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Syrups

Grenadine

  • Syrup / Sweetener
  • 0% ABV
  • 127 drinks

Is this for me?

Choose this if…

  • ✓You want to add sweetness and flavour depth to a drink.

Skip if…

  • ✗You prefer dry, unsweetened cocktails.

At a Glance

38 kcalCalories
0%ABV
9.4gSugar
9.4gCarbs
Syrup / SweetenerType
127Recipes

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

What is Grenadine?

Grenadine is a red cocktail syrup used for colour, sweetness and berry-pomegranate style fruit notes. It appears in tropical drinks, sours, non-alcoholic drinks, layered cocktails and classic pink or red mixed drinks.

What does Grenadine taste like?

Sweet, fruity and bright red, with pomegranate, berry or cherry-like notes depending on the syrup. Grenadine pairs well with citrus, rum, gin, tequila, brandy, orange juice, pineapple and soda.

Grenadine profile

Mixability: HighIntensity: LightSweetBeginner-friendly: High

Best used for: sours, refreshing drinks, tropical drinks, balancing citrus cocktails

  • Appears in 127+ recipes
  • Works in both cocktails and mocktails
  • Has 3 common substitutes

Ways to use grenadine

Cocktails (117)Mocktails (7)Shots (2)Punches (1)

Grenadine is a red cocktail syrup used for colour, sweetness and berry-pomegranate style fruit notes. It appears in tropical drinks, sours, non-alcoholic drinks, layered cocktails and classic pink or red mixed drinks.

Flavour profile

Aromatic · mediumSweet · medium

Recipes using this

Observed quantities

Observed in single-serve recipes: middle half 15.00–59.15 ml; median 29.57 ml.

In the measured recipes in this dataset — from 118 observed uses.

Scoped nutrition

Calories (per 100 ml)
250
Sugar (per 100 ml)
62.5 g
Carbs (per 100 ml)
62.5 g

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

Diet compatibility

  • Autoimmune Protocol DietLimited
  • Colonoscopy DietLimited
  • Gluten-FreeCompatible
  • IIFYM DietCompatible
  • KetoNot compatible
  • Low FODMAP DietLimited
  • Low-CarbNot compatible
  • Low-SugarNot compatible
  • Pescatarian DietCompatible
  • Sirtfood DietCompatible
  • VeganCompatible
  • VegetarianCompatible

Based on the listed ingredient only — a public recipe facet, not medical, allergy or coeliac advice. Specific brands and preparation can change compatibility.

Reviewed substitutes

  • Fresh GrenadineVery similar red-fruit syrup profile.
  • Pomegranate SyrupMore pomegranate-forward red fruit.

Reviewed ingredient substitution guidance. Results can vary by brand, quantity and preparation. These substitutions have not been tested in every individual recipe.

Commonly observed with

Lemon JuiceEgg WhiteGinPineapple JuiceLight RumOrange JuiceMaraschino CherryOrange

Observed co-use in the reviewed recipe corpus — not a universal pairing recommendation.

Trust & methodology

Canonical ingredient/component authority assembled from reviewed identity, recipe, flavour, nutrition, diet and substitution evidence. Observed quantities and co-use patterns are descriptive, not prescriptions or universal recommendations.

Evidence last updated: 2026-07-16T02:53:30.320595+00:00

About this drink

Grenadine historically points to pomegranate syrup, although many commercial versions became more generic red fruit syrups. It matters for cocktails and mocktails because it adds color, sweetness and fruit character in drinks like the Jack Rose and Shirley Temple family.

Similar styles

Use grenadine for red fruit sweetness

Grenadine adds color, sweetness and a pomegranate-like fruit impression. Use it carefully because too much can overpower citrus, spirits and lighter mixers.

Substitutes

How to swap Grenadine

When replacing Grenadine, match sweetness and texture. A thicker or flavored sweetener may need a smaller measure so the drink does not become heavy.

Skip if

Do not choose Grenadine when...

Do not choose Grenadine as the first fix for a harsh drink. Extra sweetness can cover imbalance instead of solving it; adjust citrus, dilution or bitters first.

Drink counts and recipe data are based on published WhatDrink recipes. Figures may vary as new recipes are added.

Grenadine — common questions

How many cocktails are made with Grenadine?
There are 127 cocktail recipes featuring Grenadine in the WhatDrink database.
What are the most popular cocktails made with Grenadine?
Top-ranked cocktails made with Grenadine include Grenadine Rickey, A Day at the Beach, A1. Rankings are based on recipe quality and data completeness.
What is the ABV of Grenadine?
Grenadine has an ABV of approximately 0%. The exact strength varies by brand and expression.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Intensity (light to bold), Sweetness (dry to sweet), Mixability (how versatile it is in cocktails) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare Grenadine with similar ingredients at a glance.
How do I use the Grenadine sensory profile to find drinks I like?
If you enjoy the intensity and flavour profile of Grenadine, look for other ingredients or cocktails with a similar profile. Compare Intensity, Sweetness and Mixability to find substitutes or discover new cocktails in the same flavour family.