Shirley Temple

 What is a Shirley Temple Drink?

The Shirley Temple is an easy-to-make, two-ingredient non-alcoholic beverage made with ginger ale and grenadine (pomegranate syrup). A maraschino cherry garnish adds a touch of elegance, giving it the feel of a classic cocktail.

The Shirley Temple evokes a wonderful sense of nostalgia, and its sweet, fizzy qualities make it a popular choice for those seeking more than a simple soda or orange juice when out.

What Does a Shirley Temple Taste Like?

Rich, fruiity, sweet and slightly spicy. The effervescent ginger ale provides a gentle ginger spiciness, while the grenadine adds a syrupy sweetness that blends with almond and cherry notes from the maraschino cherry.

The History of the Shirley Temple Drink

The Shirley Temple drink was invented in the 1930s and is said to have been the first ever mocktail.

The story goes that a famous child star from the era felt left out at Hollywood parties while the adults enjoyed fancy cocktails. So, a bartender at a Beverly Hills restaurant created this drink in her honor.

Ironically, in a 1986 interview, she admitted she wasn’t a fan of the drink because she thought it was too sweet, yet she was served it everywhere she went! Even if the actress herself may not have been a fan of the drink, the Shirley Temple remains one of the most well-known and most popular mocktails of all time.

Tips for Making the Perfect Shirley Temple Drink

• Layer your drink…slowly
  Slowly pour the Ginger Ale into the Glass to preserve the layered look, allowing the Grenadine to sit at the bottom of the Glass. No stirring! Talk about an easy to make drink! 
• Make your own Grenadine Syrup
  Making your own Grenadine Syrup is going to result in a much tastier drink than using the store bought stuff. 

  To make your own Grenadine, you’ll need 2 large Pomegranates, 450g Caster Sugar, 60g Pomegranate Molasses, and 1 teaspoon of Orange Blossom Water. 

  Cut your Pomegranates in half and use a Citrus Press to juice them. This will give you approximately two cups of Pomegranate Juice.  Place the juice in a microwave-safe container and microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm.Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves. Next, add the Pomegranate Molasses and Orange Blossom Water. Allow the mixture to cool and then transfer into a bottle.

Variations of a Shirley Temple Drink

• With Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
  Add 10 ml Lemon Juice to add an acidic and citrusy freshness and brighten up your drink.For this version, we recommend garnishing the Shirley Temple with a Lemon Wheel in addition to a Maraschino Cherry.
• Ginger Ale Substitutes
  While a traditional Shirley Temple drink is made with Ginger Ale, modern Shirley Temple recipes sometimes swap Ginger Ale for Lemonade, Lemon-Lime Soda, or Orange Juice.These substitutions obviously change the drink’s profile, replacing the spiciness of Ginger Ale with more citrus-forward flavors.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Shirley Temple 

• We recommend serving the Shirley Temple drink in a Highball Glass filled with Ice Cubes. 
• Garnish with a single Maraschino Cherry. While the Cherry won’t add flavor to the drink itself, it enhances the visual appeal until you enjoy it at the end.