Mocktails

Shirley Temple

Grenadine sinks to the bottom and the glass glows from deep red to pale pink. Ginger ale brings a mild spice, a squeeze of lime keeps the sweetness in check, and the cherry on top is the part children and adults both reach for first.

3.3Editors’ rating
Taste3.4
Balance3.3
Easy to make4.9
Popularity60
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  • GlassHighball glass
  • TechniqueBuilt in the glass
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Time2 min
  • StrengthAlcohol-free
  • OriginUnited States, 1930s
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Shirley Temple cocktail

Ingredients

1

Garnish: Cocktail cherries, lime wedge · Ice: Ice cubes

Method

  1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
  2. Pour in the ginger ale and add the lime juice, if using.
  3. Slowly pour the grenadine down the side of the glass so it sinks to the bottom.
  4. Garnish with cocktail cherries and a lime wedge and stir just before drinking.

Watch it made

Shirley Temple

Taste

Sweet and fizzy with gentle ginger spice and red berry notes from the grenadine. The optional lime adds a welcome freshness.

History and origin

The Shirley Temple is named after the American child star Shirley Temple, one of the biggest box office names of the 1930s. Where it was first served is disputed: Chasen's restaurant in Beverly Hills and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu are both credited in popular accounts, and neither claim can be settled.

The idea was simple: a festive drink for a child who could not have a cocktail but wanted to join in. It became one of the best-known alcohol-free drinks in the United States. Shirley Temple herself said in later years that she did not care much for the drink named after her, finding it too sweet. She also objected to its commercial use of her name.

Bartender tips

  • Grenadine made from real pomegranate juice tastes fresher and less artificial than cheap red syrup.
  • For a less sweet drink, use half ginger ale and half soda water.
  • Some recipes use lemon-lime soda instead of ginger ale; it makes the drink sweeter and more citrusy.

Variations

Dirty Shirley
An alcoholic version with a measure of vodka added.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Shirley Temple contain alcohol?

No. The classic Shirley Temple is completely alcohol-free: ginger ale, grenadine and a cherry.

Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda?

Both versions are common. Ginger ale is the older one and a little spicier; lemon-lime soda makes it sweeter.

What is a Dirty Shirley?

A Shirley Temple with vodka added, so no longer alcohol-free.

The perfect sound

1930s Hollywood musical

Sweet innocence and cherry red charm.

  1. On the Good Ship LollipopShirley Temple Spotify YouTube
  2. Over the RainbowJudy Garland Spotify YouTube
  3. Cheek to CheekFred Astaire Spotify YouTube

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