Demonstrating Your Cooking Expertise

If you have ever had a Shirley Temple, then you are very familiar with the bright red ingredient in the drink called grenadine. Grenadine is a must when making the alcohol-free drink, but some of the products you see at the local grocery store are filled with tons of sugar. If you want to make your own tasty grenadine at home, keep reading to learn about some tips that can help you with the recipe.

Cut Back On The Sugar

You can find a multitude of grenadine recipes at home, and the basic concoction is really quite easy to make. While most people think that the syrup is one made with cherry juice, thanks to the color, it really is made with pomegranate juice. So, you want to get some pomegranate juice to start. Look for a low-sugar variety or make your own at home. 

Usually, grenadine recipes call for about two cups of sugar. Reduce the sugar content by one-half. Mix the sugar with the juice, boil it, and allow it to simmer on your stove for about 15 minutes. Taste the mixture to see if it is sweet enough for your taste. If it is not, then add a small bit of honey.

If you want the sweet taste without the sugar, then you can mix in a sugar substitute instead of using the sugar. Stevia, agave, and Truvia are all good options. Keep in mind that you only need a small amount of the substitute. For example, one teaspoon of stevia is equal to one cup of regular sugar. If artificial sweeteners are not your thing, then consider using maple syrup instead. Not only can you avoid some of the sugar, but your grenadine will retain a unique maple taste. 

Use Extra Ingredients

In the most basic sense, grenadine can be made with just pomegranate juice and sugar. However, if you want to get away from the sugary sweetness, then it is best to add a few extra ingredients to the mix to create a more complex taste. Many recipes call for a splash of orange flower water, so give this a try. You can also add a splash of orange juice, or you can add some cranberry or cranberry-orange juice. A few squirts of lemon juice can help to create a unique flavor too.

Some individuals also like to make their grenadine with black currant flavoring or juice. If you want to try this, then use a 50/50 mix of pomegranate and currant juice. Contact a local distributor for more information on making your own grenadine syrup.