DIY: How To Make Grenadine Syrup

Continuing with our DIY series, today we’re going to show you how to make home made grenadine syrup. 

Let me start off by slapping you in the face with this fact. EVERYTHING you know about grenadine is a lie. One of the BIGGEST myths and misconceptions about grenadine is that it’s either cherry flavored or a cherry juice itself. I’ll even be so bold as to admit, I too once believed this myth. I was young, naive, and in college. We all make mistakes don’t we?

Long ago, grenadine was actually made from freshly crushed/squeezed pomegranates. But over the years this fresh and fruitful mixer was altered by the food industry to make lower food and production costs and now what you get is a combination of artificial flavors, artificial ingredients and bright red syrup that looks like cherry juice. Grenadine originated from the French word grenade which means pomegranate, with pomme meaning apple and granate deriving from the Italian word for seeds. The most common brand in the U.S., and what’s most likely in your Tequila Sunrise or Shirley Temple you ordered at the bar, is Rose’s grenadine syrup. So what’s in Rose’s?  high fructose corn syrup, water, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium benzoate, FD&C Red #40, natural and artificial flavors, and FD&C Blue #1. Sounds yummy right?

That’s why we’re here to show you the proper way to make grenadine, and taste what your parents and grandparents cocktails tasted like back in the day. Now to keep it honest, DIY isn’t the only way to taste real grenadine syrup. There are actually a few artisinal and craft syrup brands out there that for a bit more in price, make classic grenadine the way it was intended, with actual pomegranate juice. If you would rather buy the real thing than make it, try Stirrings Authentic Grenadine Syrup . But what do we know about mixing drinks? Its just like cooking and baking which means the fresher the ingredients the better the taste. So below we’ve outline the steps to making some fresh grenadine at home. We dare you to take the grenadine challenge and compare it to that bright red bottle you’ve got in your liquor cabinet. Here’s your chance to learn how to make grenadine at home. Let us know how it turns out!

Home Made Grenadine Syrup

• 1 cup100% No sugar added pomegranate juice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 to 3 drops orange-flower water (available at several groceries and online)

First, combine your sugar and pomegranate juice in a pan or skillet. Turn up your heat to medium and stir the liquid until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until it thickens slightly. Next remove your mixture from the heat and let it cool down. Add a few drops of lemon juice to bring out the tartness to your liking. Finally pour your ingredients in a bottle or container and store it in your refrigerator. It can stay stored for up to one month. 

Cheers!

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photo credit: eric.delcroix via photopin cc

photo credit: koen_photos via photopin cc