Grenadine

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Grenadine is traditionally a non-alcoholic red syrup. It is used as an ingredient in cocktails, both for its flavour and to give a pink tinge to mixed drinks. "Grenadines" are also made by mixing the syrup with cold water in a glass or pitcher, adding ice or not.

The name "grenadine" comes from the French word grenade for pomegranate, as grenadine was originally prepared from pomegranate juice and sugar. However, "grenadine" is also a common name loosely applied to syrups and beverages consisting of other fruit juices (e.g. raspberry, redcurrant, blackberry) and sugar syrup. The characteristic flavor can be obtained from a mixture of blackcurrant juice and other fruit juices with the blackcurrant flavour dominating.^[1] Some grenadines now are artificial and contain no juice.

Grenadine syrup is commonly used to mix "cherry" Coca-Colas (also called Grenadinis or Roy Rogers cocktails), pink lemonade, Shirley Temple cocktails, Tequila Sunrises, and flavor-soaked cherries, making them bright red. These are in turn often used in fruitcakes. It can also be added to a Mimosa to offset a red and orange color. Grenadine can also be combined with beer, forming what has been coined "grena-beer." The grena-beer fad originated in Las Vegas in 2002 and is currently popular mainly in southern California.

Traditional grenadine syrup is still made from pomegranate juice. This concoction is non-alcoholic.

The name is also applied to alcoholic cordials, such as that made by J. R. Phillips "originally distilled from Devon herbs and spices." [1]