Tasty Tuesday: Virgin Pomegranate and Cranberry Bellinis

The holidays are here and the festive parties are about to begin. I thought it would only be fair for those who are trying to stay away from holiday pounds to substitute the food for a nice chilling beverage. During the holidays people love to take a sip of this and a sip of that, everyone becomes a drinker only for the nostalgia. I'm not so much of an alcoholic beverage drinker, but when I do I love something not so hard tasting that will give me a buzz. I'm more of your fruity type alcohol person, my drink has to taste like juice with a little kick.

Here's a drink I found on Food Network's website that sounds so delicious for those wanting just a holiday buzz. Now of course the title says virgin, but i'm giving you the option to pour your own alcohol drink in it as a mix. Today's Tasty Tuesday holiday buzz recipe comes from Giada De Laurentiis from Food Network Channels show Everyday Italian the Healthy Snacks episode. Hmm, we can tell this drink is of Italian decent, so you know we're bound to have a GOOD time! This drink is called the Virgin Pomegranate and Cranberry Bellinis. I hope you enjoy this delicious cocktail :-)!

Ingredients

• 1 cup ice
• 1 1/2 cups simple syrup, recipe follows
• 1 1/4 cups unsweetened pomegranate juice, chilled
• 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice, chilled
• 1 (25.3 fluid ounces) bottle sparkling water, chilled
• 2 limes, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch fresh mint, for garnish
• Optional garnish: 1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces) pomegranate seeds
• Special equipment: a 6 to 8 cup capacity punch bowl

Directions

Place the ice in a punch bowl. Add the simple syrup, pomegranatejuice, and cranberry juice. Stir well. Slowly pour in the sparkling water. Garnish with lime slices, mint sprigs and pomegranate seeds, if using, and serve.

Serving Suggestion: As an alternative to serving from a punch bowl, make the bellini mixture in a 6 to 8 cup capacity pitcher. Divide the pomegranate seeds between 12 champagne flutes. Add 1 slice oflime and 1 sprig of mint to each glass. Pour the bellini mixture into the prepared glasses and serve.

Simple syrup:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

In a saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Take the pan off the heat and allow the syrup to cool.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

For More cocktails and holiday favorite drinks please visit Food Network Online and for this recipe's link please Click Here.