Grenadine, made from the juice of pomegranates, is one of the most common syrups used in cocktails, with or without alcohol! Discover how to make it and how to use it in your drinks.
If your recipe calls for grenadine, don’t worry – it’s either super easy to make at home or you can grab a bottle almost anywhere. The pink syrup is one of the stalwarts of cocktail and mocktail making – your Shirley Temple definitely has it!
What is grenadine
Grenadine has been around for a long, long time, showing up in the famed Savoy Cocktail book and other famed and historic cocktail recipe books. Technically it’s a non-alcoholic syrup made from pomegranate juice. Grenade is the french word for pomegranate – thus, the name grenadine stuck.
Be careful when you see it in a shop. Some grenadines are not made with pomegranates – so check the label. Make sure you look at the ingredients in the back to check whether it’s made with natural ingredients. Bols, Monin or Sonoma Syrups are my go to grenadines.
Try making it at home – it’s super easy and below is a great recipe from Lynnette Marrero – one of the most famous mixologists in the business. She uses it in her Clara Bow recipe.
How does grenadine taste
Fruity, sweet and tart at the same time. Most people don’t realize it’s pomegranate!
- Color: Farrow and Ball Rectory Red – gorgeous!
- Nose: Pomegranates!
- Taste: A sweet and tart fruity addition to any cocktail – that’s probably why it’s lasted so long in the market.
- Finish: You almost never use it alone, so this depends on the cocktail!
- Alcohol: 0%
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Where you can buy grenadine
Since grenadine is alcohol-free, you can find it almost anywhere. I make my own as it is so easy. I always use Lynnette Marrero’s recipe below, but you can find it easily in any store which sells spirits and some supermarkets.
Here below are two easy places to find it:
- USA: You can find the Sonoma Syrup Company’s Grenadine on Amazon!
- UK: You can find Grenadine at Master of Malt
- Top Tip(ple)🍸: Variations on using grenadine
- You can make it with other fruits – cranberry or black currants
- Add a touch of orange blossom water to give your cocktails a Moroccan feel
- You can add it to soda water for a nice summer cooler!
Try one of these grenadine cocktails:
Probably the two most famous grenadine cocktails are the Tequila Sunrise and the Singapore Sling, here are these two plus a few others, including the Clara Bow!
Shirley Temple was bound to grow up and when she did, I truly believe she was keen to add a little something stronger to her namesake cocktail! This famed cocktail made with grenadine and 7Up is made slightly more adult by adding in a splash of vodka!
The shot that might remind you of the cough syrup you had as a child, but the grenadine makes it a little sweeter!
Adding cherries makes the Cherry Vodka Sour recipe perfect for summer and easy to make at home. All you need are grenadine and cherries!
The Singapore Sling is a classic gin cocktail born at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel. A medley of fruit that can be made at home so easily - plus grenadine of course!
This easy bourbon cocktail recipe From the master, Lynnette Marrero, herself! Just by adding home-made grenadine makes all the difference!
Try it in other cocktail too!
You use grenadine in these cocktails as well:
The recipe for grenadine
Grenadine Syrup
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pomegranate juice
- 8 ounces demerara sugar
- 3 –4 orange peels
Instructions
- Combine pomegranate juice and demerara sugar in a saucepan and place over medium-high heat.
- Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes, and set the pan aside to cool.
- Express the oil from the citrus zests into the pan, and drop the peels into the liquid.
- Once cool, remove the peels from the liquid and store the grenadine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
More spirits to discover
- Lush Guide to Caorunn Gin
- Lush Guide to Savoia Americano
- Lush Guide to Avallen
- Lush Guide Guide to Wilfred’s
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