grenadine syrup
Description
Grenadine is traditionally a red syrup. It is used as an ingredient in cocktails, both for its flavor and to give a reddish/pink tinge to mixed drinks. "Grenadines" are also made by mixing the syrup with cold water in a glass or pitcher, sometimes with ice. The name "grenadine" comes from the French word grenade meaning pomegranate, as grenadine was originally prepared from pomegranate juice or cherry juice, and sugar. However, "grenadine" is also a common name applied to syrups and beverages consisting of other fruit juices (eg raspberry, black berry, red currant) and sugar syrup. Grenadine can be created by simmering pomegranate juice for 15 minutes on the stove, then adding superfine sugar. Grenadine can also be quickly prepared "cold" by adding superfine sugar to cold pomegranate juice, then shaking vigorously for a few minutes.
How to select
Grenadine needs to have good flavour just like any other ingredient in a quality cocktail.The bottle and cans should be checked for expiry date and any signs of spoilage, bubbling, leakage or rusting ( in case of metallic cans).
Culinary Uses
· Even though flavour is a consideration, the primary role of grenadine is as a sweetener and colorant for cocktails
· Grenadine syrup is commonly used to mix "cherry" Coca-Colas (also called Grenadinis or Roy Rogers cocktails), pink lemonade, Shirley Temple cocktails, Tequila Sunrises, Cherry Bombs (Bailey's, Kahlua and Grenadine) and flavor-soaked cherries, making them bright red.
· These are in turn often used in fruitcakes.
· It can also be added to a Mimosa to give it a red and orange color. Grenadine can also be combined with beer, forming what has been coined "grena-beer" or more recently "Christmas beer". In North America a combination of beer and grenadine is commonly known as a 'Queen Mary.
How to store
Store grenadine syrup in coloured bottles, kept in cool and dark place.
Health benefits
· Grenadine syrups are dense in calories and sugar.
· It is a good way to color your cocktails naturally instead of using artificial colors.
· It does not have any fats, proteins, vitamins or minerals. All the calories are due to the sugars.
· They are excellent source of energy
· They are low in fat and sodium content.