A classic non-alcoholic drink named after the child actress, made with ginger ale, grenadine, and orange juice. Beloved by all ages.
TonicDB editorial guide
A Shirley Temple is a sweet, fruit-forward highball in which orange juice gives the grenadine more body and ginger ale supplies the lift. The drink is simple, but keeping the soda cold and lively prevents it from tasting like flat fruit punch.
Add the orange juice and grenadine to an ice-filled glass, top with well-chilled ginger ale, and stir only enough to combine the red syrup from the bottom. Pouring the soda last preserves more carbonation than mixing everything vigorously in advance.
Use a tall glass with plenty of fresh ice and add the cherry at the end. Serve immediately: the balance depends on cold temperature and bubbles, both of which fade quickly once the drink is built.
A full ounce of grenadine makes a distinctly sweet drink, and some brands are sweeter than others. Measure it rather than free-pouring, and avoid repeated stirring, which flattens the ginger ale without making the syrup mix any better.
For a less sweet version, begin with half an ounce of grenadine and add more after tasting. A squeeze of fresh lime also sharpens the orange and ginger while keeping the recognizable Shirley Temple character.
These notes explain how to execute and adapt the recipe shown above. Ingredients and serving traditions vary, so taste and adjust thoughtfully.
Contributed by @alfg