summery
• Processed sugar-free
• Versatile
• Bold
• Light
• Bright

You'll love these pomegranate cocktails because they're easy to make but big on that summertime flavor.

Recipe ingredients:

Ruby red grapefruit juice - the bigger, slightly bolder flavor of ruby red grapefruit juice is the perfect complement to pomegranate juice.

Pomegranate juice - as tart as cranberry juice, but with naturally sweeter finish, this juice makes this drink memorable.

Vodka - the higher quality vodka, the better, but you don't have to break the bank to get a good one. I love Kirkland Signature's French Vodka (pictured below). You can find it for around $20 at Costco here in the U.S.!

Lime - this acidic fruit ties the whole drink together.

• 

• 

• 

Ingredient substitutions

Grapefruit juice - in a pinch, standard yellow grapefruit juice works in place of the ruby.

Pomegranate juice - if you can't find pomegranate juice, you can substitute in sweet cherry juice or cranberry juice. Just know that you're adding processed sugar to the drink by adding cranberry juice.

What are Sea Breeze Cocktails?

Sea Breezes are cocktails that are traditionally made with grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, vodka, and lime.

According to Wikipedia, they're a drink that originated in the 1920's as a totally different drink with gin and apricot brandy. The drink evolved over time to be a light and simple fruit juice-based cocktail that's perfect for the summer or the beach!

Where do you find ruby grapefruit juice and pomegranate juice?

I found ruby red grapefruit juice and pomegranate juice both at Trader Joe's. Most major grocery store chains in the United States should have these juices, too, as should Whole Foods!

• 

• 

How to make these Pomegranate Sea Breezes:

Making a sea breeze is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Pour 1.5 ounces (or 1 part) vodka into a large drinking glass of ice.
2. Add 3.5 ounces (or, roughly 2.5 parts) ruby red grapefruit juice into the glass.
3. Top that with 1.5 ounces (or 1 part) pomegranate juice and a squeeze of a lime wedge. Give the drink a few gentle stirs, garnish with a few slices of grapefruit (if you wish!), and serve cold!

• 

• 

• 

• 

Can you make this into mocktail?

Yes, you definitely can make this recipe into a mocktail. Just follow the steps listed, omitting the vodka and doubling the grapefruit and pomegranate juice, if needed.

Can you double or triple this recipe?

You can double or triple this recipe for sure. You can mix up all the ingredients in a pitcher for ease of serving, but I recommend mixing up individual drinks for your family and friends, as they're so pretty in the glasses.

What do you serve a Sea Breeze with?

Sea Breezes are pretty fruit-forward so they will go perfectly almost anywhere you'd enjoy a fruity drink. I love serving them in the following ways.

For happy hour, with:

• Chips and salsa
• Quesadillas
• Air fryer smashed potatoes
• Chicken satay skewers

For dinner, with:

• Salmon Panang Curry
• Turkey Sloppy Joes
• Bourbon Glazed Salmon
• Vegetable or Chicken Kabobs
• Jamaican Jerk Turkey Burgers
• Grilled shrimp

And, of course, these drinks are perfect poolside, at the beach, or on a golf course on a hot summer afternoon!

Tools needed to make this recipe:

• Shot glass
• Cutting board
• Paring knife
• Tall drink glasses

Looking for other healthier, lower sugar mixed drink recipes? Then, check out my Kombucha Whiskey Sours.

Other healthy summer recipes you might like:

• Peach and Avocado Salsa
• Jamaican Jerk Turkey Burgers
• Peach and Blueberry Crisp (Gluten-Free & Vegan!)
• Italian Tuna Pasta Salad
• Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler
• Tri-Tip Steak Marinade
• Spicy Honey Chicken Marinade

If you make and like this recipe, please review and rate it 5-stars at the top of the recipe card. This helps other people to find the recipes and helps this reader-supported publication, too!

Thank you so much for your feedback and support of Mae's Menu!