This delicious Pomegranate Syrup is made with just two ingredients, but is packed with fruity flavor and beautiful color. It's quick to make, incredibly versatile, and perfect for adding pop to drinks, desserts, and brunch dishes.
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There are certain fruits that just lend themselves really well to simple syrups. Especially during the holidays. Cranberries are one. And pomegranates are another.
I worked on this pomegranate syrup recipe for a while because I really wanted to use fresh pomegranate arils to make the syrup. But after lots of experimentation, I realized using fresh arils takes an awful lot of effort and the results are ultimately not as good as using pomegranate juice.
And since it's so easy to procure 100% pomegranate juice these days, I highly recommend using it to make this homemade pomegranate syrup.
❤️ Why this recipe works
It uses just 2 ingredients: using only real pomegranate juice and granulated sugar means the syrup tastes bright, tart, and natural... And it's super easy!
Consistent results: one of the reasons I chose to use pomegranate juice is because you know exactly the flavor and sweetness you're going to get. When using fresh arils, the results can vary quite a bit.
So many uses: I'll list many uses below, but this pomegranate syrup works in cold drinks and cocktails, warm beverages, sauces, frostings, and even vinaigrettes.
🗒 Ingredients
Here are the only two things you need to make this simple syrup (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):
- Pomegranate juice: I always use POM Wonderful. Just make sure it's 100% juice
- Granulated sugar
🥣 Recipe tips
- Be sure to use 100% pomegranate juice. If your juice has added sugar or other ingredients, it will change both the flavor and thickening of the syrup. POM Wonderful or store-brand 100% pomegranate juice are best.
- Once the juice and sugar come to a boil, be sure to lower the heat to a simmer. Keeping it boiling the whole time may over-reduce it and cause it to become bitter.
- It should only need about 10 minutes of simmering, but you can also use the spoon test to determine when it's done. Dip a wooden spoon in and if the syrup coats the back and leaves a clean line when you swipe your finger through it, you're good to go.
- Let the syrup cool completely before judging the thickness of it. Warm syrup always looks thinner. Let it chill in the fridge to see its true thickness.
🍹 How to use pomegranate syrup
There are SO many ways to use this syrup in all kinds of drinks and dishes. Here are some of my favorite uses:
Coffee addition: add a splash of the syrup to lattes, iced coffee, or cold brew for a fruity, tangy twist that pairs especially well with chocolate or vanilla flavors.
Tea addition: It's also fantastic in hot black tea, iced green tea, or most herbal teas.
Pomegranate cocktails: shake it into all kinds of cocktails like margaritas, martinis, vodka sodas, gin spritzes, or even red wine sangria. Here's my favorite pomegranate margarita recipe using the syrup!
Homemade soda: mix the syrup with seltzer for an easy, refreshing pomegranate soda. You can add lemon or lime juice to it, as well.
Lemonade enhancer: and on that note, you can drizzle a little into homemade lemonade (or limeade) to make pomegranate lemonade that looks gorgeous and tastes even fruitier.
Pancake, waffle, and french toast topping: the sweet-tart balance is perfect for brunch dishes and adds a pop of color regular maple syrup can't.
Yogurt or oatmeal drizzle: swirl a spoonful of syrup into Greek yogurt bowls, overnight oats, or baked oatmeal.
Ice cream topping: it's especially delicious on vanilla, chocolate, or pistachio ice cream.
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Salad dressing ingredient: whisk it into vinaigrettes with olive oil and dijon for a bright, fruity salad dressing.
Meat marinade or glaze: Pomegranate goes with chicken, pork, steak, or salmon and the syrup can be used as a marinade or for brushing on during the last few minutes of cooking. It would also be delicious as a holiday ham glaze.
Roasted veggie glaze: toss roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or squash with a little syrup for a sweet and tart finish.
Granita or shaved ice flavor: freeze the syrup with water and a little lemon for a refreshing, icy dessert.
Frosting flavoring: add a bit to buttercream for a naturally pink, fruity frosting that's great for cupcakes or citrus cakes.
Cake moistener: brush a thin layer onto cooled cake layers for extra moistness and flavor. Pomegranate goes with virtually all cake flavors.
⏲️ How to store
I recommend storing the pomegranate syrup in a glass jar, though you can use any bowl or container that can be closed airtight. Note that there is the possibility of the syrup staining a plastic container.
The syrup should stay fresh for about a month when kept in an airtight container in the fridge.
Did you know you can also freeze simple syrup? I recommend pouring any leftover syrup into ice cube trays to freeze and then storing the syrup cubes in a large freezer-safe bag.
When ready to use, remove from freezer and thaw. The frozen syrup should keep for 3-4 months.
🎉 Variations on recipe
I love the simplicity of this 2-ingredient simple syrup, but there are also lots of ingredients you can add to put a little twist on the fruity syrup.
Here are some ideas for add-ins:
- Lemon or lime juice and/or peel
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon stick
- Cloves
- Star Anise
- Fresh ginger
- Honey (swap ¼ cup granulated sugar for ¼ cup honey)
- Mint
- Basil
- Rose petals
- Lavender petals
😍 How to use fresh arils
If you do want to try making this syrup with fresh pomegranate arils instead of juice, here's what I recommend:
Put about 2 cups fresh arils (from about 2-3 pomegranates depending on size) in a saucepan with 2-3 tablespoon of water and hear over low for 3-4 minutes (don't boil).
Use a potato masher to gently crush the arils and pour everything through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Squeeze to extract as much juice as possible.
You should get about a cup of juice with the 2 cups of arils. If you don't have enough, you can top off with a little water.
Now, make the syrup as directed, but I recommend using 1 cup of sugar when using fresh arils as the juice is naturally a bit sweeter than the arils.
🛒 Where to buy
I highly recommend you make this simple simple syrup, but if you prefer all the flavor with none of the work, there are several options for purchasing pomegranate syrup. Here are a few:
Remember that pomegranate syrup and pomegranate molasses are very different and shouldn't be confused.
Occasionally pomegranate syrup is referred to as grenadine. But grenadine can can also be mainly high-fructose corn syrup and red dye. So make sure you check the ingredients to see if pomegranate is actually an ingredient.
Be sure to check out my full collection of simple syrups for more holiday syrups (sugar cookie, eggnog, gingerbread, and candy cane) and recipe for all occasions.
This pomegranate syrup is a must-make this holiday season and can and should be enjoyed all winter long!
📖 Recipe
Pomegranate Syrup
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Ingredients
- 1 cup 100% pomegranate juice (like Pom Wonderful)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Put pomegranate juice and sugar in a small saucepan and bring mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, lower heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until mixture has thickened a bit.
- Pour syrup into a bowl or mason jar and place in fridge to cool completely before using. Syrup will continue to thicken as it cools.
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