A favourite in most bars, grenadine has long been the go-to sweetener for a bevy of popular cocktails. Traditionally grenadine is a pomegranate based sweetener which forms the base flavour for numerous cocktails. Unfortunately as Australians become more and more health conscious, we are searching for more natural alternatives to artificially produced old favourites. Today grenadine is a cheaply made, chemically sweetened syrup, devoid of any real pomegranate juice.
 

Nowadays grenadine is filled with high-fructose corn syrup and food colouring, nothing at all like the original which was fresh and preservative free. Why not make your own, not only will it be a healthier alternative but it will also enhance the flavour of any cocktail.
 

How to Make Grenadine
 

It so easy any one can give it a try. We found 2 very popular methods to concocting your own grenadine, one that involves cooking on the stove top and one that doesn’t.
 

1.       No Cooking Method
 

Ingredients: pomegranate juice, a bag of sugar and a jar.
 

Method: Combine one cup of the pomegranate juice and one cup of granulated sugar into a jar. Shake the container well until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add some more sugar and shake again vigorously.
 

The final result is a syrup like mixture that tastes bright and fresh which can sweeten and enhance any drink without adding harmful artificial colouring and additives of most commercial grenadines. The sugar content can be increased according to your preferences.
 

2.       Stove-top Method
 

The other method of making grenadine is to cook it on the stove. Use the same ingredients as the first method but start by adding 2 cups of pomegranate juice to a saucepan and bringing it to a boil. Once the juice comes to the boil reduce heat and allow to simmer for a few minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce nicely. Add one cup of sugar, and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
 

What you are left with is a silky and rich red grenadine which can significantly enhance the taste of your cocktails.
 

Obviously these 2 methods will produce different flavours but try them both and see which one you prefer.
 

Alternatively you could add some vodka or grain alcohol to act as a preservative and prolong the shelf life of your grenadine.  
 

Homemade grenadine can make your cocktails richer and fuller flavoured without masking the flavours of other ingredients. Similar to homemade simple syrup, home-made grenadine is a great addition to any bar.
 

Another useful bar staple is simple syrup. This can be used in a wide variety of drinks.
 

Simple Syrup
 

Also known as Bar Syrup or Sugar Syrup, this simple to create mixture is a supersaturated mixture of sugar and water. As a liquid, it easily dissolves in drinks where a bit of added sweetness is called for.
 

To make, gradually pour two cups of granulated sugar into a cup of boiling water and simmer for about ten minutes. Keep in the refrigerator until needed.
 

Popular Cocktails Using Grenadine
 

Use what you have just learned to whip up some of these delicious grenadine cocktails.
 

Mai Tai Cocktail
 

Ingredients
 

 2 parts dark rum
 

 2 parts white rum
 

 1 part curaçao
 

 1 part grenadine
 

 2 parts pineapple juice
 

 dash orgeat syrup
 

 1 part lime juice
 

Directions: Shake all ingredients together well. Strain into highball glass over ice cubes. Garnish with pineapple spear on rim and paper umbrella.
 

Tequila Sunrise Cocktail
 

Ingredients
 

 2 shots white tequila
 

 glass orange juice
 

 1 shot grenadine
 

Directions:
 

Pour tequila into chilled highball glass filled with ice cubes. Fill up with orange juice stir and pour grenadine on top, although it should sink to the bottom creating a beautiful sunrise effect.
 

HAWIIAN PUNCH Cocktail
 

 Ingredients
 

 0.25 oz amaretto
 

 0.5 oz southern comfort
 

 0.5 oz vodka
 

 1 splash grenadine
 

 1 splash lemon lime soda
 

 1 splash orange juice
 

Directions: Pour all ingredients over ice, shake and strain into a large glass. Serve with large slices of lemon, lime and orange.
 

Daiquiri Cocktail
 

 Ingredients
 

 1 part grenadine
 

 2 parts lemon juice
 

 4 parts white rum
 

Directions Mix one part grenadine with 2 parts lemon juice and 4 parts white rum then pour over ice in a cocktail glass. Add whichever fruit you like blended with ice to make the popular classic cocktail.
 

 Posted by Peter Cutforth