RCP: Grenadine

Not sure that this is the best place for this, but it's a recipe, anyway.

Not sure how many of you enjoy cocktails and out of those who do, I don't know that many of you would make anything requiring grenadine. What's available in the stores pretty much tastes like concentrated maraschino cherry syrup. But there are some very good cocktails that require a bit of grenadine. Planter's Punch comes to mind as does my favorite tequila drink, the Chapala. And of course, it's always useful if your kids get a hankering for a Shirley Temple or a Roy Rogers.

I came across this method for making your own grenadine on the Egullet "Spirits and Cocktails" forum. It was posted by Katie Loeb, a Philadelphia bartender. Here's how it went for me:

Buy a quart of pomegranate juice (I used Trader Joe's Organic). Measure out 16 oz. and transfer to a saucepan. Reduce on the stovetop to 8 oz.

Meanwhile, add 2 cups of sugar to the 16 oz. of juice remaining in the jar. Cap and shake until the sugar dissolves.

When the juice on the stovetop has reduced, add 1/4 c. pomegranate molasses and 2 c. sugar. Stir until everything's dissolved. When it's cooled off, combine syrup made with the reduced juice with the syrup that was made in the jar. Add 1/2 teaspoon of orange flower water and a few drops (1/8 teaspoon or less) of vanilla extract.

Then add some vodka. And this is the tricky part. You need to get enough vodka in to keep the stuff from spontaneously fermenting or molding. I added about 4 oz. of 80 proof vodka. I just made this stuff today, so I can't say how long it will be usable. I would like to be able to keep it in a cupboard rather than the refrigerator, but we'll see how that goes. I also have enough to last me for a very long time (so if it's stable, I'll give some away).

The flavor is much deeper and more complex than commercial grenadine. There was a noticeable difference in a Chapala I made from this vs. Rose's grenadine, even though the drink only requires a splash of grenadine. Definitely worth the small amount of effort required.

Where does one buy pomogranite molasses and orange flower water?

Robert -

Stores that sell Middle Eastern food will commonly have pomegranate molasses and orange flower water on the shelves. I think you could probably make the grenadine without these and still have pretty good results, though.

That sounds ten times better than Rose's. I never would have guessed that there was vanilla in grenadine but then again the only kind I have ever had was Rose's and that is probably the Beringer White Zinfandel of grenadines.

Where does one buy pomogranite molasses and orange flower water?

Tulsa does not strike me as home to many Middle Eastern food stores - am I right, Mr. 1,000?

Dave - The vanilla is probably the most "optional" of the ingredients. Apparently (based on the Egullet discussion) some use it, some leave it out. A little definitely goes a very long way, in this recipe.

And Robert - I've never ordered from this site, but they have both orange flower water and pomegranate molasses available:
http://www.buylebanese.com/default.asp

[Jenise]

That sounds very compelling. Though I've never been much for cocktails or anything other than wine (though more recently, single malt scotches beckon), I went through a Tequila Sunrise phase a long time ago, and it probably wouldn't take much to get me there again. Truth is I just never got over the Shirley Temples of my childhood--the Sunrise was just a way of turning it into a healthier adult drink.

I can only imagine that home made grenadine, like homemade bitters etc, make a world of difference in whatever they are used in; kinda like the difference between fresh orange juice and frozen concentrate. I think I've got to try your RCP, Mike. Rose's doesn’t have any alcohol in it does it?

Jon - I'm pretty sure there's no alcohol in Rose's grenadine. I don't have a bottle in front of me, but I'd guess they use sorbate or something like that to stabilize it.

I'll post if my bottle gets fizzy or moldy.

There is not any alcohol in the Rose's. One more reason to like your recipe better!

WOW! Thanks for the post. Rum punch -- here I come!

Where does one buy pomogranite molasses and orange flower water?

Tulsa does not strike me as home to many Middle Eastern food stores - am I right, Mr. 1,000?

You are so right, Jon! South of the border fixin's are all over the place here, OTOH.

WOW! Thanks for the post. Rum punch -- here I come!

Our favorite everyday one is as follows (for 1 drink):

2 oz. dark rum
1.5 oz orange juice
1.5 oz pineapple juice
3/4 oz. lemon or lime juice
1/4 to 1/2 oz grenadine

Shake well with ice and strain over rocks. Garnish with a cherry. Add a floater of 151-proof Demerara rum if there's any around. Took it from "The Complete Book of Mixed Drinks" by Anthony Dias Blue.

Where to buy orange flower water suggestions:

Middle Eastern grocer
International food grocer
Gourmet food shops
Cooking equipment shops
Herb stores
Health food stores
Certain drugstores carry rose and orange flower water

Please support your small Middle Eastern, Asian and International food stores. They usually have a wide assortment of food items at a fraction of the cost you will get in the exotic sections of upscale markets. I have found some real gems.

I have found some real gems.

So have I. Dried bird poop in a 5-pound bag of Basmati rice, for one. Discovered AFTER I had already made a couple of batches. Found at a Vietnamese/Thai grocery in Oklahoma City. The rest of the bag got tossed.

I have found some real gems.

So have I. Dried bird poop in a 5-pound bag of Basmati rice, for one. Discovered AFTER I had already made a couple of batches. Found at a Vietnamese/Thai grocery in Oklahoma City. The rest of the bag got tossed.

I found a dead fly in a can of tuna fish once I bought at Safeway. What's your point?