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What Is Grenadine?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Grenadine is a red, sweet, and viscous syrup often used in making cocktails. Its name comes from grenade, the French word for pomegranate. While many consider it cherry-flavored, it has traditionally been made using sugar and pomegranate juice. It is commonly used to make a number of different alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a topping for deserts and other dishes.

What Is in It

Some cocktails get their red color from grenadine.
Some cocktails get their red color from grenadine.

Today, companies often make grenadine from a mixture of artificial color, sometimes berry or cherry juice for flavoring, and corn syrup or sugar. Certain companies, however, still make it using pomegranate juice and sugar. Most bartenders recommend finding a good fruit juice-based variety, especially traditional recipes, instead of resorting to ones made from artificial flavors and colors.

Making It at Home

A jigger is used to measure alcohol to make cocktails.
A jigger is used to measure alcohol to make cocktails.

People can also make grenadine at home by using about equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar, such as two cups of each. These ingredients can either be poured into a jar and shaken vigorously, or brought to a boil and simmered until they are reduced by half, and then refrigerated. The cold version is not as bright red, while the hot version is more syrupy like commercial variants.

Non-Alcoholic Uses

Tequila sunrise is made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine.
Tequila sunrise is made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine.

Grenadine is almost always a non-alcoholic syrup, but some versions do contain alcohol so it is important to ensure a non-alcoholic version is used for anything enjoyed by kids. It is a component in popular kids' drinks where it can be combined with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale to make a "Shirley Temple," or with cola to make a "Roy Rogers." Many people also enjoy using it as a desert topping, often pouring the syrup over pancakes or vanilla ice cream.

Uses in Alcoholic Beverages

Grenadine can be added to cola for a "Roy Rogers."
Grenadine can be added to cola for a "Roy Rogers."

There are over 500 alcoholic drinks that contain grenadine, since the sweetness of the syrup can minimize the harsh flavors of many alcohols. The most well known drink is probably the "Tequila Sunrise," which is made from orange juice, a shot of tequila and grenadine. When mixed properly, the syrup sinks to the bottom of a tall glass, with the orange juice over it, providing the fiery appearance of a sunrise.

Use in Moderation

There are many variations of the "Tequila Sunrise."
There are many variations of the "Tequila Sunrise."

Anyone making a drink with grenadine should know that less is more. Grenadine is extremely sweet, and should be used in small amounts. It is also not for the calorie conscious, as a single ounce (28.35 grams) contains about 75 calories. That is approximately four and a half teaspoons of sugar per ounce.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon143873

Re: Named for Granada.

Granada is a province in the Andalusia region of Spain, with its capital city also called Granada. The region was invaded and settled by the Moors (from Morocco)in the 8th century, and in 1238 became an independent kingdom and a center of Muslim learning and civilisation.

The Moors brought the pomegranate with them from Morocco. "Pomme" means apple in French and hence "pomegranate" means "apple of Granada". The word "grenade" comes from its shape, and "garnet" comes from its color.

"Grenadine" is also made from blackcurrant or raspberry, but properly should be from pomegranate.

pollick

Grenadine can often be found on regular grocery store shelves alongside other alcoholic beverage mixers and supplies. It's generally sold in small decorative bottles-- Rose's is one popular brand of grenadine syrup. You might also find grenadine in well-stocked liquor or package stores. Grenadine syrup is generally shelf-stable, like many other types of syrup, but I would suggest pouring out a small sample and examining it closely before using. Grenadine syrup shouldn't turn rancid or spoil through lack of refrigeration, so an unopened bottle would most likely be serviceable for at least a year or two.

anon43983

Where can you purchase grenadine?

anon22420

I have a bottle of Grenadine Syrup by Giroux, 33.8 fl oz. It is not open, but is very old (?) Is it still good?

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    • Some cocktails get their red color from grenadine.
      By: Alex Bramwell
      Some cocktails get their red color from grenadine.
    • A jigger is used to measure alcohol to make cocktails.
      By: karandaev
      A jigger is used to measure alcohol to make cocktails.
    • Tequila sunrise is made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine.
      By: umbertoleporini
      Tequila sunrise is made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine.
    • Grenadine can be added to cola for a "Roy Rogers."
      By: RTimages
      Grenadine can be added to cola for a "Roy Rogers."
    • There are many variations of the "Tequila Sunrise."
      By: tarasov_vl
      There are many variations of the "Tequila Sunrise."
    • Cherry juice is sometimes added to Grenadine for flavoring.
      By: Swetlana Wall
      Cherry juice is sometimes added to Grenadine for flavoring.