For the most part, people add grenadine to their drinks for the color, not the taste, but it does have a sweetly tart, somewhat fruity flavor, too. The tastes of each one vary, as well, from sweet and sugary to tart and tangy and everything in between the two. So whatever you’re in the mood for, you should be able to find it here. Now, onto my picks for the best grenadine cocktails I’ve ever tried. I hope you enjoy them, too!
Tequila Sunrise Recipe and Other Tasty Grenadine Drinks
1. Tequila Sunrise
The tequila sunrise is well-known by all and well-loved by most. Its sunrise-like appearance and sweet and tangy taste make it a summer hit, especially around the pool. You’ll start with a base of tequila and add lime juice, orange juice, grenadine, half an orange and a maraschino cherry for garnishes, and a bit of seltzer water if you want to make it fizzy. Whether you’re looking for the perfect beachside cocktail or a light drink to serve at your Fourth of July BBQ, this one is a fun, flavorful choice.
2. Scofflaw Cocktail
The scofflaw cocktail is a somewhat bitter but tart drink created and made famous in Paris. It’s not as popular in the United States as some of the others on this list, but it’s an excellent drink. It has a strong citrus tang, but the bitters, dry vermouth, and whiskey contribute most to its overall flavor. If you like your drinks saccharine sweet and candy-like, this probably isn’t the one for you, but if you enjoy a good stiff drink with a slight mouth pucker factor, you’ll appreciate it. If you’re not sure if you’d like it, give it a try. It takes 3 minutes to make and uses readily available bar ingredients. You have nothing to lose.
3. Bomb Pop Cocktail
If you’re of legal drinking age, then you’ve probably seen a bomb pop at some point. They’re the firecracker-shaped popsicles that are blue on the bottom, white in the middle, and red on top. These cocktails look just like that, only in reverse. The trick to making them is pouring things carefully and in order. That’ll ensure you get the red bottom (grenadine), white middle (Mike’s Hard Lemonade), and blue top (blue raspberry vodka). The taste is tart and sugary but tasty, nonetheless. You’ll also want plenty of ice and a mini bomb pop for the garnish (in case someone doesn’t know what they are, which is unlikely). These, of course, make fantastic and festive mixed drinks for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Veteran’s Day, or any other patriotic holiday or celebration.
4. Jack Rose
Before you ask, no, this cocktail isn’t named after the main characters of Titanic. It’s much older than that and was a favorite of John Steinbeck! It gets its name from the applejack (or apple brandy) you’ll use to make it and its rosy red color, which it gets from the grenadine. You’ll also add freshly squeezed lemon juice and a lemon twist. The result is an apple-heavy, fruity drink that’s fresh, sweet, and just a touch oaky (if your apple brandy is well-aged).
5. Sunrise Mimosa
The sunrise mimosa looks like a more pastel-colored version of the tequila sunrise, but the taste is somewhat different. There’s less of an alcohol bite, for one thing. It’s also sweeter, bubblier, and fruitier. You’ll make it with equal parts Champagne and orange juice (freshly squeezed is best), a half tablespoon of grenadine, and an orange slice garnish. If you’re looking for a light, refreshing drink to enjoy with your lunch, brunch, or any other meal, these are pretty perfect. Plus, they aren’t likely to get you too tipsy, even if you have a couple.
6. Hawaiian Martini
The Hawaiian martini is another grenadine cocktail that has a sunrise-like appearance. It starts with a reddish-orange color at the bottom and gradually lightens to yellow at the top. The colors in this one aren’t as bright, though. They’re a bit more muddled, almost like a dirty martini. The drink is sweet and tropical, featuring vodka, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine. Mix all the ingredients except the grenadine and strain the mixture into the glass. Add the grenadine to get the reddish-orange hue at the bottom; then, stick an orange garnish on the side. Then, stretch out by the water with your favorite book, and enjoy the rest of your day.
7. Hawaiian Sunset
Unlike the Hawaiian martini and the other sunrise/sunset cocktails on this list, the Hawaiian sunset uses grenadine differently. Instead of leaving it until the end and creating a multi-colored drink, you’ll add it into the cocktail shaker with the orgeat, vodka, lime juice, and lemon juice. Doing so makes the whole drink one uniform color – a pale but pretty pink – with a bubbly white top. The taste is different, too. It’s much sourer, with a nutty citrus kick from the orgeat.
8. Cherry Bomb
Hello, Daddy! Hello, Mom! I’m your ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb! I think of that song every time I have this drink, and it always puts a smile on my face. This bright red/orangey treat looks great and tastes even better. It’s a rum-based cocktail to which you’ll add lime soda, grenadine, limes, lime juice, ice, and maraschino cherries. It’s super tart, super bright, and super yummy. Plus, it’s zesty and fizzy, too, and that always makes a drink more fun.
9. Cherry Cheesecake Sippers
This pretty pink drink is the ideal option if you’re in the mood for something smoother, creamier, and sweeter. It combines vanilla vodka and butterscotch liqueur, which are two bases I’d never even considered putting together! Once you try it, though, you’ll want to mix them more often. There’s also grenadine, pineapple juice, and heavy whipping cream to give it that lovely, smooth, and creamy consistency. If you’re trying to set a mood, add the confetti hearts around the rim. If not, just enjoy the drink as it is. Either way, it won’t disappoint you or anyone else who tries it.
10. Malibu Sunset
The Malibu sunset foregoes the traditional orangey-yellow of the sunrise mixed drinks on the list, opting for a red to pink to translucent fade instead. It’s incredibly tropical, featuring coconut rum, pineapple-orange juice, grenadine, and cherries, pineapples, and oranges for garnishes. It’s sweet and tangy, and if you don’t tell people there’s alcohol in it, they’ll never know it’s there. If you’re not a fan of tasting the liquor in your cocktails, this drink is the one for you. Click on a star to rate it!
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