Grenadine Syrup: How to Make Quick Grenadine
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Commercial grenadine syrup can be quite unhealthy. Learn how to make a simple homemade grenadine syrup using easy-to-find ingredients that you feel good about mixing into your drinks.
Grenadine syrup can be a wonderful thing to keep in the fridge. Mixed with the right ingredients, you can enjoy some fun and interesting drinks. And they don’t have to be alcoholic drinks either!
What Is Grenadine?
Grenadine is a rich red concoction and sweet syrup that is used to make popular drinks. It is typically made with simple syrup, pure cane sugar, or high-fructose corn syrup. Every kid and bartender knows it as the red stuff that makes a Shirley Temple. It adds a splash of color to any drink you add it to, as well as a shot of sweetness. It’s most often used with cocktail mixers and other favorite spirits
“The word grenadine comes from France in the late 1800s, from sirop de grenadine for ‘syrup made from pomegranates.’ “
Vocabulary.com
What Is The Main Ingredient In Grenadine?
The main ingredient in grenadine is pomegranate juice. This provides the almost cherry-like flavor that grenadine is well known for. You can use fresh pomegranate juice that you squeeze yourself (see instructions below), or you can use the bottled variety. Either one will give you the unique taste of pomegranate flavor that grenadine is so well known for.
Is Grenadine The Same As Cherry Syrup?
No, they are different. While both are often made with simple syrup, cherry syrup is made with sweet cherry juice, and grenadine is made with pomegranate juice. Same idea, but two different flavors.
Is Grenadine The Same As Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is typically an ingredient in grenadine, but grenadine is not simple syrup. Grenadine is essentially simple syrup with pomegranate juice added.
Popular Grenadine Drinks
There are many alcoholic cocktails that use commercial brands of grenadine. The most popular classic cocktail being a Tequila Sunrise. But there are plenty of non-alcoholic drink recipes that can be made with grenadine as well and they are perfect for everything from a big celebration to an average weekday evening. Here are a few examples of fun drinks and mocktails you can make with it:
- Shirley Temples – grenadine and ginger ale.
- Roy Rogers – dark soda (such as coke or pepsi) and grenadine. For a cleaner version, you can purchase natural sodas instead. Zevia is a great brand.
- Cinderella – pineapple juice, lemon juice, grenadine and soda water.
- Rosy Pippin – Apple juice, lemon juice, grenadine and ginger ale.
- Alice – pineapple juice, heavy cream, orange juice, and grenadine.
- Pink Lemonade – water, lemon juice, grenadine, and granulated sweetener.
- Honey Bunny – orange juice, carrot juice, and grenadine.
- Spikey Hedgehog – grenadine, cranberry juice, lime juice, and club soda.
A Word About Maraschino Cherries
Many drinks made with grenadine syrup are served with maraschino cherries. These are about as far from healthy as you can get.
“Typically, fresh Royal cherries are bleached with calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide until they turn yellow and lose their natural flavor (WHY?!). Then they’re marinated in high fructose corn syrup and Red #4 food coloring for upwards of three weeks. Not delish.”
Delish.com
What’s Great About This Grenadine Syrup Recipe?
You don’t have to boil anything, use a saucepan, or worry about preservatives or artificial flavors. It uses unprocessed sweetener and real juice without any added sugar.
Often in the interest of preserving it longer, grenadine syrup will have an ounce of vodka added to it. But this isn’t necessary and you definitely want to avoid it if you need to make non-alcoholic beverages.
Grenadine Ingredients
Pomegranate juice – You can use fresh squeezed or bottled (as long as there is no sugar added – Pom is a good brand to buy.)
Granular sweetener – Use powdered sweetener for quicker dissolving. Sucanat, coconut sugar, date sugar, or monk fruit are good options. If you prefer liquid sweetener, you can use a ¼ cup honey or a ⅓ cup maple syrup. But these will change the flavor a bit.
Lemon juice – Fresh squeezed is best, but bottled will work in a pinch.
How To Make Homemade Grenadine Syrup
Collect
Collect all your ingredients, measuring them as you do.
Combine
In a jar with a lid (I used a canning jar), combine all three ingredients. Shake or stir well.
Use
Use it for any drink you’d like to make.
How To Store Grenadine
Always keep your grenadine in the refrigerator. While the store-bought variety may keep fine on a counter (I have no idea, I’ve never used it), this version is made with all-natural ingredients that will definitely spoil if left out.
Shelf Life Of Homemade Grenadine
This homemade version will last about a week in the fridge, maybe a bit more. It will start to taste sour when it goes bad. So if you’ve had it a while, a very small taste may be in order before you use it up.
Can You Freeze Grenadine Syrup?
You can! In fact, one of the best ways to freeze this particular recipe is in ice cube trays. But any freezer-safe and food-safe container will work.
How To De-Seed & Juice A Pomegranate – Video
If you want to make your own pomegranate juice, here’s how to quickly and easily make it from fresh pomegranates.
Recipe Supplies
(Amazon affiliate links)
For this recipe, you’ll want a glass container to hold your finished syrup, a good measuring cup, and a sturdy whisk.
More Healthy Syrup Recipes
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Grenadine Syrup Recipe
CLICK TO WATCH THIS RECIPE IN ACTION!
Equipment
- 1 canning jar with lid
Instructions
- Collect and measure all ingredients.
- In a jar with a lid (I used a canning jar), combine all three ingredients. Close the lid and give it a good shake.
- Use it for any drink you'd like to make.
