One of the most popular mocktails of all time has got to be the Shirley Temple, made with grenadine, lemon-lime soda, and maraschino cherries. This homemade pomegranate soda pop recipe is a grown-up nod to the sometimes over-sweetened staple of every mocktail menu, because it’s got scratch-made pomegranate syrup and soda water. And seriously, that’s it.

Two vibrant pink pomegranate sodas with striped straws sit on a wooden board, surrounded by pomegranate halves. The sodas are served in frosted, wavy glasses and topped with ice. Shadows cast by bright sunlight are visible on a light background.

After making homemade beverages for over a decade I’ve heard my fair share of folks asking, “why bother making something from scratch I can buy at the store?!” I get it. I too used to think that convenience was the best way to live life. But this soda isn’t about cutting corners in the name of convenience. It’s about giving yourself a lil gift. A tiny treat that’s full of fresh pomegranate flavor with a hint of nostalgia taken up a notch.

And you sure are in for a treat, whether you’re sipping on this soda pop in the dead of winter wishing for warmer spring days, or you were clever enough to freeze a batch of fresh pomegranate juice last autumn in preparation for a lazy summer day. 😎

Use this soda as the flavor base for your own homemade Shirley Temples, or top it with your favorite liquor for an easy cocktail. Want another layer of pomegranate flavor? Add an ounce of pomegranate liqueur to this soda for a quick cocktail, or use this soda in place of bubbly water for a seasonal pomegranate spritz cocktail!

why this grenadine soda recipe works:

♥️ fresh & juicy flavor. Unlike store-bought options, this soda is made with a homemade grenadine, which means it’s full of real fresh pomegranate flavor.

🙌 easy to customize. Making your own sodas means you get to be in charge of how much syrup is added, which lets you customize the flavor and sweetness to your liking.

🫧 bubbly base. Serve your sodas as they are or use them as an ingredient in other recipes! You can add cream for an Italian-style soda, or you can use the soda as a mixer in a seasonal cocktail.

🛒 ingredients

pomegranate simple syrup – also known as homemade grenadine syrup, this flavorful syrup is made from fresh pomegranate juice, and that is the difference in this soda! No shortcuts here! While you can use shelf-stable grenadine, you’ll get a much better flavor using a homemade syrup.
plain sparkling water – you can use your favorite unflavored bubbly water for this soda, whether it’s seltzer water or soda water, but make sure it’s plain with no additional ingredients.
pomegranate arils – also known as pomegranate seeds, these are an optional garnish you can use to help show off the flavor of the drink.
ice – YES ice is an ingredient and YES you need to start thinking about the flavor and quality of your ice. It takes up 1/2 to 2/3 the volume of your glass, so it very much impacts the taste of your drink. If your drinks always taste funky, trust me, check your ice. 😬

See the recipe card for the exact quantities.

🍳 instructions

A hand holds a spoon with pomegranate seeds over two wavy glass cups brimming with ice, crafting refreshing pomegranate soda. In the background, whole and halved pomegranates rest on a table against a teal tiled wall, while sunlight casts playful shadows across the surface.

1: Fill your glass halfway with ice, then layer in a few spoonfuls of pomegranate arils, if using to garnish.

A hand pours red liquid from a small metal cup into a textured glass filled with ice, crafting a refreshing pomegranate soda. Next to it is another similar glass on white coasters atop a wooden board, with scattered pomegranate seeds and a bowl of pomegranates in the background.

2: Add the grenadine syrup next.

3: Top with sparkling water, leaving a little extra room to adjust flavor if you need to.

A hand stirs a frosty pink pomegranate soda with a straw in a wavy glass. The drink, adorned with pomegranate seeds, sits alongside an identical one on a wooden board. Pomegranate halves are scattered around, enhancing the refreshing scene.

4: Stir your soda well to mix the flavors, then give it a little taste and adjust if needed.

5: Pop a straw in your sodas.

6: Serve immediately.

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💡tips & tricks for getting it right

🍽️ serving tips

serve in style – this homemade pomegranate soda is perfect for holiday parties and winter gatherings when pomegranates are in season.
mocktail hour – serve alongside other alcohol-free drinks like sparkling limonata for a festive non-alcoholic beverage bar during celebrations.
pair with appetizers – this refreshing soda pairs beautifully with salty snacks, cheese boards, or light Mediterranean appetizers like whipped ricotta dip and crunchy cr o stini!

garnish

pomegranate seeds – you can add in a few tablespoons of pomegranate arils, or seeds, for a fun garnish. I like to layer them in between scoops of ice!
pomegranate ice – you can even make a batch of fancy ice cubes to use as a garnish for this soda! It’s an especially fun extra treat when you’re hosting.

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

not enough flavor – you can always add more syrup if you want to kick the flavor up a few notches. Store-bought sodas are much much sweeter than the ones I like to make, so I always start with less syrup then add more if I want more flavor.
use the right bubbles – make sure you choose the right bubbly water for your sodas. Sparkling water, soda water, or club soda are the best bets because they’re pure in taste, unlike sparkling mineral water which has additional flavors to it.

🔆 top tip

Always start with a liiiittle less syrup than you think you’ll need when making your own sodas, that way you can amp up the flavor a bit at a time. It’s easier to add more flavor and sweetness than take it away!

I prefer less sweet sodas, so I find that I like the ratio of 8 ounces sparkling water to 1 ounce of syrup, sometimes up to 2 ounces if I’m wanting an extra sweet treat!

♻️ customize your homemade soda

Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!

add herbs – muddle in a bit of rosemary for a fresh herbal take on this soda pop! Rosemary and pomegranate go so well together!
add juice – pour in an ounce of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for a spritzer-style soda!
homemade Shirley Temple – add 1/2 ounce of both lemon and lime juice for a citrus Shirley Temple, or swap ginger ale for soda water for a ginger version of the mocktail classic!
spike it – give your soda a grown-up twist by adding an ounce or two of your favorite liquor, or even use a homemade pomegranate liqueur to really layer in the pomegranate flavor!

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

glass of choice – I love a fun glass that holds 10-12 ounces in volume so I have plenty of room for ice.
cocktail stirring spoon – a long handled spoon means you can get maximum stirring with minimum surface space, which is important to not dilute your drinks too quickly.
measuring beaker or jigger – measuring the syrup may seem like a type-a thing to do, but trust me, it’s the easiest way to ensure the best flavor for your drinks!

🫙 storing homemade soda

Homemade soda pops are best consumed shortly after you make them because you don’t want the bubbles to go to waste. If you must stash any leftovers, or if you’re prepping in advance, make sure to tightly seal your bottle of soda in an airtight container to preserve the carbonation.

💬 q+a

What’s the difference between pomegranate soda and a Shirley Temple?

This soda is strictly pomegranate flavor, or grenadine soda. A Shirley Temple is made with grenadine and citrus soda or grenadine and ginger ale. Plus, you can’t forget the maraschino cherries!

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Two glasses of pink pomegranate soda with striped straws sit on marble coasters atop a wooden surface. The drinks are crowned with crushed ice and pomegranate seeds, adding a refreshing touch. In the background, a halved pomegranate rests against a vibrant teal-tiled wall.

Pomegranate Soda (Homemade Grenadine Soda)

Learn how to make a vibrant and refreshing pomegranate soda recipe at home with this simple recipe! This homemade soda recipe combines sweet-tart pomegranate syrup (also known as grenadine) with crisp, bubbly soda water for a delightful alcohol-free beverage. Perfect for special occasions, holiday gatherings, or whenever you're craving a naturally flavored soda without artificial ingredients. Make this grenadine soda in just minutes for a stunning ruby-red drink that's sure to impress!

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Beverages

Cuisine: American

Keyword: homemade soda, Italian soda, soda

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings:

Calories: 67kcal

Author: Lindsey Neumayer

Equipment

1 drinking glass 12-ounce capacity
1 cocktail mixing spoon
1 measuring beaker or jigger
1 straw

Ingredients

1 ounce pomegranate syrup homemade or store-bought
8 ounces soda water chilled
ice cubes
1 tablespoon pomegranate arils for garnish

Instructions

Add ice. Fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes.
Garnish. Add in a few spoonfuls of fresh pomegranate arils, if using, then add more ice to the top of the glass.
Add syrup. Pour 1 ounce of grenadine syrup over the ice.
Add soda water. Slowly add 8 ounces of chilled soda water.
Stir. Gently stir with a long spoon to combine.
Serve. Serve immediately while bubbles are fresh.

Nutrition Information

Servings: 1

Calories: 50mg

Total Fat: 50mg

Saturated Fat: 50mg

Trans Fat: 50mg

Cholesterol: 50mg

Sodium: 50mg

Carbohydrates: 50mg

Fiber: 50mg

Sugar: 50mg

Protein: 50mg

The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.

2 Comments

Paul says:

March 16, 2025 at 2:58 pm

Yum! So good. Can I use POM juice if pomegranates are not available or out of season at my grocery store?

1. Lindsey Neumayer says:
  
  March 17, 2025 at 1:54 pm
  
  Hi Paul! YES, you can totally use POM juice! I tested my grenadine syrup recipe with bottled juice and fresh, and it works well with both! Thank you for your question!