It's understandable if grenadine makes you think of a Shirley Temple or Roy Rogers, when in fact there's a world of adult cocktails that use grenadine as an ingredient. There's an abundance of mixed drinks with grenadine that go beyond fizzy soda drinks or sweet martinis.
Classic Cocktails With Grenadine
Grenadine may not be the first ingredient that comes to mind when you think of classic cocktails, but without it, these wouldn't be as renowned.
The Hurricane
Served in a tall glass that resembles the globe on a hurricane lamp, this cocktail has four different kinds of liquor that create a hard-hitting drink with barely a taste of any of them. Since the flavor is so mild, its intoxicating effects can sneak up, so exercise caution.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce amaretto
- ½ ounce coconut rum
- ½ ounce dark rum
- ½ ounce light rum
- 2 ounces grapefruit juice
- ¼ ounce grenadine
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- Ice
- Pineapple chunk and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, amaretto, rums, juices, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into hurricane or highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with pineapple chunk and cherry.
Cherry Cheesecake Martini
This martini is perfect for an after-dinner drink or when you just don't want to put in the effort of making a real cheesecake.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla liqueur
- ¾ ounce whipped cream vodka
- ½ ounce cherry juice
- 1 ounce grenadine
- ½ ounce heavy cream
- Ice
- Lemon wheel and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla liqueur, whipped cream vodka, cherry juice, grenadine, and heavy cream.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon wheel and cherry.
Chocolate Cherry Bomb
If you close your eyes when you take the first sip, and you'll think it's a chocolate-covered cherry.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce white crème de cacao
- ¾ ounce cream
- ¾ ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini or cocktail glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white crème de cacao, cream, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with cherry.
Mango Sour Candy Apple
This grenadine cocktail has all the best qualities of a delicious sour candy.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces mango rum
- 3 ounces sour apple schnapps
- 2 ounces apple vodka
- 1 ounce grenadine
- ¼ ounce lime juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mango rum, sour apple schnapps, apple vodka, grenadine, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
Pirate's Eye Drink Recipe
This drink may have an unusual approach, but its visual appeal is what sets it apart.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- 1 ounce grenadine
- 3 ounces orange juice
- ¾ ounce cream
- Ice
- Orange wedge and grenadine for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, orange liqueur, grenadine, orange juice, and cream.
- Strain into highball or hurricane glass over fresh ice.
- Swirl additional grenadine around the inside of the top of the glass so it runs down to the bottom, creating a bloodshot look.
- Garnish with orange wedge.
Original Cocktails With Grenadine
Don't be hesitant to give grenadine cocktails a try, it lends its color to make a beautiful cocktail and balances the sour and savory flavors just right.
The Badger
This cocktail packs a ton of great fruity flavors with the smoothness of vanilla.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces raspberry vodka
- 1 ounce vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 ounce grenadine
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add raspberry vodka, vanilla vodka, cranberry juice, grenadine, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with cherry.
Grape Kool-Aid Cocktail
Not only does this purple drink get lots of attention for good reason, but it tastes almost exactly like its namesake.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce blue curaçao
- 1 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces white grape juice
- 1 ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, blue curaçao, vodka, white grape juice, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Cherry Amaretto Fizz
This fizzy cocktail is loaded with a nutty cherry flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 1 ounce cherry liqueur
- 1 ounce grenadine
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice and crushed ice
- Lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, amaretto, cherry liqueur, grenadine, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over crushed ice.
- Garnish with lemon wedge.
Cherry Summer Fizz
This fizz could be a grown-up version of the Shirley Temple.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces coconut rum
- 1 ounce cherry juice
- ¾ ounce grenadine
- Lemon-lime soda to top off
- Ice
- Lime wheel and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, coconut rum, cherry juice, and grenadine.
- Slowly top off with lemon-lime soda, careful not to mix too much.
- Garnish with lime wheel and cherry.
Coconut Club
Similar to the Clover Club, this cocktail relies on coconut rum to bring the flavor as the base spirit.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- ½ ounce raspberry liqueur
- ¾ ounce grenadine
- 1 egg white
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add coconut rum, raspberry liqueur, grenadine, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
More Uses for Grenadine
Since a little grenadine goes a long way, try using leftovers in your recipes. Although it is commonly associated with drinks, grenadine can be used to flavor and color icings for cakes and cupcakes, as a ham glaze ingredient or to soak fruitcakes for added flavor.
The Mix
Grenadine is so much more than just Singapore slings and tequila sunrises. It's a crucial part of many classic cocktails as well as any variations you craft as you shake up cocktails. Whether you're looking for a little sweetness or a pop of red, mixed drinks with grenadine are sure to please.
