Does Grenadine Go Bad? (And How Long Does It Last)


Does Grenadine Go Bad

Grenadine is a non-alcoholic syrup used in cocktails for its sweet and tart flavor, as well as its vibrant red color. Grenadine originally was made from real pomegranate juice and sugar. Today, you will find a lot of grenadines made from artificial ingredients and flavors such as high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavor, and red food dye. Grenadine is a great mixer for both cocktails and mocktails such as the Jack Rose, Tequila Sunrise, as well as the childhood favorite Shirley Temple. Because of the sugar content in grenadine, they typically last a long time. But if you’re like most people who buy a cocktail mixer, make a few drinks, and store away the rest, you may be asking yourself, “does grenadine go bad?”

Grenadine is well preserved with sugar so it’s unlikely to go bad. However, grenadine’s shelf life will depend on its ingredients. Grenadine made from artificial ingredients will last longer than grenadine made from real fruit juice. Unopened grenadine should last 2-3 years in the pantry. Opened grenadine should last 4-6 months in the refrigerator and 2 months in the pantry.  

If you want to learn whether grenadine goes bad and about its proper storage, keep reading to find out. We will also review some alternatives to grenadine in case you want to try something new next time you’re in the mood for a drink. Cheers to that!

Does Grenadine Go Bad Over Time?

Depending on the ingredients in your grenadine, it may lose quality sooner if it is made from natural ingredients instead of artificial ones. Because grenadine has high sugar content, it will keep for a long time. If unopened and stored properly in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a pantry, it will maintain best quality about 2-3 years. If opened, it will maintain best quality for about 4-6 months in the refrigerator and about 2 months in the pantry.

Grenadine typically has a best-by date, not an expiration date. That means it will still be safe to consume beyond the time frames listed above if it is stored properly and there are no signs of spoilage. The best-by date is an estimate provided by the manufacturer on the time it will maintain best flavor and quality.

Does Grenadine Need To Be Refrigerated?

If unopened, grenadine does not need to be refrigerated. It just needs to be kept in a cool, dark, and dry place. If opened, it is best to refrigerate grenadine to maintain best quality for a longer time. It will keep at best quality in the refrigerator about 4-6 months.

How Can You Tell If Grenadine Has Gone Bad?

When checking if grenadine is bad, start with odor and appearance, followed by taste. If it smells and looks fine, it will be safe to taste. If stored properly and does not smell or look spoiled, old grenadine will not taste the same. It might make your drinks taste mild, bland, and not very flavorful. If you experience this, it will not harm you but you might want to throw it away for lack of quality taste. However, if you do see any changes in odor or appearance, throw it away.

How To Properly Store Grenadine

How to Store Unopened Grenadine:

  1. Check to make sure the original seal is still secure.
  2. Place it in a cool, dark, and dry place such as a pantry or kitchen cabinet.
  3. Keep it away from heat and direct sunlight.
  4. Stored properly, it will maintain best quality 2-3 years.

How to Store Opened Grenadine:

  1. Check to make sure the cap is closed tightly.
  2. Place it in the refrigerator.
  3. Stored properly, it will maintain best quality 4-6 months.
  4. If opened and kept in pantry, it will maintain best quality about 2 months.

Does Grenadine Go Bad After Opening?

Because grenadine has a high amount of, it will keep for a long time. If unopened and stored properly in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a pantry, it will maintain best quality about 2-3 years. If opened, it will maintain best quality about 4-6 months in the refrigerator and about 2 months in the pantry.

It will still be safe to consume beyond these time frames if it was stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage. Keep in mind that it just might not taste the same as it did when the bottle was first opened.

Can You Get Sick From Drinking Old Grenadine?

If opened or unopened and stored properly, old grenadine should not make you sick. If you do see any signs of spoilage such as a different odor or changes in appearance, throw it away. You may even want to throw it away for lack of quality flavor as it might make your drinks taste bland.

How Long Does Homemade Grenadine Last?

Homemade grenadine is usually made with real pomegranate juice, sugar, orange flower water, pomegranate molasses, and vodka (optional to prolong shelf life). It contains no added artificial preservatives so should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator at all times. It will last 1-3 months.

Is Grenadine Good For You?

There are different types of grenadine. There are the more natural ones that are made with real pomegranate juice and sugar, and then there are the artificial ones that are made with high fructose corn syrup, citric acid and red food dye. Those are a far cry from pomegranate syrup as it was intended.

Both types of grenadine contain high amounts of sugar. Nevertheless, real pomegranates are packed with nutrients and have been shown to provide numerous health benefits such as antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

So if you look beyond the sugar content in both natural and artificial grenadines, the natural grenadines made with real pomegranate juice are a winner and would definitely be considered good for you. Not so much with the artificial varieties.

Alternatives To Grenadine

Liber & Co. Real Grenadine

Liber & Co. Real Grenadine (17oz)

Made from California pomegranates, pure cane sugar, and orange flower water, Liber & Co. Real Grenadine is a more natural alternative to the typical grenadine you would find in stores. It is made with 65% juice from cold-pressed pomegranates, has a rich and balanced sweet and sour flavor, and beautiful deep red color. Real grenadine, as they should all be.

BG Reynolds Lush Grenadine

BG Reynolds Natural Tiki Cocktail Cane Syrup, Lush Grenadine, 375 ml, Packaging May Vary Made with all natural ingredients, BG Reynolds Lush Grenadine is another healthy and tasty option for grenadine. This grenadine is made with real pomegranates paired with tropical hibiscus aromatics and sugar. That’s it! It is simple yet full of flavor.

Just Date Syrup Organic Pomegranate Molasses

Just Pomegranate Syrup : Organic Pomegranate Molasses | One 8.8 OZ Squeeze Bottle I Low-Glycemic, Vegan, Paleo Not your typical syrup, Just Date Syrup Organic Pomegranate Molasses can go in cocktails, salad dressings, marinades, braises, and even on toast. It is packed with flavor and nutrients such as potassium and antioxidants. It contains only 2 ingredients – organic pomegranates and medjool dates making a perfectly sweet and tart syrup. It is also organic, gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, and non-GMO.

SweetLeaf Monk Fruit Organic Sweetener – Strawberry Guava

SweetLeaf Organic Monk Fruit Liquid, Water Enhancer, Strawberry Guava, 1.7 Ounce Sweetened by nature, SweetLeaf Monk Fruit Organic Sweetener in Strawberry Guava flavor is a great-tasting alternative to grenadine. It has no calories, no sugar, no carbohydrates, and no artificial ingredients. It is made with 4 simple ingredients and is an easily dissolvable sweetener that goes well in water, yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, and of course in your cocktails.

Cherry Republic Cherry Syrup

Made with Michigan cherries and no corn syrup, Cherry Republic Cherry Syrup is a delicious addition in not only drinks but also on pancakes, waffles, and French toast. It has a sweet and tart flavor just like grenadine, but with a unique cherry flavor.

Green Jay Gourmet Raspberry Syrup - 3 Ingredient Premium Breakfast Syrup with Fresh Raspberries, Cane Sugar & Lemon Juice - All-Natural, Non-GMO Pancake Syrup, Waffle Syrup & Dessert Syrup - 8 OuncesGreen Jay Gourmet Raspberry Syrup

Green Jay Gourmet Raspberry Syrup is another fruity and flavorful alternative to grenadine. It is made with just 3 simple ingredients of raspberries, cane sugar, and lemon juice. Add this all-natural and non-GMO syrup to drinks, stir it in yogurt, or drizzle on pancakes and ice cream. The possibilities are endless with this versatile syrup.

Related Questions

Does Grenadine contain alcohol?

No, grenadine does not contain alcohol. It is a non-alcoholic syrup used in cocktails for its sweet and tart flavor, as well as its vibrant red color.

Does grenadine have red dye?

Yes, many grenadine varieties in stores use artificial red dye in grenadine. The popular brands Rose’s and Torani for example, both use Red 40 in their grenadines. To avoid this color additive, look for real grenadine that is made from real pomegranates, as it will typically not require the use of red food dye and always read the labels. Unfortunately, most grenadines in stores are not even made from pomegranates, but from artificially flavored corn syrup and food dye. 

Is grenadine vegan-friendly?

Yes, grenadine is vegan-friendly as it is classically made from pomegranate juice mixed with sugar. Many commercially produced brands are also vegan, such as Rose’s, which is made with high fructose corn syrup, water, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium benzoate (preservative), Red 40, natural and artificial flavors, Blue 1.

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Choosing Nutrition Team

Here at Choosing Nutrition, our goal is to help people with making smarter food choices. Whether you're wondering about vegan, keto, paleo, or other diets, we'll help you determine which options fit your nutritional lifestyle. Our staff is composed of registered dieticians, nutritionists, and health-conscious individuals.

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