Leo King, the adorable 6-year-old “Shirley Temple King,” has captured our hearts with his brutally honest reviews of Shirley Temples. His enthusiasm for the classic beverage has left many asking, “What is a Shirley Temple and how can I make my own?”
The iconic Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic mixed drink traditionally consisting of ginger ale, grenadine, and then topped with a maraschino cherry. It’s rumored that the popular mocktail was invented at a restaurant called Chasen’s in West Hollywood, California in the 1930s to serve to the popular child star actress Shirley Temple.
Despite the Shirley Temple’s debated history, this refreshing drink certainly was and still is a childhood favorite of many. Sipping this fancy fizzy, sweet, ruby-hued drink would make anyone feel like a star!
Shirley Temple Recipe
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ice, crushed
- 1 ounce grenadine
- 6 ounces ginger ale
- maraschino cherries for garnish, optional
Supplies
- tall glass
- straw (optional)
Directions
Fill a glass with ice and then pour the grenadine directly over the top.
Next, slowly pour the ginger ale into the glass.
Garnish your drink with cherries. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
How To Make An Alcoholic Shirley Temple?
If you prefer a Dirty Shirley, simply pour one ounce vodka over the ice prior to adding the grenadine and ginger ale. Garnish with maraschino cherries and a sliced lime. Stir and enjoy!
Or
Switch out the ginger ale for 6 ounces of pink moscato champagne for an adult version of this fizzy sweet drink.
What To Use In Place Of Grenadine?
Although, true grenadine is not cherry-flavored, in a pinch, you could use the heavy cherry syrup from the maraschino cherries jar, which would be similar to Rose’s grenadine. You may also use pomegranate juice or cherry juice cocktail if needed.
What Is Grenadine?
Brittany Baxter
Grenadine is a vibrant magenta-colored, non-alcoholic syrup made from pomegranate juice and sugar, which is added to a variety of cocktails to enhance flavor.
Grenadine is one of the main ingredients in a Shirley Temple, giving the drink its iconic ruby-red hue as well as its sweet and tart essence.
Grenadine can often be found at your local grocer. Less expensive grenadine syrups such as Rose’s, will often contain high fructose syrup and give your Shirley Temple a cherry-like taste, which is not authentic. However, younger children may prefer the flavor of Rose’s grenadine, over other brands for its sweeter profile.
Check out our favorite grenadine syrups for your next cocktail:
