Here are the 10 best recipes featuring pomegranate syrup or grenadine – just in time for peak pomegranate season. There’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re a bartender, barista, baker or chef.
This post is sponsored by Sonoma Syrup Co.
It’s hard to believe that we’re already at the tail-end of summer and heading into fall. While we’ve likely all seen Halloween costumes on store shelves and debates on how soon is TOO soon to bring back the pumpkin spice latte over the past couple of weeks, there’s a lot more to get excited about this time of year – like all of the amazing fall produce!
One of my favorite fall fruits is tart and tangy pomegranate, not only for its great flavor, but because it can be used in so many different ways. It can be used for savory cooking or sweet treats, cocktails or mocktails. It can even be used for your favorite coffee, tea or espresso drink! Pomegranate comes in many different forms – like seeds, juice, molasses and syrup – so its flexibility in the kitchen should come as no surprise.
You know I’ve been a huge fan of Sonoma Syrup Co.’s products for quite some time, and this time of year I can’t help but move their Pomegranate Simple Syrup and Grenadine to the front of my pantry. They’re the perfect products to have on hand as we ease into fall, whether I’m whipping up a salad featuring my favorite seasonal fruits and veggies or mixing up a cocktail.
To celebrate one of fall’s star players, I’ve rounded up 10 of my favorite recipes using pomegranate syrup or grenadine, including ways to adapt existing recipes to use these time-saving ingredients.
Let’s get to it!
Pomegranate Margarita from Sonoma Syrup Co.
While usually rife with citrus, margaritas get a colorful (and tasty!) seasonal touch with the addition of pomegranate simple syrup. It’s the perfect way to sweeten up a typically tangy drink while also adding depth of flavor. When making a special margarita like this one, be sure you use high-quality tequila. This will not only elevate the taste even more, but also prevent you from getting a nasty hangover the next day. Look for tequilas that state “100% de agave” on the bottle, as that assures that there have not been any other weird added sweeteners that will leave you regretting the drink in the morning.
Dress up your Pomegranate Margarita by adding a few pomegranate arils to the glass (you can find the arils in the produce section of most grocery stores) or by rimming the glass with sugar studded with lime zest. For an extra hit of pomegranate flavor, you could even use the pomegranate syrup to get your lime-studded sugar to stick. The possibilities are endless, and the flavor is to-die-for. This is a great drink to start enjoying now and continue serving well into the holidays, because who doesn’t love a festive, bright red cocktail come December?
Shirley Temple from Bon Appetít
Of course, we couldn’t do a roundup on pomegranate syrup/grenadine without including the classic nonalcoholic drink (and favorite of children everywhere) – the Shirley Temple! This is such a simple drink to make, and a fun treat for kiddos on a special occasion. As in this recipe from Bon Appetít, it’s classically made with grenadine, ginger ale, and garnished with a maraschino cherry. However, modern-day recipes have also been known to include such innovative ingredients as lemon-lime soda, lemonade or even orange juice.
I love that this kid-friendly mocktail can be easily elevated with the use of a good ginger ale or ginger beer and Sonoma Syrup’s Classic Grenadine Syrup. Using high-quality products like these cuts back on processed ingredients – which you know I’m a huge fan of – and should also minimize the crazy sugar rush kids our kids so easily succumb to.
Your little ones (and mocktail-enjoying friends) will love this fancy take on the classic at your next get-together or dinner party.
Pomegranate Vinaigrette Domaine Chandon by Sonoma Syrup Co.
You read that right – pomegranate syrup can also be used in cooking! And what better way to do so than with a zesty red wine vinaigrette from the kitchens of one of the most well-known wineries in Wine Country? This tasty salad recipe hails from the kitchens of Domaine Chandon in world-famous Napa Valley and pairs the winery’s light and juicy Pinot Noir with Sonoma Syrup Co.’s Pomegranate Simple Syrup to create a perfectly balanced vinaigrette. When drizzled over a bed of greens topped with grapes, pecans and pomegranate seeds, you’ll get the ultimate taste of Wine Country in your very own home.
This vinaigrette would also make a great marinade for filets or roast duck or – who are we kidding? – served alongside a loaf of freshly baked bread for dipping.
Southern Sweet Iced Tea by Sonoma Syrup Co.
This Southern Sweet Iced Tea is another great use for pomegranate syrup that doesn’t involve alcohol. Use the base recipe as your guide as far as amounts, then choose your favorite herbal tea to perfectly complement the pomegranate flavor. It’s a no-fail recipe that’s perfect to sip on while the sunlight still lingers past 6 o’clock.
To really step things up a notch, garnish your iced tea with a fresh sprig of whichever type of herbal tea you’ve used in your recipe – fresh mint, chamomile and rooibos are all tasty options.
Kir Royale by Liquor.com
The Kir Royale is a French cocktail typically made with sparkling wine and créme de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur), but why not give it a modern makeover by subbing in grenadine? I love any kind of cocktail that involves sparkling because it turns any occasion into a special one, especially this time of year when there are tons of things to celebrate!
Try a drier style of sparkling wine for this one, as the grenadine will sweeten it up a bit. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig or some extra pomegranate arils to make your Kir Royale especially appropriate for the season.
Pomegranate Soda Ice Cream Float by CaliGirl Cooking
Of course, no pomegranate syrup recipe roundup would be complete without a way to use it in a sweet treat! Make your own pomegranate soda by adding Sonoma Syrup Co.’s pomegranate syrup to sparkling water or club soda, then just add vanilla ice cream to turn it into a tasty float. With the syrup’s pure ingredients, making your own soda helps you cut back on not-so-healthy stuff that often goes into store-bought pops and control just how sweet you want it to be.
This is another one that the kids will love. It’s the perfect treat for back-to-school or a weekend get-together with friends while the weather is still warm.
Frosé by Real Simple
No doubt by now you’ve heard of this latest frozen drink craze, but did you know you can make frosé extra-tasty with the addition of some brightly hued grenadine? It not only adds a great pop of color to an already gorgeous drink, but it also lends an extra depth of flavor that plain old rosé just can’t give you.
This recipe adds in strawberries for extra body, but you could also try raspberries or watermelon for a slightly different take on things. This is another one to make now while the weather is still warm – the perfect drink to enjoy poolside!
Pomegranate Peppercorn Glaze by Sonoma Syrup Co.
Alright, chefs – here’s another one for you! This Pomegranate Peppercorn Glaze is the perfect way to dress up pork tenderloins, steaks, or even grilled salmon. It’s versatile enough to use as a marinade AND a sauce on its own, or add it to your favorite cream-based sauce for the ultimate hybrid. Toss the creamy version with your favorite pasta for a hearty vegetarian dish, or use the glaze as-is to dress up roasted sweet potatoes. The possibilities are endless!
French Quarter Cocktails by Martha Stewart
One of the best things about grenadine is that it pairs well with so many different types of liquor. These French Quarter Cocktails pair the syrup with rum in a New Orleans-inspired drink that’s sure to make you feel festive. I mean, how can you not with two different types of rum, pineapple and orange juice? It’s practically Mardi Gras in a glass.
Garnish these fun cocktails with maraschino cherries, pineapple wedges and orange slices. Get extravagant with it, because that’s exactly what these drinks are meant to be.
Pomegranate Moscow Mule adapted from DELISH
Of course, this wouldn’t be a proper pomegranate syrup roundup without me putting my own spin on a pomegranate cocktail. The Moscow Mule is one of my absolute favorite adult beverages, so when I saw this recipe from DELISH, I knew I wanted to use some of Sonoma Syrup Co.’s flavored simple syrups to give this pomegranate cocktail my own personal touch.
One of the greatest things about naturally sweetened simple syrups infused with fantastic flavor is that you can easily cut down on the prep time and number of ingredients needed and still have something fantastic to sip on in minutes flat. By using Sonoma Syrup Co.’s Pomegranate Simple Syrup and Sweetened Lime Juice in this recipe, I was able to leave out the honey and still get the exact same flavor profile. Just as with every Moscow Mule, high-quality vodka and ginger beer are key in taking the drink over the top.
Pomegranate Moscow Mule (adapted from DELISH)
Equipment
- Cocktail stirrer
- Cocktail jigger or small measuring cup
- Copper mug or other cocktail glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce Sonoma Syrup Co. Pomegranate Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Sonoma Syrup Co. Sweetened Lime Juice
- 1/2 cup ice
- 2 ounces ginger beer
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate arils
- Sprig of fresh rosemary
Instructions
- In your copper mug or cocktail glass, stir together the vodka, pomegranate syrup, lime juice and ice.
- Top with ginger beer and garnish with pomegranate arils and rosemary sprig.
Notes
- You can find the original recipe from DELISH here.
- Be sure to use high-quality vodka and ginger beer for the best-tasting Pomegranate Mule!
- Feel free to substitute grenadine for the Pomegranate Syrup.
- If you can't find sweetened lime juice, use regular lime juice and add in some honey or simple syrup to taste.
Nutrition
So there you have it! I hope my top 10 recipes using pomegranate syrup and grenadine inspire you to get in the kitchen and get you excited for the months ahead. I’d love to hear if you have any favorite pomegranate syrup or grenadine recipes I missed. If you do, let me know about them in the comments below!
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