Grenadine Cocktail Syrup

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/15/22
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Homemade grenadine syrup

The Spruce Eats / Photographer: Margot Cavin, Food Stylist: Kristin Stangl

Prep: 2 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 22 mins
Servings: 48 servings
Yield: 3 cups
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
6 Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 48
Amount per serving
Calories 6
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 22mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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. All of these sweeteners are essential to a well-stocked bar. If you want to make popular drinks such as the tequila ​sunrise, Shirley Temple (or its alcoholic counterpart, the dirty Shirley), and countless others, you will need a bottle of grenadine.

Just like most cocktail mixers, grenadine is better when made from scratch. You will also find that it can save money in comparison to store-bought brands, especially if you buy pomegranate juice regularly and have it on hand.

Orange flower water is typically available in Middle Eastern grocers or the international aisle of a well-stocked grocery store. If you can't find it, you can make your own.

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Click Play to See This Sweet-Tart Grenadine Cocktail Syrup Come Together

"This syrup is delicious! It's typically used in cocktails, but I could see it used in other ways. Drizzle it over ice cream, fritters, or pancakes, or add some to flavor to frosting or yogurt. Orange flower water can be found online if you can't find it locally." —Diana Rattray

Two bottles of grenadine cocktail syrup
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for grenadine cocktail syrup recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  2. In a saucepan, combine the pomegranate juice and sugar.

    Pomegranate juice and sugar in a pot on a burner

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  3. Bring to a slow boil, stirring constantly until all of the sugar is dissolved.

    Sugar and pomegranate juice mixture boilng in a pot on a burner

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  4. Reduce the heat and cover.

    Grenadine mixture cooking in a pot on a burner

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  5. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Grenadine mixture stirred with a wooden spoon in a pot on a burner

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  6. Allow the mixture to cool, then pour it into a small decanter or bottle with a tight-sealing lid.

    Grenadine poured into a glass bottle

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  7. Add a dash or two of orange flower water (don't overdo it).

    Orange flower water being added to homemade grenadine syrup in a glass bottle

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  8. Seal the bottle and give it a few good shakes.

    Grenadine cocktail syrup in a glass bottle

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

Tips

  • This grenadine recipe makes about 3 cups or about 48 tablespoons. Most drink recipes use about 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, so you should be able to get up to 48 drinks from a single batch.
  • Fresh pomegranate is always a good choice. The fruits are typically in season from September through December. You will need to work with the juicy little seeds, however, which can be time-consuming.

Recipe Variations

  • If you can't find orange flower water—it's not a common ingredient—you can use orange or lemon peels instead. Simply add citrus peels to the boiling pomegranate juice and sugar.
  • Orange oil or triple sec may also be used as a substitute for the orange blossom water.
  • Grenadine can also be made from a combination of black currant and pomegranate juices. Decide which flavor you want to dominate and split the total juice volume between the two. You could also add a little black currant liqueur, such as crème de cassis, which is easier to find than the juice.
  • Blended juices such as pomegranate-cranberry juice are readily available and are often much less expensive than straight pomegranate juice. It makes a good cranberry grenadine that can work well in many drinks.

How to Store and Freeze Grenadine

  • Homemade grenadine should last up to three weeks in the refrigerator, which is much shorter than commercial brands that contain preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup. Feel free to halve this recipe or adjust it according to your anticipated usage.
  • Add 1/4 ounce of vodka as a preservative to extend grenadine's shelf life. The higher the proof, the better; choose one over 80 proof for the best results.
  • Some people also recommend freezing the grenadine. However, you might find this takes the freshness out of the syrup. Freeze it in ice cube trays with a lid, if possible.