Grenadine and the BACARDI Cocktail

Let me ask you a question regarding two different sets of ingredients. Which of the following set of ingredients would you rather consume: 1) High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Red 40, Blue 1 or 2) 100% Pomegranate Juice and Sugar? Personally, I rather consume the product that has the least amount of chemicals (or no chemicals what so ever). Its safer, healthier and most importantly, it tastes better. Choice number one was the set of ingredients of grenadine syrup that you pick up at the supermarket or your local liquor store. Extremely sweet, overpoweringly reddish and lacking the delicious flavor of pomegranates. The second set of ingredients I gave you was a homemade version of grenadine syrup; just two simple ingredients that you can pick up on your next trip to the supermarket or convenience store.

Recipe for Homemade Grenadine

1 cup of granulated sugar

1 cup of POM 100% pomegranate juice

Procedure: Get yourself a large flask or bottle and place both, the sugar and the pomegranate juice inside. Seal the flask or bottle and get ready to shake. When I say shake, I mean shake it like you mean it! Shake until you are able to see that there is no sugar left at the bottom of the flask or bottle. Also, here are a few additions that you might want to add to your homemade grenadine: 1) After the shaking is done and you use your grenadine for the first time, you are going to notice that the red color of the syrup is a little weak. I recommend (but not required) adding between 15-25 drops of red food coloring to wake up the red inside the grenadine. 2) To preserve the grenadine for up 6-8 weeks in your refrigerator, I would add 2oz. grain alcohol (if grain alcohol isn’t available for you, vodka will work just fine).

Now you may ask yourself, way would I bother making it myself when I can just buy the finished product? Well a couple of reasons why the homemade version is best. First, you are able to control the ingredients that you use. You know that you are using 100% pomegranate juice and sugar. Freshness is always a plus. Second, you are able to control the sweetness of the syrup. You can add a little more sugar (I personally add two extra ounces to mine) to make the syrup more to your liking. And third, you are probably getting more quality for your money.

A great cocktail that you can use your very own homemade grenadine syrup is the BACARDI Cocktail, a spiced up version of the daiquiri, which can only be made with Bacardi Superior Rum. Yes, in 1936 the state of New York proclaimed that the BACARDI Cocktail could only be made with Bacardi Superior.

BACARDI Cocktail

1.5 oz. Bacardi Superior Rum

1 oz. Simple Syrup

1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

4 dashes of your homemade Grenadine Syrup

Procedure: Place all ingredients inside your shaker filled with ice. Shake until the tin part of your shaker is frosted. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

This is one of those cocktails that you can change up the measurements of your ingredients to your taste. Instead of using the simple syrup, you can substitute it for a full ounce of your homemade grenadine syrup. Also, you can change the amount of acidity to sweetness by adding or taking away .25 ounces of the lime juice. But always remember that in a BACARDI Cocktail you always use Bacardi Superior Rum. Enjoy!!!