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 bartender Amanda Liebrich.
What Is Grenadine?
Grenadine is a syrup made from concentrated pomegranate juice. Its sweet-tart flavour profile and deep red colour 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 Flavour
Grenadine has a fruity, sweet-tart flavour. “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 flavour, creating an easily palatable lingering experience. It’s truly delicious with just about anything.”
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, flavourings and dyes.
Liebrich and her 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 flavour, plus half a teaspoon of orange blossom water for aromatics, and half an ounce of vodka to extend its shelf life.
How to Use Grenadine
Use grenadine to provide sweetness, acidity, fruitiness, viscosity and colour 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, colour and texture in every drink, all aspects of which grenadine contributes to, not just simply the flavour 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 from the Mexican Firing Squad (tequila, lime, grenadine, angostura), though both feature grenadine in relatively high volumes.”
