Kate Hudson’s “Delicious” Vodka Cocktail Recipe Is My Favorite Festive Drink

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When the holidays come around, you may gravitate toward making a bunch of cozy cocktails like spiked hot chocolate or boozy apple cider, but if you’re looking for something that’ll transport you to the tropics (even if you don’t have a vacation planned!), you’ll want to tap into brighter libations. While searching for drink ideas with more vibrant and refreshing notes, I came across a recipe for Kate Hudson’s pomegranate sour, which she deemed “the best addition to a holiday table,” in an interview with People. I plan on hosting a few festive parties this year, so I decided to try it to see if it’s worth making for my guests.

Combine a half cup of pomegranate juice, 1/4 cup of vodka, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons of simple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of orange liqueur in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; cover with a lid and shake for about 15 seconds. Next, strain the drink into a cocktail glass filled with ice and garnish it with pomegranate arils and orange slices.

Finding all the ingredients for Hudson’s pomegranate sour was reasonably straightforward. I picked up everything at my local grocer and then went to a shop that sells spirits to get an orange liqueur. Quick mixology note: There are tons of orange liqueurs out there, like curaçao, triple sec, Grand Marnier, and Cointreau, and any of these alcohols will work in this drink.

Overall, I was immediately impressed with the flavor of this cocktail. It is bright, fruit-forward, and refreshing but not cloying, which happens to certain drinks when you mix in sweet ingredients like simple syrup and pineapple juice.

I plan to make a large batch of Hudson’s pomegranate sour and serve it in a festive punch bowl at my holiday parties this year. This cocktail is not only incredibly easy to make but also provides a bright and refreshing way to celebrate the season with its fruit-forward flavors.