6 Grenadine Syrup Alternatives for Drinks

Grenadine syrup substitute options can transform your drinks when this classic red mixer isn't available in your pantry.

Many people don't realize that alternatives exist beyond the store-bought bottles with their bright coloring and high-fructose corn syrup.

These creative replacements often provide similar vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor profile without artificial ingredients.

The best substitutes maintain that signature ruby hue while adding their own unique character to cocktails and mocktails.

Some alternatives might actually enhance your beverages with more complex flavor notes than commercial grenadine itself.

Most home cooks already have potential replacements sitting in their refrigerator or cupboard right now.

After learning about these ingenious stand-ins, you'll never worry about running out of grenadine again for your favorite drinks.

Common Reasons for Needing a Grenadine Substitute

Sometimes you run out of grenadine or need an alternative for health, taste, or convenience, luckily, there are plenty of reasons and easy swaps for this classic cocktail syrup:

• No Grenadine on Hand: The most common reason is simply running out when you want to make a Shirley Temple, Tequila Sunrise, or other bright red drinks.
• Too Much Sugar: Grenadine is quite sweet, so you may want a lower-sugar or sugar-free option for lighter cocktails or mocktails.
• Artificial Ingredients: Many store-bought grenadines use artificial colors and flavors, so homemade or natural substitutes let you avoid additives.
• Allergy Concerns: If you or your guests are sensitive to certain dyes, pomegranate, or other ingredients, a simple fruit syrup or juice can offer a safe alternative.
• Wanting a New Flavor: Sometimes you just want to switch it up, a tart cherry syrup, raspberry puree, or cranberry juice can add a fun twist to drinks.
• Healthier Choices: Using 100% pomegranate juice or mixing your own syrup with honey means more vitamins and less processed sugar.

Ideal Grenadine Syrup Alternatives

Grenadine syrup running out during preparation can be handled with a quick swap that fits neatly into the same step. The flow of the recipe stays steady from start to finish.

Pomegranate Molasses

Pomegranate molasses adds a unique sweet-tart flavor to dishes, but several substitutions work wonderfully when this ingredient isn't available.

Cranberry juice offers a similar tangy profile with less sweetness, making it perfect for salads or as an ice cream topping while helping reduce sugar intake.

For those wanting a fresher taste, pomegranate seeds can replace grenadine syrup in recipes, though they won't deliver the same concentrated flavor as the molasses.

Making your own pomegranate molasses at home requires just pomegranates and sugar - simply blend the fruit until smooth, extract the juice, and simmer it with sugar until thickened.

Raspberry Syrup

Raspberry syrup offers a natural alternative to grenadine with its tart flavor and bright red color, making it perfect for cocktails, flavored liquors, and even chocolate or caramel treats.

Strawberry cocktail syrup, designed originally for daiquiris, works well in any grenadine recipe though it's less sweet and contains fewer calories and no cholesterol.

Pomegranate molasses serves as an excellent substitute since pomegranate is actually a key ingredient in traditional grenadine, with just one teaspoon replacing three tablespoons of the original syrup.

Cherry Juice

Grenadine syrup, a sweet pomegranate-based ingredient, can be easily made at home by crushing pomegranate seeds, extracting the juice, and cooking it with sugar until it reaches syrup consistency.

Raspberry syrup stands as the most popular substitute, offering a bright red color and berry flavor that works wonderfully in cocktails and can be homemade by combining raspberries, sugar, and pomegranate molasses.

Maraschino cherry syrup provides another excellent alternative, though slightly thicker and sweeter than traditional grenadine, it still delivers delicious results in the same quantities and doubles as a drink decoration.

Syrup Of Orgeat

Orgeat syrup brings a sweet, nutty dimension to Tiki cocktails through its blend of almonds, sugar, and floral waters like rose or orange blossom.

When substituting for grenadine, you should know that while orgeat matches the sweetness level with about 9.5 grams of sugar per tablespoon, it lacks grenadine's signature fruity tartness that many cocktails require.

For a better grenadine alternative, citrus juices, rhubarb, cherry, or cranberry juice can provide that missing fruity character your drinks need.

Liqueur Cassis

Creme de cassis, a rich black currant liqueur popular as an after-dinner drink, serves as an excellent substitute for grenadine in cocktails due to its similar tart and fruity flavor profile.

The syrupy consistency of this French specialty makes it perfect for mixed drinks, though at 25% ABV, it significantly increases the alcohol content when replacing non-alcoholic grenadine.

Many bartenders recommend reducing other alcoholic ingredients by about 25% when making this substitution to maintain balance in your drink.

For those concerned about excessive sweetness, adding lemon juice, ginger, or orange bitters can create a more complex flavor profile that highlights the distinctive taste of black currants.

Cocktail Of Cranberry Juice Concentrate

Cranberry juice cocktail concentrate offers a sharp, tangy alternative to grenadine syrup in drinks that need color and flavor.

The concentrate contains pure cranberry juice without the grape or apple additions found in regular cranberry juice, giving it a more authentic taste.

Its deep red color, thick consistency, and perfect balance of sweetness and tartness make it nearly indistinguishable from traditional grenadine in most cocktails.

Many bartenders prefer this substitute because it provides the same visual appeal while adding a refreshing dimension that standard grenadine lacks.

The natural blend of cranberry with subtle notes of apple and pear creates a more complex flavor profile that enhances rather than overwhelms your favorite mixed drinks.

DIY Grenadine: How to Make It at Home

Making your own grenadine at home is simple, fresher than store-bought, and lets you control the sweetness and color in your drinks.

• Step 1: Use 100% pure pomegranate juice for the best flavor and that classic deep red color.
• Step 2: Mix equal parts juice and white sugar in a saucepan (like 1 cup juice and 1 cup sugar) for a basic syrup.
• Step 3: Warm the mixture over low heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, don’t let it boil, just heat until smooth.
• Step 4: For extra tang, add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or a few drops of orange blossom water while it’s still warm.
• Step 5: Let your grenadine cool, then pour it into a clean bottle or jar and refrigerate; it will keep for about a month.
• Step 6: Taste your syrup and add more sugar or juice as you like for a thicker or thinner syrup, or to get just the right balance of sweet and tart.

Grenadine Alternatives: Your Questions Answered

1. Will using a substitute change the flavor of my drink?

Yes, each alternative has its own sweetness and tartness. Pomegranate and cranberry juices are less sweet, while syrups add more concentrated sweetness.

2. Can I make homemade grenadine as a substitute?

Yes, simmer equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar until thickened, then cool before using in place of commercial grenadine.

3. Are there non-alcoholic alternatives to grenadine?

All traditional grenadine substitutes are non-alcoholic, including fruit juices and flavored syrups.

4. Will substitutes affect the color of my cocktails?

Most substitutes like pomegranate or cherry syrup will give a vibrant red color similar to grenadine in mixed drinks.

5. Can I use raspberry syrup instead of grenadine in recipes?

Yes, raspberry syrup works well for both drinks and desserts, but expect a noticeable berry flavor compared to classic grenadine.

6. Are there low-sugar alternatives to grenadine?

Try unsweetened pomegranate or cranberry juice and add a small amount of sugar or sweetener to control the sweetness level.