Shirley Temple

It occurred to me while reading that I have never had a Shirley Temple: the famed non-alcoholic drink favored by children. As a kid, I would simply order a fountain beverage and it never occurred to me to get a mixed drink. Likely as those are not listed in the menu.

Firstly, I had to look up what ingredients are even in a Shirley Temple. It's a simple concoction made a bit complex by alterations. Typically it's lemon/lime soda like Sprite or 7-up mixed with grenadine: a cherry syrup. It didn't sound very appealing. If you already have lemon and lime, then adding cherry seems excessive. Well, I was tiring of my standard summer beverages so I bought the ingredients to make it at home.

Surprisingly quite good! Too much cherry flavor initially but easily adjusted to an ideal ratio. I even added a maraschino cherry to really class it up. I prefer it with Sprite over 7-up. A variation swaps out the soda with ginger ale. That version I did not enjoy however.

I don't imagine I would ever order this drink but it's easy enough to make at home that I'll have it again soon. Tom Collins, you're next!