Grenadine is a commonly used ingredient in cocktails and mixed drinks, adding a touch of sweetness and a vibrant red color. But not all grenadine syrups are created equal. Many commercial grenadine products are high in high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. So what type of grenadine do professional bartenders use to mix up delicious cocktails? Here’s a look at the most common types of grenadine used in bars and why bartenders choose them.
Homemade Grenadine
Many craft cocktail bars make their own homemade grenadine syrup from scratch. This allows them to control the ingredients and create a high-quality, natural grenadine. The basic recipe for homemade grenadine contains just two ingredients – pomegranate juice and sugar. Pomegranate juice gives homemade grenadine its signature red color and tart, fruity flavor. The sugar balances out the tartness and adds sweetness. Here is a basic homemade grenadine recipe:
Homemade Grenadine
- 2 cups 100% pomegranate juice
- 1 cup white sugar
To make homemade grenadine, simply combine the pomegranate juice and sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until the sugar fully dissolves. Let the mixture cool, then transfer it to a glass bottle or jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Use in any cocktail calling for grenadine, like the Ward 8 or Tequila Sunrise.
The benefits of homemade grenadine include:
- All natural ingredients
- Intense pomegranate flavor
- Customizable sweetness
- No artificial colors or flavors
Making grenadine from scratch does take more time and effort than buying commercial brands. However, many craft bartenders believe it’s worth it for the superior flavor and control over ingredients. They can adjust the recipe to create their ideal grenadine for cocktails.
Pure Pomegranate Grenadine
Another option used by some bars is pure pomegranate grenadine made simply from 100% pomegranate juice, with no added sugar. POM Wonderful and Lakewood Organic are two popular brands. Pure pomegranate grenadine has an extra tart, fruity, and vibrant flavor profile. It allows the natural pomegranate flavor to shine through in cocktails. The main advantages of 100% pomegranate grenadine are:
- Intense, fresh pomegranate taste
- No added sugars
- Natural ingredient list
- Vibrant red color
On the downside, pure pomegranate grenadine is very tart and not quite as versatile as homemade or commercial varieties. Bartenders may need to adjust cocktail recipes to balance the tartness. It also has a thinner, less viscous texture. But for highlighting the pomegranate flavor, many bartenders prefer using 100% juice grenadines.
Small-Batch Artisanal Grenadine
Small-batch grenadine products from artisanal producers have grown in popularity at craft cocktail bars. These are commercially made grenadine syrups produced in small batches using high-quality ingredients. They provide the convenience of a ready-made grenadine with the quality of homemade. Some popular artisanal grenadine brands include:
- Jack Rudy – Made with cane sugar and pomegranate molasses
- Small Hand Foods – Uses lemon and orange peel for added citrus notes
- BG Reynolds – Crafted from pomegranate, cinnamon, and vanilla
- Liber & Co – Flavored with hibiscus alongside pomegranate
Compared to mass-produced grenadine, these small-batch products use more real fruit juice, natural flavors, and less added sugar. They also come in a range of unique flavors like hibiscus, cinnamon, and citrus zest. The benefits of artisanal grenadine include:
- Made with high-quality, natural ingredients
- Unique flavors like spices and citrus
- Support small businesses
- Avoid artificial ingredients found in commercial brands
The main downside is the higher cost since they are made in small quantities. But many craft bars find the premium quality and unique flavors worth the price.
Commercial Grenadine
Major commercial brands like Rose’s and Real are common grenadine options used by high-volume bars and chain restaurants. Commercial grenadines are mass-produced using high fructose corn syrup as the main sweetener instead of pure cane sugar. They also rely on artificial flavors and colors to achieve the classic red hue and pomegranate taste. Common ingredients in commercial grenadines include:
- High fructose corn syrup
- Water
- Citric acid
- Preservatives
- Artificial flavors and colors
The advantages of commercial grenadines are affordability and convenience. Bartenders can simply grab a bottle off the shelf and pour it into any cocktail without prep work. These mass-produced grenadines are inexpensive to buy in bulk. They also have an extended shelf life compared to homemade options. The main downsides are the artificial ingredients and simplified, one-note flavor.
While many old school bartenders grew up using Rose’s grenadine, craft bars now tend to avoid commercial grenadines. They believe the flavor profile is inferior. But some dive bars and chain restaurants may still use commercial grenadines to save on costs.
Factors in Choosing Grenadine
So with all these options on the table, how do bars decide what type of grenadine to use in their cocktails? Here are some key factors that come into play:
Flavor
Maximizing flavor is often the number one priority. Bartenders taste test different grenadine options to find one with the ideal balance of sweetness and tart, fruity pomegranate notes. Many prefer homemade or artisanal brands over commercial ones for superior flavor.
Consistency
The grenadine needs to have a consistent flavor and color from batch to batch. Bartenders aim for their cocktails to taste the same every time. An inconsistent grenadine with fluctuating sweetness or hue can throw off a cocktail’s balance.
Budget
Cost and budget come into play, especially for high-volume bars. Homemade and artisanal grenadines often cost more than mass-produced brands. Bars need to weigh flavor against overhead costs.
Efficiency
How much prep time is required also factors in. Bartenders are always hustling behind the bar. Making homemade grenadine requires active prep time that buying commercial brands don’t. The pace of service and staff resources can determine what grenadine options are realistic.
Brand Values
Some bars prefer using natural, small-batch products to align with their branding and ethos. Customers expect certain standards from craft cocktail spots versus big chain restaurants.
Appearance
Grenadine’s vibrant red color is part of its appeal. Bartenders may test grenadines to find one with an ideal rich, red hue that pops in drinks.
Every bar weighs these various priorities differently when selecting grenadine. High-volume establishments may opt for mass-produced brand for efficiency and cost. But for most craft bars, flavor and quality are the most important factors. That leads many to choose homemade or artisanal grenadines.
How Bars Use Grenadine
Once a bar decides on the right grenadine for their needs, how do they actually utilize it in cocktails? Here are some of the most common ways grenadine gets incorporated into drink recipes:
Splash of Color
Grenadine’s vibrant hue makes it a popular choice for adding a pop of color to drinks. A quick splash or float of grenadine can beautifully change the look of a cocktail. It’s commonly dripped slowly into drinks like the Tequila Sunrise for bold ombre tones.
Touch of Sweetness
The inherent sweetness of grenadine balances out tart citrus flavors in drinks. Just a small amount can make a cocktail more harmonious without overdoing it on the sugar. Grenadine neatly solves the problem of how to sweeten a sour.
Fruity Flavor
Pomegranate’s unique fruity-tart flavor is a key ingredient in cocktails like the Whiskey Sour and Jack Rose. Grenadine adds complexity, fruitiness, and a pop of tart brightness.
Cocktail Icon
Some drinks like the Tequila Sunrise and Ward 8 rely entirely on grenadine as the signature ingredient. These cocktails wouldn’t exist without it and grenadine is intrinsically tied to their identity.
Layering & Floating
Grenadine’s density makes it ideal for floating on top of or layering with other liquids. Creative bartenders intentionally layer grenadine in drinks for stunning visuals.
Improvised Syrup
In a pinch, grenadine can substitute for many other syrups like simple syrup to sweeten and balance a drink. The flavor profile won’t be exact, but it works in certain recipes.
With all these handy uses behind the bar, quality grenadine is considered an essential ingredient for both craft and commercial bars. It adds visual appeal, fruitiness, and sweetness to all kinds of drinks in just small amounts.
5 Popular Cocktails Using Grenadine
Looking for drink inspiration using grenadine syrup? Here are 5 classic cocktails that famously feature grenadine as a key component:
Tequila Sunrise
This colorful brunch cocktail pairs tequila and orange juice with a gently floated layer of grenadine on top. The grenadine slowly sinks through the orange juice creating sunrise color bands.
Planter’s Punch
Planter’s Punch combines rum, citrus juices, and sweeteners like grenadine. The grenadine provides both sweetness to balance the citrus and the iconic red hue.
Ward 8
Whiskey meets grenadine in this vintage cocktail. The blend of rye or bourbon whiskey with lemon and orange juice gets its sweetness and red tones entirely from grenadine.
Jack Rose
This classic uses grenadine along with applejack brandy and lemon or lime juice. Grenadine contributes both tangy flavor and color to this Prohibition-era favorite.
Whiskey Sour
While traditional sours are just spirit, lemon juice, and sugar, many bartenders add a splash of grenadine to the whiskey sour for additional flavor, sweetness, and color.
From tiki punches to boozy brunches, quality grenadine is the secret weapon for creating vibrant, balanced cocktails. Experiment with homemade and artisanal varieties to take the flavor to the next level.
How to Make Grenadine at Home
Want to DIY your own grenadine at home for cocktails? Here is a simple step-by-step recipe to make homemade grenadine with just pomegranate juice and sugar:
Ingredients
- 2 cups 100% pomegranate juice
- 1 cup white sugar
Instructions
- Combine pomegranate juice and sugar together in a small saucepan.
- Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Transfer grenadine to a clean glass bottle or jar.
- Seal bottle and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
- Shake or stir before using in cocktails.
For a more intense pomegranate flavor, try using 100% pure pomegranate juice. For added complexity, you can also infuse spices like cinnamon sticks or citrus peels into the finished grenadine syrup.
Experiment with different sugar levels and juice types to customize your homemade grenadine to your taste preferences. Make big batches to always have this versatile cocktail ingredient on hand.
Common Questions about Grenadine
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about grenadine:
Is grenadine just pomegranate juice?
Grenadine is pomegranate-flavored syrup, not straight pomegranate juice. It contains pomegranate juice plus additional sweeteners and sometimes other flavorings. However, some 100% pomegranate juice products are labeled as grenadine.
Is grenadine bad for you?
Grenadine made with natural ingredients and sugar is not unhealthy in moderation. But many commercial brands are loaded with artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup, and preservatives that are less healthy.
Does grenadine have alcohol?
Most grenadines are non-alcoholic syrups. But grenadine originally contained pomegranate juice fermented into wine with added sugar. A few brands still make alcoholic grenadine using wine or brandy.
What’s the difference between grenadine and rose’s grenadine?
Rose’s is the most popular mass-produced U.S. brand of grenadine. Rose’s grenadine uses high fructose corn syrup instead of pure cane sugar. Many bartenders prefer homemade or artisanal grenadine for better quality.
Why is there a worm in bottled grenadine?
Some Mexican grenadine producers add a real worm to the bottom of the bottle as a marketing gimmick. The worm is not meant to be consumed – it is purely symbolic.
Conclusion
When mixing up delicious cocktails at home or serving drinks professionally behind the bar, the grenadine you choose makes all the difference. Syrupy commercial brands dominate the market. But for true depth of flavor, many bartenders opt for small-batch or homemade grenadine made with real pomegranate juice and sugar.
Quality grenadine imparts vibrant scarlet hues, sweet-tart complexity, and balanced flavors to cocktails. It brings drinks like the Tequila Sunrise and Planter’s Punch to life. Take a cue from expert bartenders and craft your own homemade grenadine or seek out artisanal brands. Ditch the high fructose corn syrup grenadines of the past and upgrade your cocktail experience with grenadine made the right way.
