The Shirley Temple is a delightful and refreshing non-alcoholic drink named after the famous child actress, Shirley Temple. Often served at parties and family gatherings, this beloved favorite is a timeless classic that brings together simplicity, nostalgia, and a burst of sweet, fizzy delight. The drink is believed to have originated in the 1930s to give her something special to drink while adults enjoyed their cocktails. You might even say it was the original mocktail!
What is a Shirley Temple?
The Shirley Temple drink is a fun non-alcoholic beverage. Claims have been made that it was created to serve Shirley Temple herself when she was a child. Shirley Temple is quoted as having said that not only did she not like the drink, she had nothing to do with its creation.
Ingredients: What's in a Shirley Temple?
Traditionally, a Shirley Temple is made with ginger ale and grenadine. In more recent times, the ginger ale has been replaced with lemon-lime soda. The original Shirley Temple recipe is a blend of ginger ale, grenadine, and a maraschino cherry garnish. The Shirley Temple mocktail ingredients are simple and easy to find, making it a convenient choice for any occasion.
Here's what you'll need:
- Ginger Ale or Lemon-Lime Soda: 1 cup (240 ml) - This forms the base of the drink, providing a fizzy and refreshing quality.
- Grenadine Syrup: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) - This is the key ingredient that gives the drink its signature pinkish-red color and sweet taste.
- Maraschino Cherries: 2-3 cherries for garnish.
How to Make a Shirley Temple: Step-by-Step Instructions
Making a Shirley Temple is straightforward and quick, perfect for any occasion. The steps for making a Shirley Temple mocktail are simple, allowing you to prepare this delightful drink in just a few minutes. Proper preparation ensures that every sip is as delightful as the last.
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- Prepare Your Glass: Start by selecting a tall glass. A highball glass is the classic choice.
- Add Ice: Fill the glass about halfway with ice cubes.
- Pour the Soda: Add 1 cup (240 ml) of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda into the glass.
- Add the Grenadine: Pour 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of grenadine syrup over the soda. To achieve the signature layered look, pour the grenadine syrup slowly over the back of a spoon.
- Stir Gently: Using a long spoon, stir the drink gently to mix the grenadine and soda slightly. The goal is to mix the flavors without disturbing the layers too much.
- Garnish with Cherries: Drop 2-3 maraschino cherries into the glass.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your Shirley Temple is now ready to be enjoyed.
Tips for the Perfect Shirley Temple
- Chill Your Ingredients: For the best-tasting Shirley Temple mocktail recipe, make sure your ginger ale or lemon-lime soda and grenadine are chilled before preparation.
- Quality of Ingredients: Use high-quality grenadine syrup for a rich and authentic flavor. Avoid artificially flavored syrups if possible. Use real pomegranate grenadine for a richer taste.
- Ice Preparation: Use fresh, clear ice cubes. Cloudy or old ice can impart an off-flavor to your drink.
- Maraschino Cherries: Use premium maraschino cherries for the best flavor and presentation.
- Glass Selection: Choose a tall glass to showcase the beautiful gradient of the drink.
- Gentle Stirring: Stir gently to maintain the fizz and the visual appeal of the layered colors.
- Garnishing: Place the cherries and any optional citrus wedges carefully.
Variations on the Classic Shirley Temple
- Dirty Shirley Temple: If you want to make this an adult drink, or a Dirty Shirley Temple, you need to just add a little vodka or 2 ounces of black rum. When Shirley Temple got married her new name became Shirley Temple Black and there was a new drink named after her.
- Shirley Temple with Orange Juice: Add a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice to the traditional recipe for a citrusy twist.
- Sparkling Shirley Temple: Replace the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda with sparkling water for a lighter, less sweet version.
- Tropical Shirley Temple: Add pineapple juice or coconut water to the mix for a tropical flavor.
- Shirley Temple Float: For a dessert version, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the glass.
- Spiced Shirley Temple: During the winter months, add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the drink for a warm, spiced version.
Serving Suggestions
Serving a Shirley Temple mocktail is as much about presentation as it is about taste. The vibrant colors and festive nature of this drink make it perfect for various occasions.
- Highball Glass: The classic way to serve a Shirley Temple mocktail is in a highball glass.
- Garnished with Cherries: Add 2-3 maraschino cherries to the drink, letting them float in the glass.
- Straw or Stirrer: Include a colorful straw or a decorative stirrer to enhance the presentation. My kids are crazy for these paper straws.
- Martini Glass: For a more sophisticated presentation, serve the Shirley Temple mocktail in a martini glass.
- Lemon or Lime Twist: Garnish with a twist of lemon or lime peel.
- Sugar Rim: For a festive touch, rim the glass with sugar.
- Mason Jars: For a casual, fun presentation, serve the Shirley Temple mocktail in mason jars.
- Fruit Garnishes: Add slices of orange, lemon, or lime to the jar.
- Umbrella Picks: Decorate with tiny umbrella picks or fun, colorful drink picks.
- Plastic Cups: For children's parties, serve the Shirley Temple mocktail in sturdy plastic cups.
- Candy Garnishes: Add a fun twist by garnishing with gummy candies or candy sticks.
- Punch Bowl: For large gatherings, prepare a big batch of the Shirley Temple mocktail in a punch bowl.
- Floating Fruit: Add a variety of fruit slices and maraschino cherries to the punch bowl.
- Ice Ring: Create an ice ring with maraschino cherries and slices of citrus fruit frozen inside.
- Chill Everything: Ensure all ingredients are well-chilled before serving.
Making a Shirley Temple for a Crowd
Yes, you can serve around 8-10 people with this recipe:
- 1.5 Cups Grenadine
- 5-6 Cups Soda
- 2 Tablespoons Cherry Juice
To make a large batch, simply scale up the ingredients proportionally and mix them in a punch bowl.
Nutritional Information
Understanding the nutritional content is important for those who are mindful of their dietary intake.
- Calories: The majority of the calories in the recipe come from the sugars in the soda and the grenadine syrup. Typically a Shirley Temple drink can have as much as 45-55 grams of sugar according to the My Fitness Pal site.
- Sugars: With 35-40 grams of sugar per serving, the Shirley Temple mocktail is quite sweet. The sugars are primarily from the grenadine syrup and the soda.
- Carbohydrates: The total carbohydrate content is also high due to the sugars.
- Sodium: The sodium content is relatively low, making this drink suitable for those who are watching their salt intake.
- Vitamins and Minerals: It is not a significant source of vitamins or minerals.
Variations for Lower Sugar
For a lower-sugar version, consider using a diet or sugar-free soda and reducing the amount of grenadine. This one has only 10 grams of sugar.
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Grenadine: The Key Ingredient
Grenadine is a non-alcoholic flavored simple syrup that you can purchase in the liquor department of any grocery store. Grenadine is a pomegranate-flavored syrup. Look for it in the grocery or liquor store near mixers such as tonic water.
Homemade Grenadine Syrup
Originally, grenadine was made with pomegranate juice. We have family members who are sensitive to Red 40, which is abundant in grenadine. We often try to avoid it or make a replacement.
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces frozen cherries (thawed)
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions:
- In a food processor or blender, puree 12 ounces frozen cherries (that have been thawed) and 1 cup water together so that the cherries are very fine.
- In a saucepan over low heat, bring the mixture, an additional 1 cup of water, and 1 cup of sugar to a low boil, stirring consistently.
- This homemade syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Soda Options
You can use any soda you like, such as Sierra Mist or even ginger ale.
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