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Easily make this classic cocktail mixer from home with this from scratch recipe. Homemade Grenadine Syrup is made using pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon, which makes a brilliant flavorful red syrup that tastes better than any store-bought option.
What is Grenadine Syrup
Grenadine is a brilliant red syrup that’s made using pomegranate juice and Simple Syrup. It has a tart flavor. Though many think it’s made using cherry, the color, as well as the taste, comes from pomegranate. It’s used as a non-alcoholic mixer for many popular Grenadine Cocktails and is even in mocktails such as a Shirley Temple.
Uses
You can easily make your own homemade grenadine syrup, which will turn out with my flavor than any store-bought version. It also won’t have questionable additives or dyes, just a smooth flavor, and bright color. While it’s mainly used for cocktails there are other uses for grenadine. One of my favorites is to add it to coffee or a latte to give it a unique flavor.
- Add it to coffee beverages. With fruity drinks such as the Strawberry Latte on the rise, you can make a similar and unique version at home using grenadine. Just mix some into your coffee or latte.
- Drizzle it over dessert. The tart citrusy flavor goes well over chocolate desserts as well as ones such as cheesecake.
- Use it to make salad dressing. Give your next homemade salad dressing some zing by mixing in some grenadine.
- Not just for cocktails. Try it in some Coke or sparkling water to add flavor and color. It’s also great for making mocktails.
Ingredients Needed
You only need 3 ingredients to make grenadine from scratch and it takes less than 10 minutes to make, 20 minutes if you use pomegranate seeds. For a beautiful bright pink color use fresh pomegranate juice from pomegranate seeds rather than store-bought pomegranate juice. If you’re looking for a deep burgundy color though, use the store-bought pomegranate juice.
- Pomegranate Juice – I highly recommend using pomegranate seeds to get your juice and it only takes a few extra minutes if you buy the seeds already removed. The ensures a brilliant pink color liquid, however, you can just as easily use store-bought pomegranate juice.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar is all you need and it will easily dissolve into the syrup mixture, but if you’re opting for a low-sugar version you can use an alternative sweetener such as honey or maple syrup.
- Lemon Juice – By adding some fresh-squeezed lemon juice you’ll add a preservative as well and a citrus balance to the pomegranate juice flavor.
How to Make Grenadine from Scratch
- Juice the seeds. If you plan on using pomegranate seeds vs juice, place the seeds into a jar or glass and mash them with a wooden spoon or a pestle to extract the juice.
- Strain. Pour the juice through a mesh sieve to remove any of the sediment from the seeds and then discard the sediment.
- Heat the syrup. Pour the juice into a small saucepan over medium heat and add the sugar. Continue to heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool before stirring in the lemon juice.
Maybe you don’t want to make your own? Then try some of these Substitutes for Grenadine.
Storage
If you’re wondering how long homemade grenadine lasts the answer is that depends. It takes only minutes to make, but the homemade version doesn’t last as long as the store-bought brands because there are no preservatives. There is a way to extend the shelf-life though.
- Standard Storage – pour the syrup into a jar or container with an air-tight lid. It will last for up to 1 month at room temperature or it can be kept in the fridge.
- Extended Storage – to get a longer shelf-life out of your grenadine syrup add 1 ounce of vodka to the mixture and it will last for up to 6 months. It will still need to be kept in an air-tight container.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- To quickly seed a pomegranate, slice it into quarters and fill a bowl with water. Place the pomegranate quarter under the water and remove the seeds using your hands. The pith will float the top of the water while the seeds will sink.
- Don’t let the syrup boil. You only need to heat the syrup mixture so the sugar dissolves. Once dissolved remove it from the heat otherwise it could break down the flavor.
- Use unsweetened pomegranate juice. If you plan on using pomegranate juice instead of juicing the pomegranate seeds then make sure to use unsweetened juice. The sweetened kind will make the grenadine syrup turn out too sweet.
FAQS
Yes, homemade grenadine syrup is gluten-free.
No, homemade grenadine can be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container for up to 4 weeks. To get a longer shelf-life add 1 ounce of vodka and it will stay good for up to 6 months.
Grenadine syrup has a rich depth of flavor that is both tart and sweet, with notes of fruit from the pomegranate juice.
Related Recipes
Grenadine Syrup Recipe
Equipment
- Fine Mesh Sieve
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup Pomegranate Juice or juice from 8 ounces of pomegranate seeds
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Juice the seeds. If you plan on using pomegranate seeds vs juice, place the seeds into a jar or glass and mash them with a wooden spoon or a pestle to extract the juice.
- Strain. Pour the juice through a mesh sieve to remove any of the sediment from the seeds and then discard the sediment.
- Heat the syrup. Pour the juice into a small saucepan over medium heat and add the sugar. Continue to heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool before stirring in the lemon juice.
Notes
- To quickly seed a pomegranate, slice it into quarters and fill a bowl with water. Place the pomegranate quarter under the water and remove the seeds using your hands. The pith will float the top of the water while the seeds will sink.
- Don’t let the syrup boil. You only need to heat the syrup mixture so the sugar dissolves. Once dissolved remove it from the heat otherwise it could break down the flavor.
- Use unsweetened pomegranate juice. If you plan on using pomegranate juice instead of juicing the pomegranate seeds then make sure to use unsweetened juice. The sweetened kind will make the grenadine syrup turn out too sweet.
Storage
- Standard Storage – pour the syrup into a jar or container with an air-tight lid. It will last for up to 1 month at room temperature or it can be kept in the fridge.
- Extended Storage – to get a longer shelf-life out of your grenadine syrup add 1 ounce of vodka to the mixture and it will last for up to 6 months. It will still need to be kept in an air-tight container.
