Grenadine
This is grenadine as it's supposed to be. We worked with bartender Anders Erickson on a recipe that gets back to the original: real pomegranate puree blended with rose petals and buds (the traditional 1800s recipe), with a touch of brown sugar for depth. The result tastes like the cocktails of a hundred years ago when grenadine wasn't a synonym for "red food coloring in corn syrup."
Stir half an ounce into a Tequila Sunrise and you'll realize what that cocktail was supposed to taste like. Splash it into bourbon for a Jack Rose. Mix it with sparkling water and lime for a Shirley Temple kids will fight over. Add it to French 75s, Tom Collinses, or any cocktail that calls for grenadine — and notice that the drink tastes deeper and less candy-sweet than you remember.
Tasting Notes: real pomegranate, soft rose petal lift, brown sugar warmth, gentle tart finish
The Short Version: A traditional rose-and-pomegranate grenadine made in collaboration with bartender Anders Erickson — the original 1800s recipe restored to working order, with no corn syrup or red dye in sight.
Ingredients: Filtered water, organic cane sugar, brown sugar, pomegranate puree, rose petals and buds, organic pomegranate concentrate, citric acid.
Perfect For: Classic cocktail purists, Tequila Sunrise drinkers, Shirley Temple makers, history-minded mixologists, Anders Erickson fans, and anyone who's wondered why old cocktail books treat grenadine like a serious ingredient.
Best Enjoyed In: Tequila Sunrises (½ oz syrup + tequila + OJ), Jack Roses (¾ oz + applejack + lemon), Shirley Temples (½ oz + Sprite), French 75 variations, or 1 oz syrup + 6 oz sparkling water for a rose-pomegranate soda.
The Portland Syrups Promise: Ethically sourced, carefully brewed, and bottled in glass jars right here in SE Portland, Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does the syrup last after opening?
A: Our syrups are shelf-stable for 24 months unopened. Once opened, refrigerate and enjoy within 6 months.
Q: What's the difference between Grenadine and your Pomegranate Cherry Syrup?
A: Both are pomegranate-based syrups that work in classic cocktails. The difference: Grenadine is the traditional version — pomegranate and rose petals only, following the 1800s recipe that predates modern commercial grenadine. Pomegranate Cherry adds sweet cherry puree on top of the pomegranate for a deeper, jammier, Pacific Northwest spin. If you want a true historical grenadine for classic cocktails, choose Grenadine. If you want more cherry richness and depth, choose Pomegranate Cherry.
Q: What is real grenadine made of?
A: Traditionally, grenadine was pomegranate juice or puree mixed with sugar and a hint of orange flower water or rose — that's it. The "grenadine" you find on most grocery store shelves (Rose's being the most famous) is actually corn syrup, citric acid, artificial flavoring, and red dye — no pomegranate in sight. Our Grenadine sticks to the original formula: real pomegranate, real rose, real cane sugar. The result tastes deeper, less candy-sweet, and noticeably more complex than what you remember from a bottled mixer.