In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and 3 cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until the liquid thickens slightly and you smell a nutty, toasted aroma.

Mix 1 Tbsp sugar and ½ tsp ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of 4 glasses, then dip rims into the cinnamon-sugar until coated.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 2 oz tequila, 1 oz orange liqueur, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and 1 oz cooled cinnamon syrup. Shake vigorously until the shaker is frosty, about 15 seconds.

Strain the mixture into the prepared glasses filled with ice. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a cinnamon stick.