What Is Grenadine?
It comes from pomegranates. Who knew?
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What would a Shirley Temple be without grenadine? The iconic sweet red ingredient is also used in adult beverages. But what exactly is it? For more information, we consulted Amanda Liebrich, bartender at Glass Light Restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia and founder of the cocktail pop-up Drink Like A Girl.
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What Is Grenadine?
Grenadine is a syrup made from concentrated pomegranate juice.
Grenadine’s sweet-tart flavor profile and deep red color makes it a popular addition to cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks alike. Grenadine is used in classic drinks such as the Shirley Temple, Dirty Shirley, Roy Rogers, Singapore Sling and Tequila Sunrise.
Grenadine Flavor
Grenadine has a fruity, sweet-tart flavor. “Pomegranates themselves are pretty tart yet sweet, somewhere between a fresh raspberry and a ripe cherry,” Liebrich says. “Grenadine, as its syrup form, adds a significant amount of sweetness and viscosity to the pomegranate flavor, creating an easily palatable lingering experience. It’s truly delicious with just about anything.”
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What Is Grenadine Made Of?
Craft grenadine is made of pomegranate juice and sugar that are simmered together until the sugar dissolves into a thick syrup. “Traditionally it’s 1:1 sugar and pomegranate juice, though it has developed over time into forms that integrate additions of rose water, orange blossom water, pomegranate molasses and even small amounts of vodka for preservation,” Liebrich says. Many mass market grenadines, however, are made with high fructose corn syrup, flavorings and dyes.
At Glass Light, Liebrich and the bar team make grenadine by heating 1 cup of pomegranate juice and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan just until the sugar dissolves. Then they add 1 ounce of pomegranate molasses to intensify the flavor, plus half a teaspoon of orange blossom water for aromatics and half an ounce of vodka to extend its shelf life.
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How to Use Grenadine
Use grenadine to provide sweetness, acidity, fruitiness, viscosity and color in cocktails, spirit-free drinks and culinary creations. But keep in mind that a little can go a long way, as with most syrups. “It’s important to consider sweetness, acidity, color and texture in every drink, all aspects grenadine contributes to, not just simply the flavor of pomegranate,” Liebrich says.
“Grenadine is known for its versatility, making it a staple in every bar from homes to dives to high-end cocktail bars,” Liebrich adds. “For example, the Blinker (rye, grapefruit, grenadine) is worlds different than the Mexican Firing Squad (tequila, lime, grenadine, angostura), though both feature grenadine in relatively high volumes.”
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Grenadine Cocktails
Liebrich shares that some popular drinks using grenadine include the Shirley Temple, Dirty Shirley, Roy Rogers, Singapore Sling, the Zombie, and even some modern adaptations of the Clover Club and Tequila Sunrise, replacing raspberry syrup or creme de cassis, respectively. Here are some of our favorite recipes for drinks using grenadine.
Singapore Sling: This classic cocktail shakes up pineapple juice, lime juice and gin to tart and fresh effect. A spoonful of grenadine lends a sweet-tart punch and a burst of color that complements the cherry garnish.
Dirty Shirley: Bright red grenadine and fizzy soda get a grown-up glow-up thanks to the addition of top-shelf vodka. It’s smooth, crisp, refreshing, lightly sweet and a touch boozy, making it ideal for sipping anytime, but especially come summer porch season.
Double Watermelon Keg: Our refreshing twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise pulls in fresh watermelon juice and a show-stopping watermelon keg presentation. A heaping helping of grenadine helps augment the color and add a pleasing tart-sweet finish.
Paloma Cocktails with Grenadine: Grenadine syrup adds a beautiful red base to anchor the glass before being topped with the classic grapefruit cocktail. Once you sip, it swirls in and creates an added layer of tartness plus a cool ombre effect.
Negroni Mocktail: This spirit-free version of a Negroni relies on a touch of grenadine to add sweetness to balance the bitterness from the bottled nonalcoholic aperitivo and vermouth and the floral effervescence from the tonic water.
Cherry Lime Margarita: Grenadine bolsters the cherry-red hue from tart cherry juice and perfectly complements its flavor profile. Cointreau and lime juice round out the sweet and citrus notes.
Hurricane Passion Punch: This taste of a classic New Orleans rum drink mingles nutty almond extract with fruity, zesty flavors from a trio of pineapple, passion fruit and pomegranate juices. The addition of grenadine brings a pop of color and keeps the drink from being too cloying.
Mango Mezcal Breeze: Toasted bay leaves add an earthy flair to mango puree, while orange and lemon juice add a citrusy zippiness to offset the smokiness of mezcal. Grenadine goes in first, adding a visually pleasing layer to the glass, plus a pop of tart-sweet flavor.
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