Sages throughout the ages have mixed up magical elixirs for happiness and health. Now it’s your turn!

Take “sage” to the next level with this Pomegranate Sage Martini recipe, featuring pomegranate juice full of antioxidants for health.

Modern Pomegranate Martini

1 1/2 ounces of your favorite vodka

1 ounce fresh sage simple syrup, recipe below

1 ounce pomegranate juice

¼ ounce Cointreau or other orange-flavored liqueur

1 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice

2 dashes Angostura bitters

½ ounce pasteurized egg whites, optional

Pack a pint glass or a martini shaker with ice. Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin and shake until icy cold. Strain into a frozen martini glass. Garnish with a fresh sage leaf.

Fresh Sage Simple Syrup

Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil. Add 4 cups of sugar in the raw (for richer texture) or super-fine sugar, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add 10 to 15 fresh sage leaves and let boil for 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool. Cover and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours.
Note: The sage needs time to infuse throughout the simple syrup, so the longer you infuse, the brighter your flavor will be.

Helpful hints:

The orange liqueur adds balance to the martini but not a lot of flavor, so feel free to tweak:

For a richer flavor, use a liqueur like Grand Marnier.

Try Solerno blood orange liqueur to give it a unique spin.

Or, use St. Germain elderflower liqueur or Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur.

The egg whites are a flavor enhancer and act as a balancing agent between sweet and savory. Without the egg whites, use slightly less pomegranate juice, depending on the sweetness level desired.

Clap the fresh sage between your hands before garnishing the martini. This will release the oils and bring the aroma to the forefront.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Bonefish Grill.