<p>A scarcity of methodological discourse and empirical precedents in cross-cultural mixed methods leaves the decision-making process largely opaque, posing significant challenges for researchers attempting to navigate the complexities of this hybrid approach. This article advances a methodological inquiry into the pragmatist underpinnings of cross-cultural mixed methods. Drawing on a case study in health sociology concerning alcohol use and sexual risk in France and South Korea, this study illustrates the decision-making processes inherent in hybrid designs. It demonstrates how an evolved understanding of pragmatism enhances research by allowing for iterative and flexible inquiry, and achieve a more robust integration of qualitative and quantitative data. The paper concludes that advancing mixed methods as a distinctive methodological framework rather than a mere combination of tools, and leveraging an in-depth understanding of pragmatism are critical prerequisites for maintaining methodological rigor in cross-cultural mixed methods design.</p>