Name: Winter Citrus and Pomegranate Water
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: 1 mandarin orange , sliced thin, plus extra for garnish; ½ cup pomegranate seeds , plus extra for garnish; 8 cups water , divided

Yield

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

1 mandarin orange, sliced thin, plus extra for garnish

½ cup pomegranate seeds, plus extra for garnish

8 cups water, divided

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 mandarin orange, sliced thin, plus extra for garnish

½ cup pomegranate seeds, plus extra for garnish

8 cups water, divided

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 mandarin orange, sliced thin, plus extra for garnish

½ cup pomegranate seeds, plus extra for garnish

8 cups water, divided

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

Walking around the grocery store in January in New England and seeing very few brightly colored fruits available inspired us to create this winter-friendly fruit water. While berries looked sad and pale in the dead of winter, the citrus stand was a beacon of bright yellows, oranges, and greens that brought to mind a ray of sunshine. Mandarin oranges had the most inviting color, so they became the base of our drink. What else was in season? Big, beautiful pomegranates. Mandarins have a distinctly juicy, sweet flavor and are lower in acid than other oranges. Pomegranates, on the other hand, are intensely sour and vibrant (in both acidity and color). The addition of ½ cup of seeds livened up the orange, and the bright flavors melded deliciously to create an appealingly tart berryish combo.

Instructions

Combine orange, pomegranate seeds, and 1 cup water in 8-cup liquid measuring cup or large bowl. With potato masher or muddler, muddle fruit until broken down and all juice is expressed, about 30 seconds. Stir in 3 cups water. Cover and refrigerate until flavors meld and mixture is chilled, 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Strain infused water into pitcher, pressing on solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard solids. Stir in remaining 4 cups water and garnish with extra orange and pomegranate seeds. (Water can be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 day; garnish with extra orange and pomegranate seeds just before serving.) Serve in ice-filled glasses.