Have you ever wondered about that red stuff they used to put in shirley temples when you were a kid? It’s called grenadine, and most of what you can get in a store is basically sugar-water with added red dye. Maybe you think its cherry flavored, or maybe you think its strawberry flavored, or maybe you even just think it’s red flavored.
Well, I can’t speak for the store bought stuff, but true grenadine is actually pomegranate flavored (hence the name: french or spanish speakers may recognize the words grenade or grenada, meaning pomegranate). It’s super easy to make, and the real thing is just a whole different experience than what you’re used to. It’s not quite as in-your-face RED, but its flavor is a bold balance of sour and sweet that can’t be matched by the fake stuff. It keeps forever in the freezer (and stays pourable), and it’s a great thing to have available when you are just looking for something different.
Summer is here, and it’s time to relax and have fun in the sun, so stir it into lemonade to easily get pomegranate lemonade for a little variety, or layer it below cucumber lemonade for a delicious color contrast. Of course there’s also lots of alcholic drinks you can make (tequila sunrise, anyone?) if that’s more your style. Or you can relive your younger years by treating yourself to a shirley temple every once in a while.
What you need:
- 2 c pomegranate juice
- 1 c sugar
What to do:
- Boil the pomegranate juice in a small saucepan. Keep it boiling for a while, until it reduces down to about 1 cup (you can keep pouring it into a measuring cup to check).
- Stir in the sugar until it dissolves, and take off the heat. Let it cool before using in drinks.
- Store in the freezer in an airtight container or a bottle (I usually just use the empty POM bottle that I got the juice in). Note: if it does freeze, just leave it out for a couple minutes and it will become fluid again
Hello,
I have been enjoying your blog, haven’t made anything yet but have bookmarked the Honey Feta Spread. Seems you are posting about things I am very interested in right now, like the Chimichurri and I am truly facinated by this homemade syrup. Thanks for this recipe.