Easy Pomegranate Simple Syrup Recipe

Pomegranate simple syrup is so simple to make. Made with only two ingredients, this syrup is the perfect tangy and sweet drizzle for pancakes, waffles, and ice cream. Add to cocktails, mocktails, and carbonated water for a delicious tangy and fruity flavor.

Pomegranate simple syrup is slightly different than pomegranate syrup, or pomegranate molasses, which are made with less sugar, as well as other ingredients, such as lemon juice. These syrups are used for more savoury dishes, while the simple syrup is used for sweeter culinary applications.

Pomegranate molasses is a reduced version of pomegranate syrup.

This simple pomegranate syrup recipe has a sweeter flavor, due to a higher sugar content, and has different uses as well.

As with other simple syrups, pomegranate simple syrup is made with equal amounts of sugar and pomegranate juice. The great thing about this recipe is that it is very flexible and easy to convert, depending on the amount of juice that you have available.

The flavor of the syrup is tangy, yet sweet at the same time.

Pomegranate has a citrus-like flavor, although the fruit is not part of the citrus family. Pomegranates have a significantly lower citric acid content than citrus fruit.

This syrup can be made with either fresh or store bought pomegranate juice. Depending on where you live, the pomegranate fruit may be more readily available in some locations than in others.

We usually find pomegranates in abundance in the grocery stores at Christmas time. Purchasing bottled juice is an easier option for us at other times of the year.

Using Fresh Or Bottled Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranite simple syrup can be made with fresh or bottled pomegranate juice.

If making your own juice, the amount of juice yielded will depend on the amount of pomegranates that you have on hand for juicing, and the size of the fruit. One medium to large sized pomegranate will yield approximately ½ cup of juice.

Bottled pomegranate juice is usually available in larger amounts. The bottle I usually buy is 946 mls or 31.9 fluid ounces.

If purchasing bottled juice, make sure that you purchase 100% pure juice with no sugar added.

Bottled pomegranate juice is usually made from concentrated juice, and often darker in color than freshly made juice.

How To Juice A Pomegranate For Simple Syrup

Not being a regular pomegranate juicer, I often wondered how to juice the fruit effectively without losing half of the juice to the environment.

I learned a rather nifty and simple way to juice a pomegranate by hand from Mother Would Know.

To obtain enough pomegranate juice for 1 cup, you will need 2 medium to large pomegranates. However this recipe is very flexible, and if you only have one piece of fruit, just reduce the amount of sugar, depending on the amount of juice obtained with this juicing process.

To Juice A Pomegranate:

• Be aware that pomegranite juice can stain, so dress accordingly.

• Wash and dry the whole pomegranates well, before juicing.

• Roll each pomegranate on a hard surface, breaking the pomegranate arils inside, and releasing the juices inside the fruit.

• You will feel the snapping of the arils as you press and roll the pomegranate, indicating that they are bursting inside the fruit.

• Be gentle with the rolling process, as sometimes with lots of forceful rolling the pomegranate can open up with the extra pressure, and suddenly squirt juice everywhere.

• When you no longer feel the cracking of the arils, it's time to gently place some holes in the fruit, to drain the juice from inside the fruit into a bowl.

Draining The Juice

• Puncture the pomegranate with a fork, creating holes. Hold the pomegranate with the holes in a downwards direction over a medium bowl.

• Squeeze the fruit into a deep bowl or large measuring cup, allowing the juice to flow from the holes on the pomegranate.

• Make sure to hold the fruit inside the bowl, so that the juice does not squirt everywhere during this process.

• If the pomegranate tears, and spills some seeds into the collected juice, strain the juice with a fine mesh sieve when the juicing process is complete.

• Repeat the process with each pomegranate until you have the right amount of juice to meet your needs.

• Before disposing of the squeezed pomegranate skin, open the pomegranates up to check for any unbroken pomegranate seeds or arils, which can be eaten, or used to decorate your drinks or any other creations which you plan to make.

How To Make Pomegranate Simple Syrup

Tools You May Need:

• medium saucepan

• measuring cup

• spoon for stirring

• fork for juicing

• sterilized glass container for the syrup

Ingredients:

• pure pomegranate juice, fresh or bottled-1 cup

• white granulated sugar- 1 cup

Directions

• If you are making the pomegranate simple syrup from store-bought pomegranate juice, it makes the process a bit easier, as there is no need to juice pomegranates. If however you plan to use fresh pomegranate juice, you will need to first remove the fresh juice from the pomegranates.

• You will usually get approximately ½ cup of juice from a medium sized pomegranate.

• Measure out your juice and sugar. This recipe calls for 1 cup of juice and 1 cup of sugar, however if you have only yielded ½ cup from your pomegranate, then use ½ cup of sugar. If you have yielded more juice, use more sugar.

• The simple syrup process is very flexible with amounts, as long as the balance of juice to sugar is 1:1.

• Combine pomegranate juice and sugar together in a medium sized pot.

• Place the sugar mixture on medium heat, and continue to stir as the sugar dissolves.

• Once the mixture starts to bubble, continue to simmer on medium heat for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.

• Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool.

• Once cool, pour into a heat resistant glass jar for storage.

• The syrup may seem runny when first removed from the heat, however will be the right consistency once it cools down. The simple syrup will have the consistency of thick syrup once it cools, especially if stored in the fridge.

Storage

• Pomegranate simple syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to 6 months in airtight containers.

• Use of a water bath canner and boiling for 10 minutes will increase the storage life of the syrup. Using this process, the syrup can be stored for up to 8 to 12 months.

• Always make sure to label the jars, noting the date of storage.

• Another great way to store any simple syrup is to freeze the syrup in ice cube trays. Freezing will increase storage time.

• Place the syrup into ice cube trays and freeze. Pop out an ice cube and thaw to room temperature whenever you need some simple syrup.

• You can also place the cubes into a freezer bag, and store for up to a year. Make sure to label the bag with the storage date.

Substitutions

You can use different types of sugars for this recipe, however they may change the flavor of your syrup, depending on the sugar used.

Fresh pomegranate juice can be substituted for bottled juice, depending on availability and ease of use.

There are many popular pomegranate juices available in the grocery stores, including the popular brand pom wonderful. Just make sure to use real pomegranite juice.

The flavor is the same for pomegranate simple syrup made with either fresh or bottled juice, however the color may be different. Fresh juice makes a deeper purple rose syrup, while bottled juice makes a dark golden amber colored syrup.

Is Grenadine The Same As Pomegranate Simple Syrup?

Pomegranate simple syrup can be used as a grenadine substitute, or alternately, as an ingredient used for making homemade grenadine, depending on your diy grenadine recipe.

Grenadine is a bar syrup, traditionally made with pomegranate juice. This product got it's name from grenade, the French word for pomegranate.

The ingredients in store bought grenadine syrup are not the same as in pomegranate simple syrup. These days grenadine often does not even include pomegranate as an ingredient.

Grenadine is used to flavor and add a beautiful color to many cocktail beverages, such as Shirley Temple, Roy Rogers, or Tequila Sunrise cocktails.

Many people shy away from store bought grenadine, due to some of it's ingredients, including high fructose corn syrup, artificial dye, and lack of pomegranate juice. A homemade alternative is a more natural choice.

Pomegranate simple syrup can be used as a substitute for grenadine syrup, depending on your homemade recipe. Some homemade grenadine recipes contain higher sugar amounts, and some contain less sugar, than this simple pomegranate syrup's 1:1 ratio.

Some homemade grenadine recipes also include other ingredients, such as lemon juice, rose water, orange peels, and pomegranate molasses, to name just a few.

Regardless of the ingredients, a homemade grenadine is likely a healthier version of this popular bar syrup.

Pomegranate Simple Syrup Uses

Pomegranate simple syrup has both culinary use, as well as multiple drink applications.

Add the deep maroon colored syrup to your favorite cocktails or mocktails for a fresh and fruity taste.

The syrup can be also be added to carbonated beverages, including carbonated water and club soda, for a refreshing and instant pomegranate soda. The pomegranate syrup will turn the drink a bright pink color.

Add to iced tea, or to lemonade for a pink blush.

Use this simple syrup as you would any other sweet syrup, such as maple syrup, drizzled over pancakes, french toast, and waffles.

Add as a sweet and colorful topping to your favorite vanilla ice cream or yogurt.

Add to salad dressings for a sweet tangy flavor.

Wherever you use this homemade pomegranate syrup, consider using some fresh arils as a finishing touch, to top off your creations.

Finally, don't forget the great gift giving opportunity of this homemade product. Put into a beautiful jar, and give as a homemade gift, to someone special.

Pomegranate Simple Syrup Recipe Card

Other Simple Syrup And Syrup Recipes

Lilac Simple Syrup

Rose Hip Syrup

Apple Cider Syrup

Conclusion

Pomegranates are some of nature's most perfect antioxidants. Why not preserve some, in the form of a simple syrup.

Pomegranate simple syrup is easy to make.

Whip it up in just a few minutes, and you will be able to use it immediately.

The syrup will thicken as it cools down, especially after it has been placed in the fridge for storage.

This pomegranate syrup has multiple culinary and drink applications, and tastes delicious with it's tart and fruity flavor. Use it in your favorite cocktails and mocktails, such as Shirley Temples and others.

Be creative, and enjoy this delicious homemade simple syrup.

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