Procedure

Combine water and brown sugar in a small sauce pan and bring to a simmer. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

While your brown sugar simple syrup is cooling, place 2 tablespoons of lime juice and 1⁄4 cup of kosher salt on separate small plates or saucers. One at a time, dip the rim of your chosen glassware in the lime juice then directly into the kosher salt to create salt-rimmed glasses. Set aside.

In a large pitcher or carafe, combine the pomegranate juice, tequila, Cointreau or triple sec, remaining 1⁄2 cup lime juice, and brown sugar simple syrup, and gently stir or swirl to combine. Fill the salt-rimmed glasses with ice and pour over your pomegranate margarita mix.

Garnish with orange or lime slices.

CHEF NOTES: Making simple syrup is... well... simple... so feel free to go the extra mile and add some flavorings. For this drink, orange peels, cinnamon stick, star anise, or clove would all be appropriate. Just toss your flavorings in while you are heating the mixture and dissolving the sugar. Let the simple syrup cool with your flavorings in it and strain them out before using. No time to make simple syrup? No problem! Try using agave syrup or a good quality maple syrup in place of the brown sugar simple syrup in this recipe.