Grenadine Substitute?

Adore that deliciously sweet and tangy taste of grenadine? Great—loads of alternatives are out there for this crucial cocktail ingredient!

In fact, Grenadine is such a popular drink that it has its own subreddit.

But how do you pick between all the different options available?

We’ve got you covered.

What are some substitutes for grenadine?

Pomegranate syrup

If you want to go with a tart option, try pomegranate syrup.

This stuff has a tangy, fruity taste and adds an interesting dimension to your cocktails.

The only issue with using pomegranate syrup as a grenadine substitute is that it isn’t quite as thick as grenadine so you may need to add extra sugar when you mix it in.

The end result should be just fine though.

Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is another great option for a grenadine substitute because it offers a similar sweet-and-sour taste.

You can also add a bit more sweetness with either simple syrup or honey.

Make sure not to overdo it with cranberry juice though, otherwise the taste will get very strong and overpower other ingredients.

Just like pomegranate syrup, this option requires extra sugar to achieve the same thickness as grenadine.

Raspberry syrup

Raspberry syrup works well as a grenadine substitute because it’s both sweet and sour, which makes it perfect for any drink that needs a little kick.

It’s also really easy to find and comes in handy when you want a quick fix.

However, you might find it difficult to match the texture of raspberry syrup with other ingredients, especially if they’re too thin.

Currant juice

Currant juice is one of the most common choices for grenadine substitutes because it tastes great, it’s easy to find, and it’s inexpensive.

As long as you buy quality fruit juice, you won’t even notice the difference from grenadine.

Currant juice can be used as a substitution for grenadine for any drink that calls for red wine, but it does tend to work best with drinks containing raspberries.

Cherry juice

Cherry juice is also a great choice for a grenadine substitute because it’s naturally sweet and sour at the same time.

Like currants, cherry juice pairs nicely with raspberries and red wine.

Cherry juice is also pretty easy to come by.

Some grocery stores sell it as part of their juice blends while others carry individual bottles on the shelves.

If you can’t find it anywhere, you can always make your own by blending fresh cherries with water.

Lemonade

Lemonade is another great option for a grenadine substitute because it’s refreshingly sweet.

You can use lemonade to replace grenadine in drinks calling for cola or ginger ale.

And if you’d rather keep things light, then lemonade would be a great alternative to regular grenadine.

Lemonade is a popular drink throughout the summer months so you should have no trouble finding it at your local market.

What can I use instead of grenadine?

Simple syrup

Simple syrup is a sweetener made from equal parts sugar and water.

To replace grenadine with simple syrup, simply combine equal amounts of sugar and water in a small container and shake until dissolved.

Use this in place of grenadine whenever you need a subtle sweet-and-sour touch.

Honey

Honey is another great option for grenadine replacement because it has a similar sweet-and-sour taste.

You can easily combine honey with water to create a simple syrup, which you can then use to replace grenadine in drinks that call for it.

Honey can also be used to replace grenadine in drinks that contain cranberry juice.

Adding honey to the mix will give the cranberry juice a deeper color and slightly thicker consistency.

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Sugar can also be used as a grenadine replacement.

When you’re adding sugar to your drinks, start out small and gradually increase the amount until you reach the desired level of sweetness.

Then you can add it directly to the drink.

What’s a good grenadine substitute?

When choosing a grenadine substitute you should consider the type of drink it’ll be used in.

For instance, grenadine is commonly used in martinis, margaritas, and daiquiris.

So if you’re replacing grenadine in these types of drinks, then you’ll want to choose something that fits the style of drink.

Pomegranate syrup is a great option for a martini, while simple syrup and honey are ideal for a margarita.

While we usually associate grenadine with tropical drinks, it can also be used to replace rum in classic drinks like Manhattans.

For example, if you were going to make a Manhattan with rye whiskey, vermouth, orange bitters, maraschino liqueur, and grenadine, what would you use instead of the original grenadine?

A combination of simple syrup and maraschino liqueur would be a great fit.

What do I use if I don’t have grenadine?

If you’re looking for a grenadine substitute that doesn’t involve mixing anything, then you can always use club soda.

Simply add the two together and stir briefly before serving.

Since club soda is basically water with carbonated bubbles, it will create a frothy texture that looks identical to the original.

I don’t have grenadine; now what?

In case you still need some help getting started, here are some basic recipes that you can adapt to suit your needs:

Martini

Combine 1 ounce of dry vermouth, 1/4 cup of vodka, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters in a shaker filled with ice.

Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Margarita

Combine 3 ounces of tequila, 1/2 cup of lime juice, and 1/2 cup of salt in a shaker filled with ice.

Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled glass.

Daiquiri

Combine 1 tablespoon of light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup of pineapple juice, 1/3 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice, and 2 ounces of dark rum in a blender.

Blend until smooth.

Strain into a collins glass and serve immediately.

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