Buzz
When I was younger, grenadine seemed like the ultimate symbol of sophistication, mainly because I had no clue what it actually was. All I knew was that it appeared in Shirley Temples, had a captivating, rich burgundy color, and was placed near the small bottles of club soda and margarita mix. Even if I had realized it was merely pomegranate-flavored syrup, I’d still have been quite impressed, because I was a child and had only encountered pomegranates in Greek mythology.
You can make your own grenadine by mixing pomegranate juice with an equal amount of sugar, but why limit yourself to just pomegranate, especially when you consider how expensive pomegranate juice can be? Almost any fruit juice can be turned into a grenadine-like syrup. I say “almost” because citrus juices can be a bit tricky. For instance, I’m not sure orange juice syrup would be great, but lemonade syrup would definitely be a winner.
Berry juices such as cherry, cranberry, and strawberry naturally work as grenadine substitutes, but you could also explore peach, Concord grape, and apple. Don’t forget the “cocktail” fruit drinks either—I imagine a Hawaiian Punch syrup could be quite tasty, especially in a summery old fashioned. The main goal when making syrups is sweetness, and this is a great way to use up any overly sweet juice drinks you may have bought by mistake.
Making any of these fruity syrups is simple—just combine one cup of juice with one cup of sugar in a saucepan and heat it until the sugar melts. If your juice is sour (like unsweetened cranberry) or you prefer a thicker syrup, you can double the sugar. Let it cool, then transfer it to a bottle and store it in the fridge, where it will last for at least a month. You can add your syrup to Singapore Slings, mimosas, plain soda water, or anything that could use a touch of fruity sweetness.
