Grenadine Syrup Recipe (2024)

By Rebecca Hubbell on | Updated | 20 Comments

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Make this fresh and flavorful cocktail syrup right at home. Made with pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice, it's ready to use in about 30 minutes and tastes so much better than that store-bought stuff!

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This recipe for Grenadine Syrup allows you to make this fresh and flavorful cocktail syrup right at home. Made with pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice.

It’s ready to use in about 30 minutes and tastes so much better than that store-bought stuff! Use it in drink recipes like my Clover Club Cocktail, Shirley Temple, Tequila Sunrise, and Rum Punch!

Grenadine Syrup Recipe (2)

Table of Contents

Grenadine Syrup is hard not to love

Many of us probably first had Grenadine Syrup as a component of Shirley Temple or Roy Rogers drinks growing up. It’s hard not to love this sticky red syrup that makes everything taste better.

It’s a common misconception that it is a cherry syrup, did you actually know that the true real deal recipe is made from pomegranates? In fact, it’s derived from the French word grenade which means pomegranate.

But most store-boughtversions are primarily high fructose corn syrup and red dye with artificial flavors and they just don’t touch the real thing!

Unlike traditional Simple Syrup, this cocktail essential adds more than sweetness, it has a really delightful flavor too!

What Is Grenadine?

It is a syrup made with pomegranate juice, granulated sugar, and lemon juice.

Grenadine Syrup Recipe (3)

Why you’ll love this Grenadine Recipe

The real thing is EASY and CHEAP to make at home! Originally, this popular bar syrup included pomegranate juice, water, and sugar. My version swaps out the water for extra pomegranate juice and adds a touch of lemon juice to really bring the syrup to life!

Homemade Grenadine ingredients

  • Saucepan– This is my favorite saucepan, it’s nonstick and easy to clean which makes it great for making syrups in.
  • Whisk– A spoon will work too, but I really like using a whisk to keep the sugar moving to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Funnel– A funnel will make it much easier to pour the syrup from the saucepan into the bottles.
  • Bottle or Jar– These bottles are my favorite for homemade simple syrups, they have a pressure seal that keeps air out of the container and ensures the syrups will last.

How to make Grenadine Syrup

  1. Combine the ingredients in a medium pot and cook over medium heat until the edges of the liquid begin to bubble and sugar is fully dissolved.DO NOT BOIL.
  2. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before bottling up.
  3. The syrup will last for about 1 month in an air-tight bottle in the refrigerator.
Grenadine Syrup Recipe (4)

This homemade grenadine recipe doesn’t require much time to make and it will last up to a month in the fridge, although mine never lasts that long.

Favorite ways to use this Grenadine Syrup Recipe

There are a million and one ways to use this homemade syrup, especially when it comes to mixed drinks! Here are a few recipe ideas to get you started:

Grenadine Syrup Storage

Grenadine should be stored in an airtight bottle in the refrigerator. It will stay good for about 1 month.

Grenadine Syrup Recipe (5)

Grenadine Syrup FAQs

Is grenadine just cherry syrup?

Actually, grenadine comes from the French word “Grenade” which means pomegranate. Grenadine is a sweet syrup made from pomegranates, not cherries. However, it’s not uncommon to see some people use maraschino cherry juice in place of grenadine.

Does grenadine have alcohol?

No, but it is often used in alcoholic drinks likeDirty Shirley TemplesandMalibu Sunsets. And some people do add a shot of vodka to the syrup to preserve it for longer.

Is it okay to drink grenadine?

Absolutely! This syrup is pretty sweet so I wouldn’t recommend drinking it straight but it’s a delicious addition to many drinks like theHawaiian MimosaandBahama Mama.

Homemade Grenadine

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Grenadine Syrup Recipe (6)

Grenadine Syrup Recipe (7)

5 from 43 votes

Homemade Grenadine Syrup Recipe


Author Rebecca Hubbell

Course Basic

Cuisine French

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes minutes

Total Time 38 minutes minutes

Make this fresh and flavorful cocktail syrup right at home. Made with pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice, it’s ready to use in about 30 minutes and tastes so much better than that store-bought stuff!

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces 100% pomegranate juice
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  • Combine the ingredients in a medium pot and cook over medium heat until the edges of the liquid begin to bubble and sugar is fully dissolved. DO NOT BOIL.

  • Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before bottling up.

  • Grenadine will last for about 1 month in an air-tight bottle in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 599kcal | Carbohydrates: 153g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 323mg | Sugar: 152g | Vitamin C: 3.9mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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Reader Interactions

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Love this recipe? Share your thoughts with me below and leave a review! And don’t forget to connect on your favorite social platform below!

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Randi says

    Grenadine Syrup Recipe (8)
    Lovely, and perfect for our Mai Tais!

    Reply

  2. Diane says

    Grenadine Syrup Recipe (9)
    Love the simple syrup recipes!! Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Rebecca Hubbell says

      You’re welcome! We sure have lots to choose from!

      Reply

  3. Jane Potts says

    How long do you think this might last if it was preserved through canning?

    Reply

    • Rebecca Hubbell says

      I don’t have any Canning experience but I would think similar to that of fruit or jam.

      Reply

  4. Jesse says

    Grenadine Syrup Recipe (10)
    Never not making my own grenadine again!
    Such a better experience and flavor than store bought.

    Reply

    • Rebecca Hubbell says

      Grenadine Syrup Recipe (11)
      Isn’t it just delicious!

      Reply

  5. Christine 😘💋😘💋 DAvella says

    Grenadine Syrup Recipe (12)
    We just made it. Sugar dissolved easily. Added extra for a thicker consistency but we also added honey;as it’s naturally sticky/thicker. Worked out well! Yay!

    Reply

    • Rebecca Hubbell says

      Grenadine Syrup Recipe (13)
      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  6. Candy says

    I made this but I found it didn’t come out as a syrup so much as a watery consistency. I followed the recipe verbatim. Any tips?

    Reply

    • Rebecca Hubbell says

      It won’t be quite as syrupy as say Rosie’s brand, but you could add additional sugar if desired or let it simmer a little longer to reduce a bit more.

      Reply

  7. Scott says

    Can I freeze this? How long will it last?

    Reply

    • Rebecca Hubbell says

      Hi Scott, yes, you can freeze it. It should be good for about 6 months in the freezer.

      Reply

  8. Benny B says

    Grenadine Syrup Recipe (14)
    Thank you so much for this easy and delicious recipe. I love how I some how had these ingredients in the fridge.

    Reply

  9. Darcee Freier says

    Grenadine Syrup Recipe (15)
    I made the syrup. Easy and yummy. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Rebecca Hubbell says

      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  10. Madi says

    Grenadine Syrup Recipe (16)
    I’ve never tried making grenadine syrup before but now I have to! This looks so incredible!

    Reply

  11. Dana DeVolk says

    Grenadine Syrup Recipe (17)
    Wow, I never thought about making grenadine before, but now you have inspired me, thanks so much for this delicious recipe!!

    Reply

    • Rebecca Hubbell says

      Yes! Do it, to taste so much better and it’s so easy to make!

      Reply

Grenadine Syrup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is grenadine syrup made of? ›

Pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice are the three main ingredients of homemade grenadine syrup, creating the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Store-bought grenadine on the other hand is usually made with little more than high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, and red food coloring.

Is there any alcohol in grenadine? ›

Grenadine /ˈɡrɛnədiːn/ is a commonly used nonalcoholic bar syrup characterized by its deep red color. It is a popular cocktail ingredient renowned for its flavor as well as its ability to give a reddish or pink tint to mixed drinks.

What is the Red 40 in grenadine? ›

Rose's, by far the most common brand in the United States, is made using mostly high-fructose corn syrup, water, citric acid, and natural and artificial flavors. It's colored using Red 40 (made with petroleum distillates or coal tars) and Blue 1.

Why is cherry syrup called grenadine? ›

To sort out the misconceptions surrounding the ingredient, VinePair chatted with Alex Smith, beverage director of Outer Heaven and Laissez Faire in NYC. Grenadine was originally a pomegranate syrup, according to Smith — in fact, the name comes from the word “grenade” in French, which translates to pomegranate.

Does grenadine go bad? ›

Unopened grenadine syrup typically has a long shelf life. If stored properly in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, it can last for several years beyond the "best by" date on the bottle. The high sugar content in grenadine serves as a natural preservative, helping to extend its shelf life.

How long does homemade grenadine last? ›

Grenadine should be kept refrigerated in an airtight container or swing top bottle. It's best used within one month, if cold pressed and without the addition of vodka. Vodka can optionally be added to your grenadine to extend its shelf life to around 3 months, but I'd still keep that refrigerated.

What is a Shirley Temple made of? ›

A Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic mixed drink traditionally made with ginger ale and a splash of grenadine, and garnished with a maraschino cherry. Modern Shirley Temple recipes may substitute lemon-lime soda or lemonade and sometimes orange juice, in part or in whole.

Does grenadine need to be refrigerated? ›

Grenadine syrup typically does not need to be refrigerated, however, storing grenadine in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight or heat sources is advisable to maintain its quality! Hmmm…so THAT'S why they keep bars so cool and dark!

What does grenadine do to a drink? ›

First, a truth: Grenadine is a brilliant red syrup used in cocktails to provide color and sweetness. A misconception: It's “just” for color and sweetness. While grenadine does give both qualities to cocktails it's used in, real grenadine — grenadine made according to the classic recipes — has much more to offer.

Why is grenadine so good? ›

Grenadine is a syrup used in cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, and somewhat rarely in cooking. Made from pomegranate juice that gets cooked down with sugar, grenadine has a delicious balance of mouth-puckering tartness and sweetness that adds surprising depth to cocktails.

What does Red 40 do to you? ›

Red dye 40 is a synthetic food dye made from petroleum. Research has shown that it is linked to certain ADHD symptoms, such as hyperactivity, and may also cause other neurobehavioral effects in children. People can check for red dye 40 on food labels if they wish to limit their intake.

Can you get grenadine without Red 40? ›

We've gone back to the original grenadine recipe (pomegranate and lime juice) and swapped out refined sugars with maple syrup to create a truly delicious, all-natural grenadine. No Red 40, no Blue 1, no High Fructose Corn Syrup – just delicious mixers with ingredients that you can feel good about.

What are maraschino cherries soaked in? ›

In their modern form, the cherries are first preserved in a brine solution usually containing sulfur dioxide and calcium chloride to bleach the fruit, then soaked in a suspension of food coloring (common red food dye is FD&C Red 40), sugar syrup, and other components.

Is maraschino syrup the same as grenadine? ›

Contrary to popular belief, grenadine is not a cherry-flavored syrup. Maraschino cherries have nothing to do with it. This sweet-tart syrup is actually made from pomegranates, and it is surprisingly easy to make at home. Think of grenadine the way you might consider simple syrup and sour mix.

Is raspberry syrup the same as grenadine? ›

Notes: Grenadine and raspberry syrup can often be used as substitutes for one another in cocktails, but there are classic recipes that call for raspberry syrup preferentially (most famously the Clover Club). As with the grenadine recipe, you can also use this one to make syrups out of other fruits.

What kind of alcohol is grenadine? ›

Grenadine, a popular syrup, commonly serves as a key ingredient in cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. Its sweet and fruity flavor originates from simmering pomegranate juice with sugar, resulting in a thick, syrupy consistency.

Is grenadine just cherry syrup? ›

Contrary to popular belief, grenadine is not a cherry-flavored syrup. Maraschino cherries have nothing to do with it. This sweet-tart syrup is actually made from pomegranates, and it is surprisingly easy to make at home.

Is grenadine cranberry syrup? ›

Grenadine is just pomegranate syrup. So what you are asking is can you make pomegranate syrup with cranberries and no pomegranate. Well, obviously, no. But you can make cranberry syrup.

Is grenadine syrup healthy? ›

While grenadine syrup can enhance the flavor of your favorite beverages and recipes, it's important to consume it in moderation. Due to its high sugar content, excessive consumption may contribute to weight gain and potential health issues associated with high sugar intake.

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