Sipdown (129)!
A few weeks back I mentioned buying a bottle of grenadine in an attempt to jump start yet another ‘project’ or ‘operation’, if you will. Instead of “Operation: Birthday Cake In Everything” I’m going to be moving forward with “Operation Make Your Own Monk’s Blend”! Traditionally, a Monk’s blend is black tea with grenadine and vanilla so I figured it’d be fun to try experimenting a little with the straight blacks I’ve got currently since neither grenadine or vanilla is particularly hard to get a hold of.
So, Trial #1:
I used about 1 1/2 tsp. of Grenadine in my timolino worth of this tea. My fear was actually that I may have been starting out with too much grenadine since it’s very syrupy, sweet stuff. I find the grenadine I’m using in particular (Rose’s Brand) doesn’t actually taste much like pomegranate (which is what grenadine is actually traditionally supposed to be) but has a more generic “red fruit” flavour, almost cherry or strawberry.
This came out… Interesting.
It’s kinda drying and astringent with some really smokey notes from the Keemun. The grenadine is present, but not at all as much as I thought it would be. What I’m taking away from this is that smoke and grenadine don’t mix together in a satisfying way and that I’m probably going to need to use at least 2 tsp. of grenadine next time, if not possibly a tablespoon (though that just seems like so much grenadine). It did “pop” a litter more as it cooled down, though. And it certainly was drinkable overall even if the flavours clashed a bit.
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I would suggest try adding some vanilla to the grenadine and tea.
Whoops; looks like I didn’t mention in my tasting note but I did add a bit of vanilla as well. About 1/2 tsp. of regular ol’ vanilla extract. Didn’t seem to do anything to the flavour, though. Probably didn’t use enough?
Hard to tell. I have never tried to make my own Monk’s blend. I would try less grenadine and more vanilla. Or get a vanilla syrup vs vanilla extract.
I would suggest try adding some vanilla to the grenadine and tea.
Whoops; looks like I didn’t mention in my tasting note but I did add a bit of vanilla as well. About 1/2 tsp. of regular ol’ vanilla extract. Didn’t seem to do anything to the flavour, though. Probably didn’t use enough?
Hard to tell. I have never tried to make my own Monk’s blend. I would try less grenadine and more vanilla. Or get a vanilla syrup vs vanilla extract.