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Looking for a killer mocktail for those times when you’re the designated driver? Well our Shirley Temple recipe has got you covered!
A Shirley Temple is one of the most iconic mocktails of all time – it’s refreshing and it looks great too!
In this article, we’re going to go over the Shirley Temple mocktail, and also get into the Dirty Shirley Temple recipe!
Let’s get mixing!
What is a Shirley Temple?
A Shirley temple is a mocktail made from Ginger Ale and a plash of Grenadine. It’s garnished with a maraschino cherry and served in a Highball Glass.
Many modern-day versions of this mocktail substitute the Ginger Ale for Lemon and lime fizzy drink, or sometimes a combination of the two.
Click here to jump directly to the recipe!
What is a Mocktail?
A mocktail is basically a non-alcoholic drink that’s typically made to look as fancy as a regular alcohol-based cocktail.
Why is it called a Shirley Temple?
The mocktail is named after a former child actress who was Hollywood’s number one draw between 1934 and 1938. Impressive.
The mocktail is thought to have been created by a bartender at a West Hollywood restaurant called Chasens to serve Shirley Temple herself.
With everyone else drinking and a child actress now living and working in an adult ecosystem, it’s thought to have been an attempt was made to make her feel more adult in those business dinners.
Origin Debated
However, the origin of the mocktail is a debated…by Shirley Temple herself.
In a 1986 interview with Public Radio, she told a different origin story of the drink:
“….. those were created in the probably middle 1930s by the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood and I had nothing to do with it. But, all over the world, I am served that. People think it’s funny. I hate them. Too sweet!”
Sweet indeed! A perfect opportunity to take a look at what’s actually in our Shirley Temple recipe.
What’s in a Shirley Temple?
Before we get into the Shirley Temple recipe, let’s take a quick look at what’s actually in a Shirley Temple drink.
…Or click here to jump straight to the recipe.
Ginger Ale
The core ingredient, according to the original recipe at least, is Ginger Ale – not Ginger Beer.
Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale are two very different beverages.
Well, they both have Ginger flavouring, but they each have a completely different taste.
The difference between them is that Ginger Beer is brewed and fermented, whilst Ginger Ale is actually flavoured carbonated water.
This makes Ginger Beer stronger and contains a slightly spicy finish and after taste.
For Ginger Beer, we recommend:
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For Ginger Ale, we recommend:
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Grenadine
Grenadine is used to add a little colour to a cocktail – to give it a more exotic look (Tequila Sunrise anyone???).
And as strange as it might sound, the flavour complements Ginger Ale. Ginger and Pomegranate go, who knew?
What is Grenadine?
Grenadine is a non-alcoholic bar syrup that’s traditionally use to give a cocktail a red or pink tint and is made from pomegranate.
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Cocktails with Grenadine
What are Maraschino Cherries?
Maraschino Cherries are preserved, sweetened cherries that regularly used as a garnish in a variety of different cocktails.
In short, they can make a cocktail pop.
For Maraschino Cherries, we recommend:
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Shirley Temple Variations
Despite the Shirley Temple recipe being a classic, there are some day variations to bring the drink a little more up to date.
Some of the more modern recipes call for Lemon and Lime soda (such as Sprite or 7Up) instead or Ginger Ale. Some even mix the two.
…weird flex, but I’m sure it works.
That said, you can’t beat the classic for me.
What do you need to make a Shirley Temple?
Now that we know what goes into a Shirley Temple, let’s take a look at the Cocktail Equipment and Glassware you’ll need to make it.
Bar Spoon
Bar Spoons are great for cocktails you’re suppose to stir, rather than shake in a cocktail shaker.
Sure, you can probably use any spoon to stir your drink but these bar spoons are the real deal. It’s the proper equipment to get the job right.
- They’re long enough to get to the bottom of any cocktail to allow you to properly stir.
- They have a twist spiral design that allows for a better grip.
- They’re made out of stainless steel, so they’re durable, corrosion resistant, and easy to clean.
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Highball Glass
Highball Glasses are the most common glasses in the cocktail world. You can put most cocktails in there from The Long Island Iced Tea to a Bay Breeze.
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Shirley Temple Recipe
Now let’s get to the Shirley Temple recipe!
Shirley Temple
Tweet this Recipe
Share on FacebookIngredients
- Ginger Ale 200ml / 7 oz
- Grenadine 30ml / 1oz
- 1 maraschino cherry to garnish
Recipe
- Add ice to a Highball Glass.
- Pour in Grenadine.
- Pour in Ginger Ale
- Gently Stir with a Bar Spoon
Dirty Shirley Temple
If you like the sound of a Shirley Temple, but wanna boozy version there is of course a Dirty Shirley Temeple.
What is a Dirty Shirley Temple?
With a Dirty Shirley Temple, you add Vodka into the mix.
Vodka
We compared 12 different brands of Vodka and determined that Smirnoff was the overall best option. Given the current climate with Russia, that may seem like a questionable choice, but Smirnoff isn’t made in Russia, it’s made all over the world.
It actually has a history of Russian persecution and the creators were forced to flee Russia.
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Dirty Shirley Temple Recipe
Dirty Shirley Temple
Tweet this Recipe Share on FacebookIngredients
- Vodka 30ml / 1 oz
- Ginger Ale 200ml / 7 oz
- Grenadine 10ml / .3oz
- 1 Maraschino Cherry to garnish
Recipe
- Add Ice, Vodka, Ginger Ale, and Grenadine to a Cocktail Shaker.
- Shake well.
- Pour into a Highball Glass.
- Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry.
Want More Cocktail Recipes?
Do you love our Shirley Temple recipe, but want to try something a little different? We’ve got you covered!
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