Grenadine with rum is a combination found in many Caribbean cocktails. However, grenadine syrup, unlike rum, does not originate from the Caribbean islands. Even so, rum-based cocktails are paired with grenadine more than any other spirit.
About Grenadine Syrup
Grenadine syrup has been used to flavor drinks and culinary recipes since biblical times. The term "grenadine" stems from the French word "grenade," meaning pomegranate. Freshly made pomegranate syrup was traditionally made with pomegranates and honey. Occasionally, red currents were also added to the classic syrup.
These days, bartenders often use artificial grenadine syrup made with food coloring and flavor additives to flavor cocktails.
Classic Grenadine with Rum Recipes
Grenadine syrup, with its sweet flavor, complements most rum drinks, from light to dark rum as well as flavored rum cocktails, such as rum punches and spiced rum drinks.
Planter's Punch
The origins of Planter's Punch are unknown, but this classic rum punch with pineapple and orange juice has been a popular drink for a long time.
- 3 ounces dark rum
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce grenadine
- 1 dash bitters
- Club soda
Combine the juices, rum and bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain the mix into a chilled Collins glass. Top it off with grenadine and club soda. Garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry and a citrus twist.
Trinidad Rum Punch
If Planter's Punch is too sweet for your palate, Trinidad Rum Punch might be what you are looking for.
- 1 1/2 ounces dark rum
- 1 1/2 ounces lemon or lime juice
- Fresh water or club soda (optional)
- Splash of grenadine
- 2 dashes bitters
Pour the ingredients into a chilled Collins glass over ice. Top it off with grenadine and bitters and stir. Garnish the drink with a lemon twist and grated nutmeg.
Bahama Mama
The Bahama Mama is similar to the classic Planter's Punch, but it has a tantalizing twist of coconut.
- 1 1/2 ounces rum
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce grenadine syrup
- 1 dash bitters
Combine the rum, juice and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake the ingredients and strain them into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top it off with grenadine and garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange twist.
Bahama Breeze
The Bahama Breeze is a cocktail ladened with tempting ingredients reminiscent of the Islands.
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 1/2 ounce banana liqueur
- 1/2 ounce apricot liqueur
- 1/2 ounce coconut rum
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
Combine the ingredients in a blender with ice cubes and blend until smooth. Pour the blended drink over ice cubes in a chilled highball glass. Garnish the cocktail with an orange twist and maraschino cherry.
Beachcomber
The Beachcomber is reminiscent of sun-drenched days spent on the beach. This cocktail offers an interesting combination of flavors for the palate.
- 1 3/4 ounces light rum
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau®
- 1/2 teaspoon maraschino liqueur (optional)
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1/4 ounce grenadine
Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake and strain the contents into a chilled cocktail glass garnished with rim sugar. Add grenadine and garnish with a lime twist.
Hurricane
The Hurricane is a New Orleans creation from the heart of the French Quarter. This rum drink is popularly served in hurricane glasses or in tall, irregular-shaped cocktail glasses.
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 2 ounces light rum
- 2 ounces passion fruit syrup or juice
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce grenadine
In a cocktail shaker, add the juice, rum and syrups to crushed ice. Shake the contents for one minute and strain into a chilled highball glass, hurricane glass or other tall lamp glass. Garnish the cocktail with fruit, citrus twists and maraschino cherries.
Quality Counts
To appreciate your cocktails to the fullest extent, select high quality brands of rum and grenadine made with fresh pomegranates and no artificial colors or additives.
