Grenadine is a bottled sticky syrup that attempts to mimic the taste of pomegranates without actually having pomegranates in it. (Another modern-day scientific miracle that's about as natural as a maraschino cherry.)

Grenadine is usually found in sweet cocktails, such as the Mai Tai, and is more at home in Tiki bars. Some people actually pour it over ice cream or crushed ice. As far as we're concerned, anything that goes well in a Sno-Cone should be used in moderation with cocktails.

Don't pay a premium for this syrup. It's not an exotic addition to your bar, rather a fail-safe for guests who lean toward overly sweet, if not immature, cocktails.

A note from the Alchemist: We're currently searching for a Middle Eastern product that is said to be made from real pomegranate juice and citric acids. If our hunch is correct, this syrup would be a great substitute for grenadine.