Bacardi Cocktail on the Rocks
The Bacardi Cocktail on the Rocks is a classic and the first cocktail I loved. It’s easy to make, goes down smooth and is perfect for an easy occasion!
According to a story in the Washington Post in 1937, at the end of Prohibition, the Bacardi Cocktail began to unseat the Martini as the most favored cocktail, something most thought could never happen. The Bacardi Cocktail was originally the same as the Daiquiri, containing rum, lime juice, and sugar.
The Grenadine version of the Bacardi Cocktail originated in the US, while the original non-red Bacardi company recipe originated in Cuba. Combining Bacardi rum, lime and Grenadine in a cocktail shaker with ice and shaking until cold seems a precursor to today’s Cosmopolitan…pink, both sweet and tart and certainly trendy.
A couple of weeks ago I decided to make my own Grenadine syrup using pomegranate juice, sugar and a sliver of orange peel. It has a fabulous flavor and I loved it in this Pomegranate Margarita but I had to go about it differently when making the Grenadine for this cocktail.
Why? That result, using half sugar and half juice was in between pomegranate simple syrup and pomegranate molasses; it was thick and it was leading towards brown after cooking down with some orange added.
This had to be red (or at least burgundy!) and it was as simple as just preparing the juice like a regular simple syrup, just enough heat to have the sugar melt and then simmer briefly to have it thicken slightly…just enough to barely coat the back of a spoon. It is gorgeous and a far cry from Rose’s Grenadine which might be called Grenadine but is without a single bit of Grenade (French for pomegranate) in it .
Made with high fructose corn syrup, red dye #40 and a smidgeon of blue dye #1 to up the surreal hue just a bit; it’s flavor is closer to that of cough syrup than pomegranate! This is not that.
This is the perfect combination of sweet and tart and boozy and in my take…just a bit effervescent too! The taste is every bit as improved as the appearance with the homemade grenadine. What is my take? I like a bit of sparkling water added to top it off; not much but the slight fizz only elevates a great, simple cocktail.
This time around, so many years later I made it for myself and a very sweet friend that I met on Twitter but bonded with over Starbucks, biscuits and bacon. Sommerset was in town on company business and she was sweet enough to ‘help’ me test this effort. I hope we can do it again soon!
I might have had a moment in college when I tried an underage drinking experiment but the truth is, drinking to excess has never been my thing and worrying about getting into trouble kept me from having too many of those experiences.
So turning 21 was actually a big moment; when I could order a cocktail if out with friends after work or on a date with my boyfriend. I don’t remember exactly the first time I had a Bacardi Cocktail but I do remember is was my favorite drink to order; long before I considered the beauty of making cocktails at home.
Fast forward to my 28th year when I moved with my than husband from St. Louis to Raleigh, NC and to the relative jolt of going out for one of our first meals, ordering a cocktail and finding out about North Carolina’s dry laws.
No cocktails, nope. You could bring a bottle of wine in with you or a bottle of hard liquor and order a mixer for it but the days of ordering a favorite cocktail in a restaurant were over for us.
So, we could drive around with an open bottle of bourbon in the car but could not order a mixed drink at a bar. Today that seems the opposite of good practice if you want to curtail drinking but it stopped me cold. Until I thought about making my own. Why yes, I can do that!
I bought my first cocktail book, I made these at home and as they say, the rest is history!
PIN IT! ‘Bacardi Cocktail on the Rocks’
Bacardi Cocktail on the Rocks
Ingredients
- 3 jiggers Bacardi Rum
- Juice from one fresh lime
- 3 - 6 Tbsp Grenadine syrup - depending on how sweet you want them to be. Use purchased project or homemade recipe in notes
- Sparkling Mineral Water optional
- Lime slices for garnish
Instructions
- To Make the Grenadine
- Combine the Pomegranate juice and sugar and heat until sugar is dissolved. Simmer until slightly thickened; about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Refrigerate.
- Add the teaspoon of vodka if using.
- To make two Bacardi Cocktails
- Fill 2 cocktail glasses with ice.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the rum, lime juice and Grenadine to shaker, cover and shake 20-30 times to get thoroughly cold. Pour over ice in glasses.
- Add cold sparkling mineral water to top it off if desired.
- Garnish with a lime slice.
Notes
For the Grenadine Simple Syrup
1 cup fresh or bottled Pomegranate juice (I used Pom Wonderful which truly was wonderful!)2 cups sugar
1 tsp vodka (this is optional but does help to preserve it longer. Will last about 2 weeks in the fridge without the vodka and about 2 months with. Not suggested if you will be using to make your children Shirley Temples!)
Nutrition
Hi, thanks for what sounds like a great recipe. Many years ago when a young reporter I frequented a very nice supper club bar with the “guys” after work. They served what they called a “Pink Bacardi.” (One of the guys called it my “pink schmook.”) I never found out what was in it, except for the lovely hazelnut at the bottom of the glass. Can you help? I believe it had grenadine in it and was not the simple rum and pink lemonade so often listed. I would really like to taste my youth again!
Thank you so much for a great site. I will definitely try your other recipes as well!
I wish I could help Kathleen but I don’t recall every seeing that cocktail (or tasting it either). Funny…the Bacardi Cocktail is pink…wonder if the Pink Bacardi was just one person’s version of the original?
It looks really refreshing! I wish I could have one next to a pool…
Easy to make Anna, so you really just need the pool!
I agree completely, this is a beautiful combination. Although this would make my shopping list even longer, I am sure it is worth it. I am sure this cocktail is just delicious.
So worth it. You can use the POM juice for so many things too; salad dressings and marinades come to mind. Do it! 🙂
Yum Barb!! Sounds amazing.
Easy too. Forget all of these others events; we need an online Girls Nite Out event. Cocktails in hand.
I’ve lived in Raleigh for many years. It is not a dry town. Perhaps you visited a restaurant that did not have its own liquor license but rather, one that you could BYOB. I’m surprised that you analogized the entire city of Raleigh, NC in this manner.
When we lived there Amy it was most certainly a dry town; this was not just one case at all. My daughter is 32 and it was before she was born so 35ish years ago. I’m not disrespecting Raleigh, I loved it there but it was certainly a culture shock.
This looks great-I definitely have to try making my own Grenadine.
So worth it. Promise.
I’ve never heard of a bacardi cocktail, but it sounds fantastic. Especially the home made grenadine syrup, I’d never thought to make my own at home, but your recipe is so simple.
So simple and such an improvement in flavor. The only downside? I doubt it will last for years; but maybe that’s OK? 🙂
That looks like a perfect weekend cocktail. Yum!!
Yummy! I am a big fan of cocktails, and this one looks really delicious! I think I’m going to give this one a try!
I hope you do Amy and please let me know what you think..I just think I’m glad I re-discovered it after so many years!
What a fabulous idea to make your own grenadine syrup!!! This sounds delicious:-) Did I know you used to live in NC? Small world for sure:-) Cheers!! Hugs, Terra
I did not! Where were you? We lived in Raleigh not far from Crabtree Valley Mall. Of course a couple of minutes from the mall back then meant living on an acre lot in the most gorgeous subdivision. Yes, the homes were nice but not opulent but the beauty was they cut in streets, driveways and where the house went but nothing else and we moved into our own personal forest. I will forever love that home and my time in North Carolina where both of my girls were born.
I know it’s early, but I will want at least two 🙂
Great post!
They go down easy…two it is!
Sometimes one cocktail is enough… but usually it takes two (maybe three) for me to be satisfied. I’m going to have to try this cocktail, as this is the first time I’m even hearing about it! Looks magnificent.
It’s a really lovely drink Brian and so easy to put together. I had never tried adding that bit of sparkling water but basically wanted to fill the glass a bit more and had some in the fridge..I sort of loved it!
I never thought that you could make your own grenadine, it never crossed my mind but it is so simple and I’ll bet so much better than the bought stuff!
The irony is that the store bought stuff we get here, typically Rose’s Grenadine, is simply high fructose corn syrup, some artificial flavors and dies to make it red; this is not only simple and a gorgeous color but the coup de grace? It has a real flavor to it…oh my gosh!
I love the colour of the drink! Must try it this summer:)
I love it too. The color is quite different than if using the Rose’s Grenadine…and I think much more beautiful!
That would go down real easy right now. I was the opposite of you..I did the underage drinking to the hilt (well…one beer and blitzed), but once I turned 21..outside of wine..I sort of stopped – it wasn’t as fun anymore since I was now ‘allowed’ to drink lol. Loved your story and the back story on Bacardi cocktails.
Virtual drinking is fun, but I’m starting to ‘really’ crave your drinks. This Bacradi cocktail not only sounds good, but the color is gorgeous. Don’t laugh if I show up on your doorstep slurring one day 😉
Give me enough notice to have limes and we’re good to go!
I have always been pretty controlling with my alcohol intake; I love a good cocktail but my mother was an alcoholic so I’ve never romanticized the notion of getting drunk and dealing with her as a young adult gave the whole notion of over-imbibing a totally different perspective if you can imagine!
you should be called Cocktail Queen 🙂 Love the color of this drink and I have Pom juice at home.. so, YAY!
I’ve heard that before and I’m OK with that title. As long as it doesn’t come with the notion of me being sloshed by noon! 🙂
Oh My Goodness…I need one of these right now! Looks Refreshing!
So good Sara…funny how I went so many years without one and now that I have rediscovered my first love it has so easily snagged me again.
Ooh I love the color you achieved here in this concoction Barb. Bacardi rum reminds me one of the grandaughters went to grad school with J and had parties with an open bar. What a life though not ours by any stretch of the word! 🙂 Happy Friday the 13th!
The color is sort of an expected reward Shulie. The ‘other’ Grenadine is a bright pink concoction from dyes…this resulting burgundy syrup makes for a much richer end result. Still pretty too!
D*I*V*I*N*E !!!!! You “Rock” Happy Hour Fridays! Another spectacular Drink!
This is most definitely a ‘girls nite out’ drink…we will have to plan one of these for my backyard when the weather is warmer. This and PJ’s. 🙂
This was so refreshing after a day of biscuit slinging…. both the conversation and the cocktail! It’s also simply pretty to look at. I’m a woman who embraces pink, red, fuchsia and all shades in between. I can appreciate flavor with no beauty but when the two come together it’s something special. This would be a great cocktail for a ladies gathering – maybe liven up the endless bridal and baby showers a bit!
I hope to have a summer Girls Nite Out at my home on the patio…seems Sunflower and Whole Foods might need you again? 🙂
Love that you made your own grenadine for this, Barb! I rarely imbibe, but when I do this has always been a favorite. Must be even more delightful with your homemade syrup.
I don’t imbibe as often as it might seem! Believe it or not…I’ve made the cocktails; made sure they lived up to a taste worth blogging about and then? Did I have a party? No…I pitched them. It’s true. I don’t really have it in me to start drinking cocktails at 10am before working for the day! 🙂
I love the idea of making grenadine. Our eight year old has discovered Shirley Temples and I never thought to make my own. Of course… the rum…. No…. I would NEVER serve barcardi to a minor.
This is so good Lael; simply make it with a bit of vodka to keep it longer but without it would be perfect with 7-Up for a Shirley Temple; much better than adding that other stuff and actually a gorgeous color. More burgundyish than bright pink and I love it!
Stunning photos!!! I myself would love to share a Barcardi Cocktail with you 🙂 The addition of real grenadine takes this over the top my friend. Great post.
That would be great Wendy…and the ‘real’ grenadine syrup makes it even better than I remember and so much prettier too.
I love the little history lessons you blend in so well in your cocktail posts. I’m sure you and Sommerset had a lovely time testing this Bacardi cocktail until you got it just perfect, which by the way, you certainly did.
It was so fun to meet her too Paula…just the liveliest, sweet young woman. I made her a simple dinner and she ate like she hadn’t in days. Which…after a couple of days without any home cooking can make someone like her feel! I love actually meeting people I connect with on Twitter…one day it will be you I hope.
All this chatter about cocktails on Twitter yesterday has me in the mood to prepare a batch of these for the weekend! While I have never been a huge fan of rum, this drink may change my mind. Have a great weekend! 🙂
It’s a lovely drink Gwen and I think rum is perfect with the sweet and sour components. To tell you the truth…have some of the sparkling water on hand. It wasn’t planned but my guest and I just loved that slight addition; not just to cut the rum but it added a nice effervescence.
Why is it that when I read your blog on Fridays I suddenly get thirsty? There is just something about pink cocktails the I adore. I guess it’s just the girly girl in me. This is a winner Barb!
Why is it we never share one of these…that’s an even better question!