A Bartender's Guide to Reál Purees

Reál Puree Syrups can be one of the most misunderstood products in the bar and cocktail world. Today, I'll explain what they are, why you would use them, and when they’re ideal for your drinks.

1. What Are Reál Purees?

Reál Purees are premium fruit puree syrups made from high-quality fruit blended with sugar. They offer a consistent, convenient way to infuse authentic fruit flavours into your drinks and dishes.

At Drinkstuff, we love all our brands equally, each serving a unique purpose. While many might see Reál as a competitor to Funkin & Boiron, they're firmly in the syrup world, alongside brands like Monin, ODK, and 1883.

Reál vs Funkin

It's important to note that purees, like Funkin and Boiron, are mostly fruit with very little sugar - Funkin in the main being 90% fruit and 10% sugar, while Boiron is 100% fruit. These are "Purees".

In contrast, Reál Puree Syrups range from 40-50% Fruit to 50-60% Sugar.

Reál vs Monin

How Reál differs to other syrup brands is that not only do they have a much higher fruit content, but also the actual fruit content is 100% fruit, not a concentrate, and not boosted with added flavours.

For example, Reál Strawberry is made from 49% real strawberries, blended with 51% sugar. Some other brands of syrups might only have 10-20% fruit, often with some of that being a concentrate, or juice.

So Reál truly lives up to its "Premium" tag, boasting one of the highest fruit contents in the syrup category.

Reál Shelf Life

As for shelf life, Reál is shelf stable. There's no need to refrigerate, just like other syrups. But because of the high fruit content, it bridges the syrup and puree categories, offering the best of both worlds.

2. Why Would You Use Reál Puree Syrups?

For many venues, using fresh purees like Funkin or Boiron before they lose freshness can be a challenge. That’s where Reál Purees come in. They’re perfect for low-volume venues, allowing you to incorporate different flavours without worrying about wastage. But don’t think they're only for small bars. They're also great for high-volume venues, particularly chain bars, where consistency is key. Because Reál Purees come pre-balanced with fruit and sugar, you don’t need to worry about adding the right amount of sugar to fresh puree.

3. When Would You Use Reál Puree Syrups?

Reál Purees are versatile and can be used in both cocktails and culinary dishes. They’re popular in the food industry, particularly in desserts, ice creams, and even marinades for meats like chicken, pork, and beef.

As a bartender though, I always focus on the drinks. While there’s no right or wrong, Reál Purees offer a thicker texture to other syrup brands, due to their higher fruit content. Personally, I think Reál is perfect for Tiki, rum, and tequila cocktails, whereas I might choose Monin for gin or vodka-based drinks. But every bartender has their own preference.

Conclusion:

Reál Purees offer a convenient, high-quality way to enhance your cocktails and culinary creations. Their price point is attractive, even to home bartenders, and they let you stock a range of flavours to keep things interesting for your customers and guests at parties.