Grenadine is a sweet, deep-red syrup traditionally made from pomegranate juice and sugar; its name comes from the French word for pomegranate, grenade. The pomegranate itself is native to a region stretching from Iran to northern India and has been cultivated for thousands of years.
Traditional, pomegranate-based grenadine is still produced in the Mediterranean and Middle East, but most commercial grenadine today substitutes cherry or raspberry juice, or simply high-fructose corn syrup and red dye, to approximate the color and flavor at lower cost.
It's best known as a cocktail ingredient, giving drinks like the Shirley Temple, Tequila Sunrise, and Singapore Sling their signature red layer and sweet-tart edge, but it also flavors desserts, sauces, and marinades in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, and pairs well with citrus, berries, and warm spices like cinnamon and clove.