Many people are introduced to shirley temple cocktails as children. I didn’t learn about them until my mid-twenties, when my then fiancé tended bar theatre patrons. Many of his guests requested this virgin drink of ginger ale and grenadine syrup for their kids. When you’re little, this simple drink with its red hue, bubbles, and maraschino cherry feels so fancy.
When Honest Tea sent me their organic Golden Ginger Ale Honest Fizz soda to try out, I immediately knew I had to recreate a cherry shirley temple that didn’t contain artificial coloring or flavors. My kids are always jealous when I’m shaking up a cocktail for myself because it’s a special, handmade drink. If I’m pairing a handmade cocktail with my dinner, why can’t they have their own virgin cherry shirley temples?
Make sure to enter below for a chance to win 2 cases of Honest Fiz Golden Ginger Ale!
Making a cherry syrup at home is surprisingly easy, especially when I don’t have to pit the cherries. Cue frozen dark red cherries to the rescue! Just a handful of ingredients and about 20 minutes of simmering yield a deep, dark red cherry mixture that only needs a quick dance in blender. I did sneak in a bit of balsamic vinegar because you know I love the combination of sweet and tart.
First of all, I have to show off this totally cool pitcher I discovered at my thrift store. It was a completely frivolous purchase, but I could resist. I love tarnished metal and the delicate looking glass. It even came with a set of six tiny glasses and saucers. I’ll be a pitcher of Vietnamese iced coffee would look amazing in this pitcher!
Once the balsamic cherry puree has cooled, add 1/4 cup to a pitcher along with 24 ounces of ginger ale (two cans of Honest Fizz Ginger Ale). Toss in some ice cubes along with lime slices and fresh or frozen cherries. I love carbonated drinks, but I don’t always care for the calories that come with them. I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty Honest Fiz Golden Ginger Ale is. It’s made with organic stevia (natural sweetener from stevia leaf) and organic erythritol (a natural sugar alcohol) so there’s no calories and no room for guilt.
Pour into glasses and garnish with a squeeze of lime and frozen cherries. Serve to the kids in fancy glasses they can feel fancy too!
Balsamic Cherry Puree
A simple, but flavorful puree is great in cocktails or in sauces.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c frozen cherries (approx 8 oz)
- 1/2 c water
- 1/3 c sugar
- 2 T balsamic vinegar
Instructions
In small saucepan, add cherries, water, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until the cherries are soft and the liquid has thickened considerably (approximately 10-12 minutes).
Add balsamic vinegar and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Allow to cool slightly and blend until smooth with a stick blender or in a traditional blender.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within a week.
TWO lucky readers will each win 2 cases of organic Golden Ginger Ale Honest Fizz to make your own shirley temples! Enter using the widget below.
Thanks Honest Tea for sending me a sampling of Honest Fizz!
I love anything really.. I love Virgin Daquris
I like root beer.
I like virgin piña coladas!
I’m really into OJ
Great recipe – thank you! I'm in a stage where fruit-infused water is becoming a favorite of mine!
Smoothies, gotta love some smoothies haha. I'm not much of an alcohol drinker.
Ginger ale!
Raspberry flavored iced tea.
This seems like an awesome drink, quite qorthy od the vessel you placed it in.
Virgin daiquiris are my favorite, but I also love a good Shirley Temple!
Arnold Palmer
Love Ice tea
This looks really yummy! I love fizzy drinks, so would love to try this!
My recent post “Fancy Nancy, The Musical” at Bay Area Children’s Theatre
I love ice tea
During the summer time we love to make virgin Pina Coladas
My favorite non alcoholic drink is Cherry Pepsi.
I love Cherry Coke.
I love ice tea and virgin Pina Coladas in the summer
CI is cherry limeade.
My recent post little SqueezeMe Giveaway
My favorite drink is iced tea.
A cold, refreshing STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI with whipped cream is my fave Summer non-alcoholic drink!
Give me a Shirley Temple with some cherries anyday!
I love a Rum and Coke minus the Rum of course..lol
My favorite drink is anything my husband is whipping up in the blender. He's always blending fresh fruit, juice and ice for us to enjoy after a workout.
I love to drink shirley temples as a kid and now as an adult
My favorite non-alcoholic drink is iced tea.
I love virgin margaritas, i.e. smoothies. 🙂
My favorite non alcoholic drink is an iced Chai tea latte 🙂 yummy!
love a shirley temple
I love virgin daiquiris.
I like fizzy, sparkling drinks. Ginger Ale is a favorite of mine.
My favorite is definitely ice tea-i love it anyway i can get it!
I like a Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri.
My favorite is cream soda!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
I love jasmine tea.
sweet tea
Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri.
Organic lemonade and ice tea.
My favorite non alcoholic drink has always been ginger ale.
We love Shirley Temple. Yumm.
I love peach tea
I love cranberry mango juice!
My favorite non-alcoholic drinks are Ice Tea and Cherry Lemonade.
My favorite drink is a virgin bloody mary
I like good, old-fashioned lemonade. 🙂
I love lemonade of all kinds. I am always choosing different flavors of lemonade.
I love virgin mary's. Mocktails are a great summer drink that the whole family can enjoy.
My favorite Is sweet tea.
In summer I love Virgin Mojitos. Something about the mint is very refreshing.
I love green tea, ginger ale and coconut 🙂
Thank You for the chance
Pina Coladas without the rum.
I really like strawberry lemonade.
I like lemonade mixed with lemon lime soda, and add a little vanilla extract.
Raspberry Lemonade!
I love raspberry iced tea.
Awesome! I love this so much…