Pomegranate Molasses Warm Drink
A fragrant Middle Eastern warm beverage made by simmering pomegranate molasses with water and warming spices. The tangy-sweet pomegranate molasses blends beautifully with cinnamon and clove to create a soothing, deeply flavored drink perfect for cool evenings or serving to guests. This naturally caffeine-free drink is lightly sweetened and can be adjusted to your preferred balance of tartness and richness.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Wait
- 5 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Makes
- 4 servings (about 8 fl oz each)
Steps
Before you start
- Check that your pomegranate molasses has no added sugar or sweeteners if you prefer a less sweet drink
- Gather all spices and ingredients before starting; this drink comes together quickly
- If using whole spices, have a fine-mesh strainer ready for serving
Combine water and molasses
- Pour 4 cups (960 ml) of water into a small 2-quart saucepan.
- Add 4 tablespoons (60 ml) of pomegranate molasses and stir well with a wooden spoon or whisk to combine evenly, breaking up any clumps of molasses.
- The mixture should be uniformly colored and smooth.
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Ready when: Mixture is smooth and molasses is fully dissolved
Tip: Stir thoroughly to ensure the molasses doesn't clump or settle to the bottom.
Add spices and bring to simmer
- Add 2 cinnamon sticks and 6 whole cloves to the saucepan.
- Place over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Once it reaches a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle, steady simmer without vigorous boiling.
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Ready when: Small bubbles break the surface at a gentle, even pace
Tip: Don't let it boil rapidly, which will cause flavors to become harsh and may cause the molasses to break or separate.
Simmer and infuse
- Let the drink simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, allowing the cinnamon and clove to infuse their warm, spicy flavors into the liquid.
- Stir once or twice during simmering.
- The drink will deepen slightly in color and the spices will perfume the air.
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Ready when: Liquid has deepened in color and is fragrant with cinnamon and clove
Tip: If you prefer a more intensely spiced drink, simmer for up to 12 minutes; for a lighter spice flavor, reduce to 6 minutes.
Taste and adjust sweetness
- Remove from heat and let cool for 1 minute.
- Carefully taste a small spoonful (it will still be hot).
- If desired, stir in 1 tablespoon (20 ml) of honey to add richness and sweetness, or 0.5 tablespoon (7.5 ml) of fresh lemon juice to brighten the tartness of the pomegranate.
- Stir until honey is fully dissolved.
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Ready when: Honey dissolves completely; flavors are balanced to your preference
Tip: Both honey and lemon juice are optional—the drink is delicious on its own. Add these only if you want extra sweetness or tartness.
Strain and serve
- Pour the drink through a fine-mesh strainer into 4 mugs or heat-safe glasses, leaving behind the cinnamon sticks and cloves, or serve unstrained if you prefer the spices in your cup.
- Divide evenly, about 8 fl oz (240 ml) per serving.
- Serve immediately while hot.
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Ready when: Drink is poured and ready to serve
Tip: If serving the drink with spices in the cup, warn guests about the cinnamon sticks and cloves so they don't accidentally bite into them.
Good to know
Tips
- Pomegranate molasses is intensely concentrated; even a small amount flavors the entire drink. If your brand is very tart, start with 3 tablespoons and add more to taste.
- This drink is wonderful served at a gathering—it can be made ahead and reheated gently just before guests arrive, filling the kitchen with a welcoming spiced aroma.
- For a colder variation, let the drink cool to room temperature, chill in the refrigerator, and serve over ice with a splash of sparkling water.
- Broken or pieces of cinnamon stick work just as well as whole sticks; there's no need to discard imperfect spices.
Storage & reheating
Store leftover drink in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, pour into a saucepan and warm gently over medium-low heat for 3–4 minutes until steaming, or heat in a microwave in a mug for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway through. The drink does not freeze well due to the molasses texture.
Substitutions
- cinnamon sticks → 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (add with molasses before simmering). Ground cinnamon will distribute throughout the drink. You may need to strain the drink to remove sediment, or accept some grittiness. The flavor will be slightly more intense.
- whole cloves → 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (add with molasses before simmering). Ground cloves dissolve into the liquid and create a grittier texture. Use sparingly as ground cloves are more potent than whole.
- pomegranate molasses → 3 tablespoons pomegranate juice concentrate mixed with 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar. This creates a similar tart-sweet profile but lacks the depth of true molasses. The vinegar adds tang and body.
- honey → 1 tablespoon sugar or 1 teaspoon maple syrup. Sugar dissolves instantly; maple syrup adds earthy sweetness. Both work but lack honey's subtle floral notes.
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- Meal
- Snack
- Cuisine
- Middle Eastern
- Method
- Stovetop
- Quick & Easy
- 30-Minute5 Ingredients or LessEasyBeginner