Grenadine is a popular ingredient in cocktails, available in two forms: non-alcoholic (syrup) and alcoholic (liqueur, about 3-4% strength). Differs in tart-sweet taste and rich ruby color. The syrup is made from the fruit of the pomegranate, in fact, this is indicated by the name (from the French grenade – “pomegranate”). In addition, the list of required ingredients also includes sugar and water.
Grenadine Pomegranate Syrup is not a trademark or a controlled name. The basic elements remain unchanged, but everything else, including taste, composition, density and other characteristics, may vary depending on the manufacturer. Some companies add blackcurrant juice to the drink, others reduce the amount of natural ingredients, replacing them with fragrances and flavors. In most cases, this is aimed at reducing the cost of production and making the syrup available to the mass consumer.
History
It is not known for certain when pomegranate syrup took its rightful place on kitchen shelves, but recipes with this ingredient can be found in cookbooks already at the end of the XNUMXth century.
Preparation of grenadine
Unlike many other cocktail ingredients, grenadine is easy to make at home.
Ingredients:
- pomegranate juice (can be mixed with blackcurrant juice) – 0,5 liters;
- sugar – 0,5 kg;
- vodka (alcohol) – 5-25 ml (optional);
- orange or rose water, citrus essence – 2-4 drops (optional).
It is advisable to use pure pomegranate juice squeezed out of ripe fruits (always seedless). Store-bought juices contain too many preservatives and are often not actually pomegranate. You can add blackcurrant juice to the composition (replace part of the pomegranate), but this will degrade the quality of the grenadine. Aromatic water or essence enriches the aroma, but it is important not to overdo it so as not to completely drown out the smell. The alcoholic content increases the shelf life, but the classic cocktail syrup is non-alcoholic.
Recipe
1. Mix pomegranate juice with sugar in a 1: 1 ratio.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heating power to a minimum. Boil for 15-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The exact cooking time depends on the desired density of the syrup – the more liquid evaporates, the thicker and darker the homemade grenadine will turn out.
3. Remove the pan from heat, cover, cool to room temperature.
4. Optionally add alcohol (vodka) and / or flavors: essence, orange or rose water. Mix.
5. Pour into bottles for storage, seal tightly. Shake well before use.
Attention! At room temperature, homemade grenadine lasts only about three weeks, because, unlike store-bought counterparts, it does not contain preservatives. If the composition contains alcohol, the shelf life is slightly increased.
Famous brands
The most popular and affordable brand is Rose’s, but it is made from corn syrup with dyes, sweeteners and flavors. Grenadine is made from real pomegranate by brands such as Small Hand Foods, Stirrings, Employees Only, Sonoma Syrup, BG Reynolds’, Wilks&Wilson Genevieve’s, etc.
Grenadine cocktails
Connoisseurs say: “If you can buy only one syrup in a bar, let it be grenadine. No other drink will add as much flavor and color to cocktails as this ingredient.”
- Bourbon Daisy. Fill a shaker with ice, pour in two parts bourbon, ½ part grenadine, ¾ parts lemon juice. Mix everything, pour into a cocktail glass. Top with a layer of yellow chartreuse (1/3 part).
- Pousse Cafe. Pour equal portions of grenadine, coffee liqueur, mint liqueur, triple sec, bourbon, rum into a glass (shot or highball).
- Tequila Sunrise. Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour 4 parts of orange juice, one and a half parts of tequila, add a few drops of grenadine. Decorate the glass with a cocktail cherry and an orange slice.
- Seabreeze. Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour equal parts of apricot brandy, lemon juice, gin. Add a few drops of grenadine, dilute with sparkling water to taste. Serve with a fresh mint leaf.
- Shirley Temple. Non-alcoholic cocktail of ginger ale (5 parts), grenadine (1/3 part) and sugar syrup (1 part). Serve with ice and a cocktail cherry.
