The History and Evolution of the Iconic Shirley Temple Cocktail Drink

The History and Evolution of the Shirley Temple Drink

The Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic mixed drink that has been popular with kids and adults alike for over 80 years. Consisting of ginger ale, a splash of grenadine, and garnished with a maraschino cherry, the bubbly concoction was named after the famous child star Shirley Temple. While the exact origins of the drink are disputed, it rose to prominence during the Prohibition era as a fun mocktail that could be enjoyed in speakeasies. Since then, it has become a staple offering at restaurants, bars, and parties.

The Possible Origins

There are a few different stories about who exactly invented the Shirley Temple drink. Some say it was created by a bartender at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki in the 1920s or 30s to serve Shirley Temple during a visit. Others claim it was first made at Chasen's restaurant in Hollywood by a bartender named Cherry Boone. The most credible story credits the origin to a bartender at The Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles. He reportedly concocted the drink to serve the child star Shirley Temple when she dined there with her family in the 1930s. While the true inventor may be lost to history, it's clear the drink was named and popularized because of the famous actress it was allegedly created for.

Popularity During Prohibition

The Shirley Temple took off in popularity during Prohibition in the United States from 1920 to 1933. With alcohol banned, speakeasies popped up in cities across the country to serve liquor illegally. To cater to their underage customers, speakeasy owners devised fun "mocktails" like the Shirley Temple that could be enjoyed by patrons of all ages. Serving the non-alcoholic ginger ale and grenadine drink allowed them to appear more inclusive to families. The Shirley Temple allowed kids and teetotalers to feel like they were part of the exciting speakeasy culture.

The Standard Recipe

The original recipe for a Shirley Temple includes just a few simple ingredients:

• Ginger ale
• Grenadine syrup
• Maraschino cherry garnish

To make one, fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in ginger ale until it is about 3/4 full. Add a splash of grenadine syrup and gently stir to create a swirl effect. Drop in a maraschino cherry or two and serve with a straw. The grenadine slowly drips through the bubbly ginger ale to create a tasty and aesthetically pleasing drink. Other garnishes like an orange slice or extra cherries can also customize the drink.

Alternative Versions

While the original recipe sticks to ginger ale and grenadine, Shirley Temples have spawned many creative variations over the years:

• Royal Shirley Temple: Substitute lemon-lime soda like 7-Up for the ginger ale.
• Arnold Palmer Shirley Temple: Use half lemonade and half ginger ale.
• Orange Shirley Temple: Use orange soda like Fanta instead of ginger ale.
• Spicy Shirley Temple: Add a few dashes of root beer for a spiced cola flavor.

Endless combinations of clear sodas and fruit syrups can create unique Shirley Temple recipes. Customize them to suit any taste by experimenting with different mix-ins and garnishes.

How to Make the Perfect Shirley Temple

Use Quality Ingredients

A Shirley Temple may seem simple, but quality ingredients are key. Splurge on a good ginger ale like Vernors, Canada Dry, or Seagram's. Opt for real grenadine rather than artificial syrups which will lend better flavor. Look for brands like Rose's Grenadine that contain pomegranate juice. And garnish with luxurious maraschino cherries like Luxardo brand rather than neon red artificially dyed cherries. Using fresh, natural components elevates the drink.

Nail the Grenadine to Ginger Ale Ratio

The perfect ratio for a balanced Shirley Temple is about 3 parts ginger ale to 1 part grenadine. Add too much grenadine and the drink will be too sweet. Too little and the grenadine won't drizzle nicely through the ginger ale for that signature swirl effect. For a standard 8 ounce serving, aim for about 1/4 cup grenadine and 3/4 cup ginger ale adjusted to taste.

Use a Tall Glass

Serve Shirley Temples in tall glasses like a highball rather than short, wide glasses. The tall height allows the components to remain nicely layered. The narrow circumference also lets you see the grenadine drizzle dramatically down through the bubbles. A short glass will mix everything together too quickly into a pinkish hue rather than vertical stripes.

Add Grenadine Last

Wait to add the grenadine until after you've poured in the ginger ale rather than mixing it all together first. Pouring it slowly over the back of a spoon into the filled glass gives you the most control. The ginger ale should still be bubbling for optimal fizz and color contrast. Gently stir just once or twice with a straw to combine.

Enjoy with a Straw

Sipping through a straw is the best way to enjoy a Shirley Temple. Using a straw lets you first taste the strong ginger ale notes before getting to the sweet grenadine layer. You can also use the straw to mix the components together as you drink to your taste preferences.

Why the Shirley Temple Drink Remains a Classic

Nostalgic Novelty

There's something novel about sipping on a non-alcoholic vintage cocktail like a Shirley Temple. It harkens back to retro diners and soda fountains. The drink has now spanned over eight decades while retaining its signature look, taste, and name. Even several generations later, it remains recognizable and comes with a big dose of nostalgia.

Customization Options

The simplicity of the Shirley Temple makes it endlessly adaptable. Bartenders can riff on the basic template with virtually any clear soda, fruit syrup, and garnishes. Customers can also order it just to their taste - extra sweet, extra fizzy, topped with extra cherries, and so on. The ability to customize makes it a crowd-pleaser.

Kid-Friendly Appeal

Shirley Temples appeal to the young and young at heart. The sweet soda flavors and lack of alcohol make it a safe beverage to serve children. Kids enjoy feeling "grown up" sipping a mocktail drink out of a fancy glass. Adults also appreciate having a festive non-alcoholic beverage option for designated drivers and non-drinkers at the table.

Bright, Attractive Presentation

The visual appeal of a properly made Shirley Temple is half the fun. The bubbly ginger ale topped with a swirl of deep red grenadine is eye-catching in the glass. It looks celebratory and festive when dressed up with cherries and garnishes. The striking colors and textures make it a drink that's fun to drink as well as photograph and share.

Shirley Temples: Still Sparking Joy 80+ Years Later

Despite its remarkably long history, the whimsical Shirley Temple drink remains a timeless classic. Each sip transports drinkers back to the glamor of vintage Hollywood with its origins in the 1930s. Yet it also remains wildly popular with kids and creative bartenders developing new twists. The Shirley Temple's longevity proves its universal appeal across generations. This bubbly, fruity mocktail is sure to keep delighting drinkers for decades more.

FAQs

Who invented the Shirley Temple drink?

The exact inventor is disputed, but it was likely created by a bartender in the 1930s to serve child star Shirley Temple. Some say it was invented at Hollywood's Brown Derby restaurant or Honolulu's Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

What's in a Shirley Temple drink?

A Shirley Temple contains ginger ale, grenadine syrup, and maraschino cherries for garnish. The standard ratio is 3 parts ginger ale to 1 part grenadine.

Is there alcohol in a Shirley Temple?

No, a Shirley Temple is non-alcoholic. It was created as a fun "mocktail" for kids during the Prohibition era in speakeasies.

Are there different variations of Shirley Temples?

Yes! You can create many twists by substituting different sodas like lemon-lime soda or orange soda for ginger ale. You can also customize garnishes.

Why is it called a Shirley Temple?

The drink was named after the famous child actress Shirley Temple. It was originally invented for her to enjoy as a non-alcoholic beverage when she dined at restaurants with her family.