Sweeten your drinks with this homemade grenadine syrup. Fresh pomegranates and lemon juice create a rich, vibrant flavor that completes your El Presidente or Tequila Sunrise. The syrup adds a bright red hue to your beverages–perfect for tropical vibes. Plus, you can throw this syrup together in 10 minutes or less.
What is Grenadine Syrup?
Grenadine is a bright red syrup that adds color and flavor to alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, such as Shirley Temples, tequila sunrises or this Hawaiian Mai Tai recipe. It can also be used to color and sweeten desserts.
Commercial syrups often feature glucose-fructose, plus artificial color and flavor instead of actual fruit, giving grenadine a reputation for overly sweet, artificial flavor. However, true grenadine syrup is complex, fruity and made from real pomegranates – which provide it with natural flavor and color. You’ll add sugar and a touch of lemon juice to turn it from juice to syrup.
Ingredients & Equipment for Homemade Grenadine
This recipe yields about 3 cups of delicious grenadine syrup.
- pomegranates – Will need enough to get 2 cups of juice (between 4 and 6 depending on the size) or you can buy premade juice like POM brand.
- white sugar
- lemon juice – Freshly squeezed is best.
- orange flower water – This is completely optional but it does add a touch of floral flavor that complements the syrup well.
You will also need a small saucepan and a lemon squeezer if you are juicing your own pomegranates. A fine mesh strainer will come in handy if there are any solids in the juice.
If you buy premade pomegranate juice, check the label to make sure that fruit is the main ingredient, not artificial flavors and high-fructose corn syrup.
Typically a simple syrup has a ratio of 1:1 sugar and water. I decided to cut down on the added sugar in this recipe since the juice is already naturally sweet.
Once you’ve mastered this recipe, you can try it with different flavorings, such as:
- lime juice instead of the lemon juice
- rose water instead of the orange flower water
Ways to Use It
Alcoholic Drinks: Some popular drinks that include grenadine are the El Presidente cocktail, Tequila Sunrise, Singapore Sling, Clover Club, the Mary Pickford, Malibu Sunset and the Hurricane.
Non-alcoholic Drinks: While grenadine typically shows up in alcoholic drinks, you can add color and flavor to your favorite non-alcoholic beverages, such as mocktails and Shirley Temples. Mixing drinks for the kids on New Year’s Eve makes them feel like they can celebrate with the adults.
Food: You can also jazz up sweet foods with pomegranate flavor by adding it to whipped cream, cakes and cupcakes, frosting, pancakes etc.
Storage
Keep refrigerated in a covered jar or bottle for up to 1 month.
Did you prefer this homemade grenadine syrup recipe to the store-bought syrup? What did you use it for? Let me know in the comments and please share the recipe!
Homemade Grenadine Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 pomegranates - will need enough to get 2 cups juice
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice - freshly squeezed
- ¾ teaspoon orange flower water - optional (or to taste)
Instructions
- Cut the pomegranates in half or quarters if they are large.4 to 6 pomegranates
- Using an orange/lemon squeezer, squeeze the juice out of the pomegranates. You will need 2 cups of juice.
- Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove any solids.
- Add the pomegranate juice and sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Don’t let it come to a boil.1 ½ cups sugar
- Let it cool. Stir in the lemon juice and the orange flower water, if using. It’s now ready to use. Keep refrigerated in a covered jar or bottle for up to 1 month.1 tablespoon lemon juice, ¾ teaspoon orange flower water
Equipment
Notes
- Alternatively, you can buy 2 cups pomegranate juice (such as POM) instead of juicing your own pomegranates to cut down on prep time. Make sure you buy 100% pomegranate juice.
- This recipe yields about 3 cups grenadine. The serving size for the nutrition information is approximately 2 tablespoons.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.