Pomegranate Pepper Dinner Bell

Pomegranate's tart, slightly tannic flavor gives this soda more structure than a typical fruit drink. Lemon brightens it, and a tiny pinch of black pepper adds a warm aroma that becomes noticeable after the first sip. Measure the pepper carefully so it doesn't leave the drink gritty or hot. The combination works well in a small wine glass with dinner. There's no spirit substitute involved here, just a dark fruit flavor with a deliberately dry, spiced finish.

Ingredients

• 5 oz Sparkling water
• 2 oz Pomegranate juice
• 1/4 oz Lemon juice
• 1 tiny pinch Ground black pepper

Make it

1. Prepare the fruit and herbs as listed. Mash soft fruit to release juice; lightly press herbs or thin ginger slices without shredding them.
2. Add the still juices and stir. Strain out seeds, skins or herb pieces if you prefer a smoother texture.
3. Pour in the chilled sparkling water slowly and stir once. Serve immediately, with ice if you like.

Benefits

Lemon · a little vitamin C

You get a small vitamin C contribution from lemon in the pomegranate and black pepper mixture, supporting normal immune function alongside a clean citrus sharpness.

A sparkling setting for black pepper

Pairing black pepper with pomegranate and lemon puts a warming pepper finish into a fizzy glass, with bubbles making the texture part of the pleasure.