Are you a tequila sunrise lover? Us too!
That’s why we always have these three things at home: tequila (duh), orange juice, and grenadine syrup.
While we love the mix of these three ingredients, we want to be honest with you. We’re having some problems handling grenadine syrup.
Since it’s a mix of pomegranate syrup, lemon juice, and orange flower water, there’s no denying that it tastes fantastic.
But there’s a catch: we don’t use it often (except just for cocktails), so it usually ends up gathering dust at the back of our pantry.
That’s why we often find ourselves asking this question: does grenadine go bad?
Do you feel us? We know you do! Luckily, we already know the answer.
Quick answer: Yes, Grenadine can go bad, but it has a long shelf life when stored properly.
Are you curious if how long does grenadine last and how do you extend its shelf life? If yes, continue reading?
In this article, we’ll also share with you the answers to the following questions:
- How long does grenadine last?
- What are the signs that grenadine has gone bad?
- How to store grenadine?
- And other frequently asked questions about this syrup!
If you’re ready to discover the answers, let’s get this party started!
Does Grenadine Go Bad?
Yes, grenadine can go bad.
But here’s some good news: Grenadine has a long shelf life due to the high amounts of sugar.
Additionally, most commercially produced grenadine syrup in the market contains a high amount of preservatives, so that you can use them for quite a while.
That’s why you can make the most out of your grenadine syrup as long as you store it properly.
How Long Does Grenadine Last?
With that said, what is the shelf life of grenadine? This would depend on what type of grenadine syrup you have—homemade or commercial.
Homemade Grenadine
Let’s start with the homemade grenadine, which has a shorter shelf life since it’s made of fresh pomegranate juice and doesn’t contain artificial preservatives. The shelf life of homemade grenadine is around 3 weeks to a month when stored in the refrigerator.
Commercial Grenadine
On the other hand, commercial grenadine syrup lasts longer. Most grenadine syrups in the market don’t have real fruit juices and are manufactured with high fructose corn syrup and citric acid, both artificial preservatives.
The first thing you should do when determining the syrup’s shelf life is check out the printed date.
News Flash: The printed date on the syrup is not an expiration date. It’s a best before or best by date, which indicates when you can expect the syrup to retain its peak quality.
Past the best before date, the syrup is still safe for consumption but may no longer have the same quality and taste that it has before.
How long does grenadine last will depend on how it’s stored and if it has been opened or unopened. To help you determine the shelf life of your store-bought grenadine, here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
- Unopened bottle of Grenadine: Best before date + 1 year (pantry)
- Opened bottle of Grenadine: 4 to 6 months (refrigerated); 6 to 8 months (frozen)
What are the Signs that Grenadine Has Gone Bad?
Even though grenadine has a high sugar content, it’s not entirely resistant to spoilage. This is especially true if it hasn’t been stored properly.
If the grenadine has been in the pantry, freezer, or refrigerator for quite a while, it’s a must that you inspect it closely for any signs of bad grenadine. Here are the telltale signs of bad grenadine that you should look out for:
1. Mold Growth Around the Cap
Mold is a sure sign that grenadine has gone bad. Often, the mold can be found around the cap of the bottle of grenadine. You may also want to check the surface of the syrup itself for any mold growth.
2. Cloudy Appearance
Grenadine is a clear syrup. If your grenadine has turned cloudy or you noticed some sediments on the bottom or surface of the syrup, throw it right away.
3.  Sugar Crystals
If you decided to freeze your grenadine and you saw sugar crystals upon thawing, this means that the non-alcoholic syrup is no longer at its peak quality.
4. Strange Smell
Since grenadine is made from pomegranate, you can expect it to taste sweet and fruity. Don’t use the syrup anymore if it gives off a different smell or already has a foul or sour smell.
Strange smells indicate spoilage. The good news is you can quickly get a whiff of the syrup’s smell right after opening the bottle.
5. Off Taste
When everything – smell and appearance—seems fine, it’s still recommended that you have a taste of the syrup. But make sure to get only small amounts.
If it tastes weird or has a sour smell, it means it’s not safe for consumption anymore.
How to Store Grenadine?
How you store grenadine can significantly impact its shelf life and quality. That’s why you must learn how to store grenadine properly. Here are some tips you need to know about storing grenadine the right way:
1.   Store unopened bottle of grenadine in a cool and dark place.
You don’t have to refrigerate unopened grenadine, but you do have to keep it away from sunlight and heat.
With that said, the best place for storing unopened grenadine is in your kitchen cabinet or pantry located far away from the kitchen windows and heat sources like oven or stove.
2.  Refrigerate opened and homemade grenadine.
Should you refrigerate grenadine? Homemade grenadine must be refrigerated at all times. Additionally, commercial grenadine refrigerated in the store and opened commercial grenadine must be kept in the refrigerator.
3.  Keep the lid tightly.
A sealed bottle can protect the syrup from the air, which causes oxidation, hasten the spoilage process.
With that said, make sure to seal the bottle tightly. If you plan on using pumps, don’t forget to use pump cappers or place tin foil over the pump to cover it. And if you’re working with grenadine at home, make sure to transfer it to an airtight container before storing it.
4.  For longer shelf life, freeze grenadine.
Can you freeze grenadine? Yes, you can. It will last longer that way. However, you should transfer it to a freezer-friendly container first.
We like to pour the syrup into an ice cube tray to get single-serve portions. After that, freeze the ice cube tray overnight.
Once frozen, we recommend transferring the grenadine cubes into a freezer-friendly bag for many reasons.
First, for easy storage. Second, to prevent the ice cube trays from having pink stains. Lastly, to avoid the frozen grenadine cubes from absorbing the smell of other food items in the freezer.
Before sealing the bag, make sure to remove as much air as possible.
The Bottom Line
Does grenadine go bad? Let’s rewind and recap: Yes, grenadine does go bad, but it can last long if it’s properly stored.
So what do you need to do? Simple. You just need to follow this simple tip– keep it away from heat, light, and air so that you can enjoy delicious drinks for longer!
