Destination Drinks #22: Shirley Temple
The global novel coronavirus pandemic may have grounded us, but we can still enjoy happy hour. This daily series will provide delicious drink recipes for you to try at home. So call your friends for a virtual sip session and traverse the globe, even if it's only in your mind.
Today's non-alcoholic cocktail hails from the USA – Shirley Temple.
What is it?
You don’t have to be a boring old grown-up to get your very own fancy mock cocktail. Even better, this one comes complete with an accompanying maraschino cherry (or two).
Origins
Mixed drinks often have multiple origin theories. The Shirley Temple – named for the eponymous child actress – is no exception. Legend says the exclusive Chasen’s LA restaurant invented the “mocktail” in the 1930s for the precocious young star to drink when out with her adult co-stars. However, the adult Shirley Temple-Black herself said she thought the drink was invented at Hollywood’s Brown Derby restaurant.
You'll need (serves 4)
For the grenadine syrup
8fl oz (250ml) unsweetened pomegranate juice
8 oz (250g) white granulated sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
splash orange blossom water or rose water (optional)
For the Shirley Temple
ice
8fl oz (250ml) ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
1 tbsp grenadine syrup
maraschino cherry
wedge of lime, to serve
Method
For the grenadine syrup
Step 1: Bring the pomegranate juice to a boil over a medium heat. Turn down the heat and stir in the sugar.
Step 2: Bring up the heat for 10–20 minutes, stirring to dissolve the sugar until mixture thickens slightly, being careful not to let it boil over.
Step 3: Take off the heat and stir in the lemon juice (and optional splash of orange blossom or rose water). Let cool for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Pour into a glass container and cover tightly. It will keep in the fridge for up to a month.
For the Shirley Temple
Step 1: Fill a tall glass tumbler with ice cubes.
Step 2: Pour in the ginger ale, lemon-lime soda.
Step 3: Add a tablespoon of grenadine syrup to taste.
Step 4: Top with a maraschino cherry and, if desired, a lime wedge.
Tasting notes
You’re at one of those fancy restaurants. Grandpa Fred is knocking back a Negroni, Grandma Jane’s nursing a Vodka Tonic on the rocks. What’s a kid to order? Milk? Juice? Pshaw. That’s for babies. Big kids drink a Shirley Temple. Or a Roy Rogers (simply substitute cola for the lemon-lime soda). Refreshingly sweet, the flavor complexity comes from the grenadine syrup’s fruity tone. Most commercial varieties are now made with high fructose corn syrup and artificial food coloring. To bring out the original pomegranate flavor, simply make your own grenadine syrup in 20 minutes.
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