This Is Probably the Most Famous Mocktail Ever (2024)

The Shirley Temple is probably the most famous mocktail ever.This classic mix of ginger ale and grenadine with a squeeze of lemon or lime topped with maraschino cherries is believed to be the world’s first mocktail. And it’s still alive and well today.

The drink is named for Shirley Temple, the child actress, singer and dancer who starred in many movies and television shows during the 1930s and ’40s and later become a U.S. diplomat and ambassador. It’s possible the drink debuted at the Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles—a claim made by Ms. Temple herself—although other establishments also lay claim to the beverage’s provenance.

Often viewed as a child’s drink, the Shirley Temple is a popular choice for anyone seeking a tasty nonalcoholic beverage. That’s why the Shirley Temple is a fixture at bars, whether it’s on the official mocktail menu or not. Of course, like all drinks, the quality can vary. Make your Shirley Temple with cheap bottled grenadine, sweet-and-sour and neon-red maraschino cherries, and you’re bound to create a sickly sweet concoction that belongs squarely on the kid’s menu. But use homemade grenadine, fresh citrus, and garnish it with high-quality cherries, and you’ll have a well-made example fit for discerning drinkers.

Over the years, bartenders have found ways to tweak the Shirley Temple recipe. Some replace the ginger ale with ginger syrup and club soda, while others skip the ginger entirely and opt for lemon-lime soda or lemonade. You can also make this mocktail a co*cktail, often dubbed the Dirty Shirley, by dosing it with vodka or another spirit of your choice.

Regardless of which route you choose to go, the drink has staying power. It’s the familiarity and ease of order that are the keys to the Shirley Temple’s longevity. Ms. Temple herself, however, was not a fan of the drink. She thought it was too sweet. But perhaps even she would have enjoyed the popular elixir if she’d tried this recipe, which features good grenadine, fresh lime juice and good cherries.

The History and Secrets of the Shirley Temple

This Is Probably the Most Famous Mocktail Ever (1)

1/2 ounce grenadine
1/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
5 ounces ginger ale, chilled
Garnish:Luxardo maraschino cherries

Steps

Fill a Collins glass with cubed ice.
Add the grenadine and lime juice.
Top with the ginger ale and gently stir to combine.
Garnish with two or three skewered Luxardo maraschino cherries.

This Is Probably the Most Famous Mocktail Ever (2)

Don’t Call Me Shirley

14 ratings

Can I Use Different Mixers?

Ginger ale is the prototypical lengthener for a Shirley Temple. It’s a great option. There are other superb ones, as well. For more ginger wallop, you could use a high-quality ginger beer. For a complementary hit of citrus, you could use good lemonade. And, if you are using homemade grenadine and want those flavors to shine, soda water is a solid solution.

Are All Cherries Alike?

Fire-engine red maraschino cherries have their place. They’re loaded with nostalgia, and, yes, they’re charming in a Shirley Temple because of that connection with the past. Still, they are probably put to better use on an ice cream sundae than in a drink. If you’re bothering to use homemade grenadine and fresh lime juice, you may as well reach for a cherry that tastes like, well, cherries. One primo option is the cherries from Luxardo. They are darker in color, with a deep cherry flavor and a delightful texture.

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FAQs

What is the most popular mocktail? ›

What is the most popular non-alcoholic drink? The most popular mocktail right now is a Shirley Temple. Add cherries to it for a pretty garnish.

Know More ›

Why is the Shirley Temple drink called that? ›

The drink was named after iconic child actress Shirley Temple. Legend has it that when she was out to dinner at a nice restaurant with her parents and other Hollywood types who were all enjoying co*cktails, the bartender made her a special nonalcoholic drink so she could feel fancy too.

What is the most popular non-alcoholic drink in the world? ›

Water is, by far, the most consumed non-alcoholic beverage in the world.

Which mocktail is best in taste? ›

So here are our favorite recipes for delicious non-alcoholic drinks that you'll wanna try ASAP.

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Aug 21, 2024

What was the first mocktail? ›

The Shirley Temple is probably the most famous mocktail ever. This classic mix of ginger ale and grenadine with a squeeze of lemon or lime topped with maraschino cherries is believed to be the world's first mocktail. And it's still alive and well today.

Keep Reading ›

What was Shirley Temple's cause of death? ›

The cause of death, according to her death certificate released on March 3, 2014, was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Temple was a lifelong cigarette smoker but avoided displaying her habit in public because she did not want to set a bad example for her fans.

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What does a Shirley Temple taste like? ›

What Does a Shirley Temple Drink Taste Like? Shirley Temple drinks are typically quite sweet. While the grenadine in this version gives it amazing color and a great pomegranate flavor (tart with a bit of sweetness), the lime balances it out with some acidity.

Read On ›

What was Shirley Temple famous for? ›

Why is Shirley Temple famous? Shirley Temple was an American actress and public official who was an internationally popular child star of the 1930s, best known for sentimental musicals. Temple's popularity was partly seen as a response to the Great Depression.

What do Arabs drink instead of alcohol? ›

Sobia (Arabic: سوبيا) is a cool drink, which is mostly known in the Hejaz, Saudi Arabia and in Egypt mainly during the holy month of Ramadan. In Hijaz, Saudi Arabia, the Sobia is usually made of bread, barley or oats, while in Egypt the drink is produced from rice, coconut powder and dairy products.

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What is the #1 co*cktail in America? ›

1. Margarita. The classic Margarita co*cktail has been one of the most popular co*cktails in America for years and still remains on top. While there are many variations, the traditional recipe consists of tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice.

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What is the healthiest drink in the world? ›

Green tea is generally considered the healthiest beverage globally due to its high levels of nutrients and antioxidants that fight off diseases and keep your organ functioning at its optimum level.

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What is the rarest drink in the world? ›

Billionaire Vodka is the top rarest drink in the world, which provides you satisfaction to different sophisticated individuals. The massive 5-liter bottle extraordinary spirit costs up to $3.7 million. Its motto is “It's good to be the king,” so the user's demand is the essential feature.