American
Less-Sweet Roy Rogers Mocktail
A restrained-grenadine house Roy Rogers pairs pomegranate grenadine and cold cola with optional lemon and a single sour cherry for a crisp, ruby-edged mocktail.
2 servings · 6 minutes prep
Ingredients
Two Highballs
- 2 cups fresh ice cubes
- 1/2 ounce grenadine total (1/4 ounce per glass)
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice total (up to 1 teaspoon per glass), reserve and add only after tasting, up to 1 teaspoon per glass
- 2 cups very cold cola
- 2 sour cherries in syrup, drained, an intentionally less-sweet variation on the customary maraschino garnish
Directions
Chill the Build
- Fill two tall glasses with the ice. Let them stand for 1 minute, then pour away any meltwater.
- Measure 1/4 ounce of the grenadine into each glass. Reserve the lemon juice until after the cola is added.
Add the Cola
- Tilt one glass and pour half of the cola slowly down the inside wall, leaving 1 inch of headroom. Repeat with the second glass.
- Slide a long spoon to the bottom and lift once through each drink. Do not stir in circles; a faint ruby gradient may remain.
Garnish and Serve
- Add one drained sour cherry to each glass. Taste each drink; if the cola-grenadine base is unusually sweet, add the reserved lemon juice by drops, up to 1 teaspoon per glass.
- Serve at once while the carbonation is active. Do not prepare a pitcher in advance.
