Winter-Spiced Pomegranate & Clementine Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine, such as Grenache
• 1 cup reduced-calorie cranberry-juice cocktail
• 1 cup pure pomegranate juice
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau
• 2 clementines, halved & thinly sliced into half rounds
• 1 lemon thinly sliced
• 4 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 5 star anises
• 1 cup diet lemon-lime soda
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

Makes 8 Servings ( 1/2 cup per serving)

1. Combine wine, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, clementines, lemon, cinnamon sticks, and star anise in large pitcher.
2. Refrigerate at least several hours or up to overnight to allow flavors to blend.
3. When ready to serve, discard the cinnamon sticks and star anises, and pour in soda. Fill 8 wineglasses or other glasses with ice and top with sangria. Sprinkle with pomegranate.



WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. You can enjoy Sangria in the winter time with the right flavors. Pomegranate seeds and juice, cranberry juice, and clementines, are the perfect winter fruits for this cocktail. The cinnamon, star anise, and red wine have an earthy combination and leave a unique aftertaste in your mouth. Serve this to your guests and they will be delighted. Let the guests top off their sangria with a splash of seltzer. It will lighten the drink and give them some extra spark.

 

Pomegranate, Pear, & Granny Smith Applesauce

Ingredients:

• 2 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 Bartlett pear, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 2 tbsp. agave syrup
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped and reserved
• 1 small pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Makes 4 Servings (1/2 cup each)

1. Combine apples, pear, pomegranate juice, agave syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla bean and seeds, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer; cover and reduce heat to a low simmer.
2. Stir occasionally until apples and pears become a puree, about 20 minutes. Adjust seasoning with lemon juice and cool.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Sonoma Cookbook. Fall is coming and who does not love homemade applesauce? This fruity applesauce is full of natural flavors and is so delicious. This is not your typical applesauce made from apples and lots of granulated sugar. The agave nectar syrup acts as a sugar substitute an adds more sweetness to the applesauce. The pomegranate juice add a little more tartness to the applesauce and the pears give it a nice variety. The vanilla also adds a touch of sweetness; I added the cinnamon and nutmeg because cinnamon and nutmeg always make any apple dish taste better. You can also use cranberry juice in place of the pommegranate juice and your applesauce will still be yummy. 

Pomegranate Punch

Ingredients:

• 1 orange, unpeeled
• 1 lemon, unpeeled
• 1 (2-liter) bottle seltzer water, chilled
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened pomegranate juice

Makes 20 (3/4-cup) Servings

Cut 4 thin slices from each orange and lemon, then quarter slices. Combine seltzer, pomegranate juice and orange and lemon quarters in a pitcher. Pour over ice and serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 0 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook. This is a refreshing drink that's good for you and a great alternative to all those sodas. This is a great beverage to serve at any kind of party and can be made in 5 minutes. You can also use any kind of unsweetened cranberry juice if you can't find unsweetened pomegranate juice. I also highly recommend using blood oranges in this drink if you can find them because that add a kick of flavor.

Iced Pom-Mojito Spritzers

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mint leaves, plus 4 mint sprigs for garnish
• 1 1/2 tbsp granular sugar or granular sugar substitute
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, plus 4 lime slices for each garnish
• 1 cup unsweetened 100% pomegranate juice
• 2 cups chilled sugar-free cranberry seltzer water
• Ice Cubes

Makes 4 (1-cup Servings)

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. The picture in the cookbook looked so beautiful I had to try it. I was on a roll with the Jamaican Jerk rubbed steak on the hot day so I though I would keep the Caribbean theme going. I've never had a mojito and I've always wanted to try one. This drink may look like a total mess with all the mint leaves and the pomegranate juice but it's quite nice. All the fruit and mint flavors give this drink a nice taste and wake your taste buds. This drink is perfect after a long hot day.