Shirley Temple Cocktail Recipe

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Shirley Temple Nutrition Facts

Calories:120

Fat:0g

Protein:0g

Carbohydrates:30g

Alcohol:0%

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: January 7, 2024

History

The Shirley Temple cocktail is a non-alcoholic mixed drink named after the famous child actress Shirley Temple. It was created in the 1930s at the Chasen's restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, as a special treat for the young star. The drink quickly gained popularity and became a favorite among children and adults alike.

  • The drink is often served at children's parties and family-friendly events
  • It is a popular choice for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages
  • The original recipe has been adapted over the years, with various versions now available

How Shirley Temple Tastes?

The Shirley Temple cocktail is sweet, refreshing, and slightly tangy. The combination of ginger ale, grenadine, and lemon-lime soda creates a delightful balance of flavors that is both satisfying and thirst-quenching.

Interesting facts about Shirley Temple

  • The Shirley Temple cocktail is sometimes referred to as a 'mocktail' due to its non-alcoholic nature
  • The drink is often garnished with a maraschino cherry, which adds a touch of color and sweetness
  • Some variations of the Shirley Temple cocktail include the addition of orange juice or pineapple juice for a more tropical twist

Ingredients

A few good options for Shirley Temple are:

  • Brockmans
  • Silent Pool Gin
  • Hendrick's Gin

Learn everything on which Gin to choose

Ginger Ale

Why 4 oz?: The spice of the ginger ale gives a nice kick that balances the sweetness of the rest of the drink. Too much could overwhelm, too little, and you miss the zing.

What if it's not there?: The cocktail would lose its delightful spiciness. As an alternative, you might use ginger beer for sharper ginger flavor, but this would amplify the kick.

Alex Green

Lemon-Lime Soda

Why 4 oz?: The lemon-lime adds a citrusy freshness and ensures the drink isn't too sweet. It's a balancing act—more could make it too tart; less might make it cloyingly sweet.

Alternative?: A clear carbonated water with a squeeze of fresh lemon and lime could substitute, but it would lack the sugary edge common in commercial sodas.

Emma Rose

Grenadine

Why 1 oz?: Grenadine, with its sweet and tart flavor, gives the drink its signature pink hue and cherry-like taste. More could make the drink too sweet, less and you might lose the iconic color and flavor.

No grenadine?: The drink would not be a Shirley Temple without it! But in a pinch, use a cherry syrup or pomegranate juice mixed with simple syrup.

Mary Mitkina

Maraschino Cherry

Why just 1?: The cherry is the crowning jewel; it's a garnish that offers a nibble of sweetness at the end; more and it's just overkill.

No cherry on top?: You'd miss the nostalgic classic finish. Could use a slice of orange for a citrusy garnish instead, but it's just not the same.

Alex Green

Ice

Why as needed?: Ice keeps the drink cool and refreshing without overpowering it. Too much ice could dilute the flavors; too little, and it's a lukewarm disappointment.

Emma Rose

Recipe. How to make Shirley Temple Drink

  1. Fill a tall glass with ice
  2. Pour 4 oz of ginger ale and 4 oz of lemon-lime soda into the glass
  3. Add 1 oz of grenadine syrup
  4. Stir gently to combine the ingredients
  5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry

Pro Tips

  • Use fresh ice to ensure the drink stays cold and refreshing
  • Stir gently to avoid losing the carbonation from the sodas
  • Chill the glass before preparing the drink for an extra cool touch

Perfect Pairings

A Shirley Temple is a sweet and cheerful non-alcoholic drink, making it a favorite for all ages. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of food and occasions. Here are some suggestions:

Appetizers

  • Fried Calamari: The crispiness and slight saltiness contrast nicely with the sweetness of the Shirley Temple.
  • Cheese Platter: A selection of cheeses balances well with the fruity flavors.

Main Courses

  • Grilled Chicken: The light, smoky flavors complement the sweetness of the grenadine and the fizziness of the sodas.
  • Burgers: A classic American pairing—juicy burgers with a refreshing Shirley Temple on the side.

Desserts

  • Vanilla Ice Cream: Simple and classic, it lets the drink shine as the star.
  • Fruit Salad: Echo the cherry garnish with a bowl of fresh fruit.

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What you could change in Shirley Temple

  • Ginger Ale: Can be replaced with club soda for a less sweet version
  • Grenadine: Can be substituted with a homemade syrup of reduced pomegranate juice and sugar
  • Lemon-Lime Soda: Can be replaced with sparkling water for a less sweet version

Explore all drinks starting with S here

And of course - twists🍹

Dirty Shirley

  • Add a shot (1.5 oz) of vodka for those who want a little extra kick in their Shirley Temple.
  • Follow the original recipe, then stir in the vodka.
  • The taste will go from innocent to a bit more mature, with a subtle burn to complement the sweet.

Shirley Ginger

  • Substitute ginger beer for ginger ale for an extra gingery zing.
  • Use the same proportions as ginger ale in the original recipe.
  • The flavor will be more pronounced and spicy, providing a sharper contrast to the sweetness of the grenadine.

Tropical Temple

  • Replace ginger ale with coconut soda or tropical-flavored sparkling water.
  • Follow the original recipe with the substitution.
  • This will introduce a taste of the tropics and a fresh, fruity twist to the drink.

In case you forgot basics how to make Shirley Temple

Insert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.

Learn everything on how to stir

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

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Frequently Asked Questions on Shirley Temple

What is a mocktail?

A mocktail is a non-alcoholic beverage that mimics the flavor of a traditional cocktail. They are a popular choice for those who don't consume alcohol or prefer non-alcoholic beverages.

Who was Shirley Temple?

Shirley Temple was a famous American actress, singer, dancer, and diplomat who was Hollywood's number one box-office star from 1935 to 1938. She later served her country as United States ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.

What other mocktails can I try?

If you enjoyed the Shirley Temple, you might also like the Virgin Mary (a non-alcoholic version of the Bloody Mary), the Virgin Pina Colada, and the Arnold Palmer (a mix of iced tea and lemonade).

What are some good occasions for serving a Shirley Temple?

The Shirley Temple is a great drink for all occasions, but they are particularly popular at kid's parties, non-alcohol events, brunches, baby showers, and at meals where adults are drinking alcoholic cocktails, so the kids don't feel left out.

Is there a 'grown-up' version of the Shirley Temple?

Yes, the 'Dirty Shirley' is an alcoholic version of this cocktail, usually prepared with the addition of vodka.

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