Gin and grenadine are two ingredients that complement each other perfectly in cocktails. The juniper-forward flavor profile of gin pairs wonderfully with the sweet tartness of grenadine, made from pomegranate juice. Together these two ingredients form the base for many delicious cocktail recipes.
In this article, we will highlight 5 of the best gin and grenadine cocktail recipes to mix up and enjoy. These cocktails showcase the diverse flavors and colors that can be created by combining quality gin and homemade or high-quality store-bought grenadine.
We’ve selected these cocktails based on a number of factors:
- Popularity – These are proven gin and grenadine cocktails that show up frequently on cocktail menus and best cocktail lists.
- Ease of preparation – Most require only 3-5 ingredients and very simple mixing steps.
- Flavor balance – The recipes strike the right balance between the juniper notes of the gin and the sweet-tart grenadine.
Below is a quick preview of the 5 cocktails that we’ll cover in detail throughout this article:
| Cocktail Name | Base Spirit | Other Main Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Gin and Tonic | Gin | Tonic water, lime |
| Harvey Wallbanger | Vodka | Orange juice, Galliano liqueur |
| Sea Breeze | Vodka | Cranberry juice, Grapefruit juice |
| Singapore Sling | Gin | Cherry brandy, club soda |
| Tom Collins | Gin | Lemon juice, sugar, club soda |
The first cocktail we’ll detail is the classic Gin and Tonic. This simple highball cocktail has only 3 core ingredients – gin, tonic water, and lime. But it offers the perfect canvas to showcase quality gin. We’ll discuss tips for taking this basic drink to the next level.
Next we’ll cover the Harvey Wallbanger – a sweet and tangy vodka drink that uses both orange juice and grenadine. Floating a layer of herbal Galliano liqueur on top completes the presentation.
The Sea Breeze is a similar cocktail but subs grapefruit juice for the orange juice to add a citrusy zing. We’ll explain how the grenadine accentuates the grapefruit and cranberry flavors.
For our next recipe, we’ll detail the Singapore Sling – a gin-based cocktail with grenadine as one of several sweet ingredients including cherry brandy. This fruity drink is lengthened with a splash of club soda.
Finally, we’ll cover the Tom Collins – a classic gin fizz that uses lemon instead of lime. A dash of grenadine turns this into a pink gin fizz with beautiful color.
So whether you’re a devoted gin drinker or just enjoy spirit-forward cocktails, read on to discover 5 amazing ways to craft cocktails with gin and grenadine!
Gin and Tonic
The gin and tonic is a simple mixed drink with only 3 core ingredients: gin, tonic water, and lime. But its simplicity is deceiving – a well-made gin and tonic allows the gin’s flavor to shine.
Tonic water contains quinine, which gives it a bitter taste that complements the botanical flavors of gin. The lime adds a bright citrus note. The key is using a high-quality gin and tonic water to let their flavors properly mingle.
When making a gin and tonic, follow these tips:
- Gin – A London dry style gin with prominent juniper and citrus notes works best. Some excellent options are:
- Tanqueray
- Bombay Sapphire
- Aviation American Gin
- Hendrick’s Orbium
- Tonic water – Avoid cheap brands with lots of high fructose corn syrup. Fever Tree, Fentimans, and Q Tonic are quality options.
- Lime – Freshly squeeze lime juice to order. Use a half or full lime wedge as garnish.
- Ice – Use plenty of ice cubes. Large cubes melt slower so the drink doesn’t get watered down.
- Glassware – A tall highball glass lets you add plenty of ice. A copper mug also looks stunning.
- Ratio – Keep it simple with 1 part gin to 2 parts tonic water. Adjust to taste.
The basic build is:
- Fill a chilled highball glass with ice cubes
- Add the gin
- Top with tonic water
- Squeeze lime juice and drop in wedge
- Gently stir and serve
Some tasty tweaks to enhance the classic:
- Citrus slices – Add lemon, grapefruit, or other citrus slices.
- Herbs – Rosemary, thyme, or basil sprigs complement the botanicals.
- Cucumbers – For a refreshing twist, add cucumber slices.
- Bitters – A dash of aromatic bitters like orange or grapefruit.
- Grenadine – A splash of grenadine adds color and sweetness.
The gin and tonic is the perfect showcase for a high-quality gin. The simplicity of the recipe means each ingredient needs to be top-notch. Follow our tips to mix yourself the perfect gin and tonic every time!
Harvey Wallbanger
The Harvey Wallbanger is a classic vodka cocktail that also incorporates fresh orange juice and grenadine to create a sweet, tangy drink. It’s usually garnished with a float of herbal Galliano liqueur.
This recipe first appeared in the 1960s. Popular lore suggests it was named for a Manhattan Beach surfer named Harvey who frequented the Black Watch bar.
To make a proper Harvey Wallbanger, use:
- Vodka – A versatile neutral spirit like Absolut, Tito’s, or Stoli.
- Orange juice – Freshly squeezed is ideal, but good quality refrigerated OJ also works.
- Grenadine – Homemade or a premium brand like Small Hand Foods.
- Galliano – An Italian herbal liqueur that adds complexity.
The recipe is simple:
- Fill a highball glass with ice
- Add 1.5 oz vodka
- Top with 4-6 oz fresh orange juice
- Float .5 oz grenadine on top by pouring over an inverted spoon
- Layer .5 oz Galliano on top
Gently stir just enough to create a gradient effect. Add an orange slice or wheel for garnish.
To give the drink a visual twist, layer the grenadine and Galliano in opposite orders:
- First float Galliano for a yellow layer
- Then add grenadine for an orange layer
This cocktail highlights the versatility of grenadine in adding sweetness, tartness, and vivid color to cocktails. The gradient effect when prepared properly is stunning.
Some tips for perfecting the Harvey Wallbanger:
- Shake ingredients over ice for a chilled, frothy texture
- Use a tall narrow glass to highlight layering
- Skewer orange wheel and maraschino cherry for garnish
- Rim half the glass with sugar for contrast
- Splash club soda or ginger beer on top
The Harvey Wallbanger is sometimes confused with the Tequila Sunrise which contains similar ingredients. But the use of vodka and Galliano makes the Harvey Wallbanger a singular libation.
This cocktail is a perfect brunch drink. The orange juice provides vitamin C and the alcohol helps take the edge off. It’s a go-to classic!
Sea Breeze
The Sea Breeze is a refreshing vodka cocktail that incorporates both grapefruit juice and cranberry juice along with a dash of grenadine for sweetness.
This fruity, fizzy drink likely originated in the 1920s and became popular at beach clubs and resorts, hence the coastal name. It’s perfect for a hot summer day.
To make a Sea Breeze, gather:
- Vodka – A good quality brand like Absolut, Titos, Stoli, etc.
- Grapefruit juice – Freshly squeezed pink or red grapefruit juice is best.
- Cranberry juice – Choose 100% natural cranberry juice, not sugary “cocktail.”
- Grenadine – Adds color and balances tartness of citrus.
- Club soda – Optional bubbles create a refreshing fizz.
The Sea Breeze recipe is very simple:
- Fill a tall glass with ice
- Add 1.5 oz vodka
- Top with 3-4 oz grapefruit juice
- Top with 1-2 oz cranberry juice
- Drizzle .25-.5 oz grenadine over the top
- Top with club soda (optional)
Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge, grapefruit slice, or maraschino cherry.
Compared to the Harvey Wallbanger, the Sea Breeze lets the grapefruit take center stage, with the cranberry playing a supporting role. The grenadine adds just enough sweetness to take the edge off the tart citrus.
Some creative ways to enhance this cocktail:
- Rim half the glass with salt or sugar for contrast
- Use ruby red grapefruit juice for dramatic color
- Make a layered “sunrise” effect with the cranberry
- Add a squeeze of lime juice to brighten flavors
- Use blood orange juice instead of plain grapefruit
- Float a splash of Galliano liqueur on top
The Sea Breeze makes a perfect afternoon cocktail, with grapefruit providing vitamin C. Sip one on your next beach vacation to fully appreciate this drink!
Singapore Sling
The **Singapore Sling** is a gin-based cocktail that originated at the legendary Raffles Hotel in Singapore. It combines gin with various fruit juices and liqueurs including **cherry brandy** and **grenadine**.
This tropical drink was invented in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a Hainanese bartender at the hotel’s Long Bar. It quickly became popular with visiting dignitaries and Hollywood stars.
The original recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but here is one way to recreate it:
– **Gin** – A London dry style like Tanqueray, Beefeater, etc.
– **Cherry brandy** – Luxardo is the preferred brand.
– **Grenadine** – Adds color and a touch of sweetness.
– **Benedictine** – A French herbal liqueur.
– **Cointreau** – Orange liqueur is essential.
– **Lime juice** – A tart, fresh citrus note.
– **Club soda** – Lengthens the drink.
To make a Singapore Sling:
– Fill a tall glass with ice
– Add 1.5 oz gin
– Add .5 oz cherry brandy
– Add .25 oz grenadine
– Add .25 oz Benedictine
– Add .25 oz Cointreau
– Squeeze .75 oz fresh lime juice
– Top with 3-4 oz club soda
– Garnish with fruit and serve
The multitude of ingredients may seem daunting, but they blend harmoniously into a balanced, fruity cocktail. The club soda adds a refreshing fizz.
Some tips for perfecting this drink:
– Use “smokey” gin like Tanqueray Rangpur
– Shake with ice for a frothy texture
– Garnish with pineapple wedge & maraschino cherry
– Add a dash of Angostura bitters
– Rim half the glass with sugar
– Sub drambuie or amaretto for cherry brandy
Enjoy this classic gin drink on your next tropical getaway…or pretend you’re in Singapore! The grenadine adds just the right amount of color and sweetness.
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Tom Collins
The Tom Collins is a gin-based long drink that has been popular since the late 1800s. It’s essentially a gin fizz made with lemon juice and sugar, lengthened with club soda. Adding a splash of grenadine creates a pretty pink variation.
This cocktail was originally known as a “John Collins” and used Old Tom gin. The name evolved over the years, along with the base spirit.
To make a Tom Collins, you’ll need:
- Gin – A versatile London dry style works best.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed is ideal.
- Simple syrup – A 1:1 sugar/water mixture.
- Club soda – Adds refreshing bubbles.
- Grenadine – Splash of red for color and sweetness.
The recipe is refreshingly easy:
- Fill a tall glass with ice
- Add 1.5 oz gin
- Add 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- Add .5 oz simple syrup
- Top with club soda
- Drizzle in grenadine (optional)
- Garnish with lemon wheel
Taste and adjust sugar or lemon as desired. For a pink variation, add just a splash of grenadine.
Compared to other Collins drinks, the Tom Collins highlights the botanicals of gin with bright lemon rather than lime. The bubbly club soda makes it perfect for summer.
Some simple tweaks:
- Muddle fresh herbs like basil, mint, or thyme
- Shake with ice for a frothy top
- Rim half the glass with sugar
- Use cranberry juice instead of grenadine
- Add a dash of orange bitters
- Float a liqueur like St. Germain on top
Order a Tom Collins at a bar and you may be served the drink in the Collins glass it was named after – a tall narrow 12-16 oz tumbler. But any tall glass with ice works well.
The Tom Collins is a timeless gin cocktail. Splash in some grenadine syrup to add vibrant color and flavor.
Conclusion
We’ve covered 5 amazing cocktails that skillfully blend gin with grenadine to create a balanced, flavorful drink. These recipes prove that gin and grenadine are perfect complements in a cocktail.
The key lessons from these cocktails are:
- Gin stars – Each recipe utilizes gin as the primary spirit to provide herbal backbone. London dry style gins work best to let the botanicals shine.
- Grenadine accentuates – More than just a sweet syrup, grenadine enhances other flavors and provides vibrant color.
- Juices add dimension – Citrus juices like lime, lemon, grapefruit, and orange brighten the gin and balance the sweet grenadine.
- Mixers lengthen – Club soda, tonic, and other lengtheners let you enjoy the drink for longer.
Below is a quick recap of the 5 cocktails along with the main supporting ingredients:
| Cocktail | Supporting Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Gin and Tonic | Tonic water, Lime |
| Harvey Wallbanger | Orange juice, Galliano |
| Sea Breeze | Grapefruit juice, Cranberry juice |
| Singapore Sling | Cherry brandy, Lime juice |
| Tom Collins | Lemon juice, Club soda |
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when gin meets grenadine. Now that you know the classics, experiment with creating your own custom cocktails using these versatile ingredients.
Here are some final tips for mixing with gin and grenadine:
- Use a high-quality grenadine like Small Hand Foods
- Shake with ice for a frothy texture
- Play with different citrus juices and flavors
- Rim half the glass with sugar or salt for contrast
- Garnish with colorful fruits and herbs
So next time you’re craving a sophisticated cocktail, reach for the gin and grenadine. With balanced sweet and tart flavors, these drink recipes are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Say cheers to the perfect pairing of gin and grenadine!