After reading/watching Greg from How To Drink and Darcy O'Neil's opinion that the original grenadine was note pomegranate syrup, but had more of a spiced (spec. clove) flavor, I tried the basic 3 ingredients with Lairds 7 1/2, lemon, and Portland Syrups' True Cola. It's obviously a very different profile, but one that I like quite a lot better than the pomegranate based. Apple and spices is obviously a traditional combination, and the lemon brings in much needed brightness. It may not be everyone's cup of brandy, but I recommend it as an experiment if nothing else.