Cocktails · The Lion Chef
Cocktails
Gin Daisy
A bright gin aperitif with lemon, Cointreau, homemade grenadine, and soda.
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Yield
- Makes 1 cocktail + grenadine
- Level
- Easy
Behind the recipe
The story behind the pour
Light, lively, and ideal for warm weather, the Gin Daisy balances tangy citrus and floral gin with the fruit of fresh pomegranate. It feels equally at home during a Miami summer, a Puerto Rico afternoon, or a relaxed gathering anywhere.
Method
Make it
- 01
Extract the pomegranate juice
Score and peel a ripe pomegranate and separate the seeds. Seal them in a sturdy bag with the air removed, crush gently with a rolling pin, then snip a corner and strain the juice into a bowl. One pomegranate yields approximately half a cup.
- 02
Make the grenadine
Combine the pomegranate juice and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil, add the lemon peels, and simmer for 15 minutes. Cool completely before using.
- 03
Shake the cocktail
Add the gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and homemade grenadine to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well until chilled.
- 04
Serve
Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes, strain in the cocktail, and finish with a splash of soda water. Garnish with a lemon slice and mint sprig.
Lion Chef note
Refrigerate leftover grenadine in a clean sealed bottle and use it to bring fresh pomegranate flavor to other cocktails.
Behind the bar
Grenadine made from fruit
The freshness of this Daisy comes from real pomegranate grenadine, not a brightly colored commercial syrup.
Extract the juice
Score and peel a ripe pomegranate, place the seeds in a sealed bag, and crush them gently with a rolling pin. Snip one corner and strain the juice; one fruit yields roughly half a cup.
Build the grenadine
Simmer equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar with strips of lemon peel for fifteen minutes, then cool completely. The result gives sweetness, acidity, and fresh fruit character.
A year-round aperitif
Gin, lemon, orange liqueur, grenadine, and soda make a light aperitif suited to summer and warm climates, but its classic balance works whenever a meal needs a lively opening.