The History of the Shirley Temple

Back
10th September 2024

Jump to

In a bid to encourage those that have so far managed to complete two weeks of Dry January, we are taking a look back at the classic mocktail inspired by a child movie star. The Shirley Temple has a rich history and an enduring legacy, making it more than just a child's drink.

TL;DR

  • The Shirley Temple mocktail, created in the early 1930s, was inspired by the famous child actress.
  • Although multiple places claim to be its origin, the drink became a hit despite Shirley Temple's personal dislike for it.
  • Modern variations like the Dirty Shirley Temple and Shirley Temple Black cater to both kids and adults.
  • The mocktail remains a beloved non-alcoholic beverage, celebrated for its charm and sweetness.

The Story of the Shirley Temple

Famed for her beautiful blonde ringlets and infectious charm, Shirley Temple began her acting career at an incredibly young age. By the time she celebrated her tenth birthday in 1932, she had already been in the film industry for an astonishing seven years. On this special occasion, while dining at Chasen’s restaurant in Beverly Hills with her parents and friends, the young actress found herself desiring a fancy drink like the ones the adults were enjoying. Witnessing her wish, the staff concocted a non-alcoholic adaptation: a sweet combination of ginger ale and grenadine, adorned with the all-important maraschino cherry. However, it is said that Shirley found the drink overly sweet and deemed it a ‘saccharine sweet, icky drink’.

There is some debate regarding the true origin of the Shirley Temple mocktail. While Chasen's restaurant claims to be the birthplace, the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel have also laid claim to its creation. Despite these conflicting stories, one thing remains clear—Shirley Temple was served this drink frequently, regardless of her personal dislike for it.

In 1988, a company attempted to commercialize the beverage by bottling it under her name. Shirley Temple promptly took them to court, arguing that the use of her name without permission was an invasion of privacy. Despite her distaste for the drink, her legacy lives on through this iconic non-alcoholic party beverage, beloved by children and adults alike for its sweetness and charm.

The Modern Shirley Temple

Over the years, the classic Shirley Temple has seen various adaptations and modern twists. The simplicity of the original recipe has made it versatile, lending itself to numerous alterations.

Dirty Shirley Temple

One of the first variations bartenders created was the Dirty Shirley Temple—a grown-up version of the original. By simply adding a shot of vodka or rum to the mix, this cocktail transforms into a sweet, boozy delight while retaining the nostalgic flavors of its non-alcoholic counterpart.

Other Variations

As with many classic cocktails, mixologists have experimented with different ingredients to put their own spin on the Shirley Temple. Some popular substitutions include:

Pardon the interruption

Did you know that you can become a member for free, taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. You can save your My Bar ingredients, make tasting notes, have personalised Tried and Want to try lists and more.

  • Lemonade: Swap out the ginger ale for refreshing lemonade for a tangier taste.
  • Lemon-Lime Soda: Using lemon-lime soda adds a citrusy kick while keeping the drink bubbly and sweet.
  • Orange Juice: A splash of orange juice can add a fruity depth to the mocktail.

Shirley Temple Black

One of the most distinct variations is the Shirley Temple Black, named after Shirley's married name. This concoction is most definitely for adults, featuring Kahlua, grenadine, and lemonade. Despite its divergence from the original, it retains the signature cherry, paying homage to the classic mocktail.

Shrink Expand recipe card

Highball glass

Microbadges

15 key ingredients
Cocktail Of The Day
Invented
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1930)
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lemon Juice
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
83 calories
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lemon, cocktail cherry
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-alcoholic
Details
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Classic
Stirred

The Shirley Temple cocktail is a non-alcoholic beverage that has been enjoyed by both adults and children for decades. Named after the famous child actress, this mocktail is believed to have originated in the 1930s during a visit by the actress to the famous Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood. The classic recipe consists of lemon juice, ginger ale, and a splash of grenadine, giving it a sweet and tangy flavor profile. The bright red color and fruity taste make it a popular choice at children's parties and can also be made with different variations of lemon-lime soda and grenadine. This refreshing and easy-to-make drink has stood the test of time and is still a fan favorite to this day.

Ingredients

Method
How to make a Shirley Temple

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Pour all ingredients into a highball glass and stir gently
Garnish with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry and serve
View the full recipe

Shirley Temple's Legacy

Shirley Temple may not have been a fan of her eponymous drink, but there's no denying the impact it has had on the world of beverages. The Shirley Temple mocktail has become a staple at parties, offering a delightful non-alcoholic option that appeals to both children and adults who prefer a sweeter concoction. Its versatility and charm have kept it relevant through the decades, proving that some classics never fade.

Thank you, Shirley, for your contribution to both the cinematic world and the mocktail industry. Your name lives on not only through your iconic films but also through a beloved drink that continues to bring joy to people of all ages.

More to explore

The History of the Mint Julep

The mint julep, a refreshing concoction predominantly associated with the Southern United States, ha...

How to Make the Perfect Vodka Sour: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why we love the Vodka Sour Cocktail Because it’s like that friend who always shows up to the party r...

Cheers to You: Craft Your Special DIY New Year Drinks

Celebrate the arrival of the New Year in style by crafting your own unique drinks. DIY drinks allow...

Tag cloud

Explore more with our randomised tag cloud.

Bartender's top tip

Keep your cocktail costs down. If you have favourite spirits or ingredients to make your cocktails, buy bigger bottles to keep your costs lower.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get tips straight into your inbox.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go