Shirley Temple Black
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Author Notes: This is an adult soda or aperitif that is perfect for sipping during the holidays as a counterpoint to rich and heavy food. Truly it could be served any time of year if a very light cocktail is desired. It's sweet but not saccharine, and has a bitter edge that makes it nicely refreshing. It reminds me of a Shirley Temple, but all grown-up! Aperol makes it less boozy than Campari (about 1% vs. 2% alcohol by volume in the final cocktail); either works well. For a non-alcoholic version, freshly pressed pink grapefruit juice would be a perfect substitute. I prefer an added hit of bitters in mine, but let your tastebuds decide for you. Cheers!
Note: Thanks to Ryan Magarian, co-creator of Aviation Gin and bartender/mixologist extraordinaire for telling me how he makes grenadine. - hardlikearmour
Food52 Review: In spite of the fact that I coerced a juvenile (my 11-year-old daughter, Eliza) to assist in the shake, shake, shaking of the homemade grenadine, I must report that this is a wholly sophisticated adult sipper. The color -- supplied by both the sugared-up pomegranate juice and the Campari -- is as festive on a cold holiday evening as it would be on a hot summer's one. The drink starts out refreshing, is sweet in the middle, and ends with that distinctly Italian bitter finish. Eliza had a straight Shirley Temple and I had a second one of these. - cheese1227
Serves 2
Shirley Temple Black
- 1 3/4 cup soda water
- 3 tablespoons Aperol or Campari
- 2 tablespoons Simplest Homemade Grenadine
- 1 tablespoon freshly pressed lime juice
- 2 to 4 drops orange bitters (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Lime wheels (optional)
- Combine soda water, Aperol or Campari, grenadine, and lime juice in a 2-cup glass measure. Stir gently to mix. Taste and add orange bitters or an extra splash of soda water if desired. Divide between 2 glasses, each with a few cubes of ice. Serve each with a lime wheel for garnish if you're feeling fancy.
Simplest Homemade Grenadine
- 1 cup 100% pomegranate juice, room temperature
- 1 cup evaporated cane or granulated sugar
- Combine pomegranate juice with sugar in a pint jar or other container with a tight fitting lid. Shake, shake, shake, until the sugar has dissolved. Transfer to a bottle if desired. Refrigerate. Makes about 1 1/3 cups grenadine. Keeps at least 1 week refrigerated.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Pomegranates
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about 1 month ago sansan123
Loved this. Didn't have any pomegranate juice so used cranberry/pome instead. Worked fine
about 1 month ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Sounds delish! I bet the POM with mango would be good, too!
about 1 month ago actucker17
I have to have those glasses! Where are they from?
about 1 month ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
I'd send an email to the editors and ask -- I'd bet they can point you in the right direction.
5 months ago gingerroot
I'm late to this party, but love everything about it nonetheless.
5 months ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
You're welcome to any party, late or otherwise!
6 months ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Sounds scrumptious. Definitely going to give this a try. LOVE the grenadine instructions - super easy!
6 months ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Thanks, mrsL! The grenadine is ridiculously easy, and it maintains a nice fresh flavor.
6 months ago wssmom
This is soooo right up my alley!!! Lovely!!!
6 months ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Thank you, wssmom! The color from the grenadine and Aperol or Campari is particularly lovely.
6 months ago Lizthechef
With my back tweaked, I am so ready for one of these - even if my back was OK.
6 months ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Hope your back is feeling better today! It's not a very stiff drink, but I find it refreshing.
6 months ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I love the name and the cocktail/apertif. I love making homemade grenadine, I use it to make pink lemonade for the kids. Making this tonight!
6 months ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
I got the recipe for the grenadine recently while chatting with Mr. Magarian at Oven & Shaker. I made a batch for Thanksgiving to mix with sparkling apple juice for the kids, and had plenty left over. I tried incorporating it into some harder drinks, but just wasn't happy with any of them - they all just seemed too heavy. Then I decided to mix it into a soda with a little lime and bitters after I'd sampled a few cocktails - BINGO! I just played with proportions and adding just a hint of booze to the mix, and ended up with exactly what I was looking for.
6 months ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I found a recipe online a while back it's basically the same as the one you posted, I bought a bottle of local home made grenadine and didn't like it, it's spiced (cloves) and I intensely dislike cloves. The homemade stuff is heavier than the bottled but I think it tastes better but I can see it not mixing well with some hard drinks. Your recipe is light and I think the perfect venue for the homemade grenadine,
6 months ago Adrian V. Mabon
Being the Shirley Temple fan that I am I discovered her 1st husband was John Agar so I suppose if you transform that drink into a gelatin shot thickened with Agar -Agar one will have invented the " Shirley Temple Agar Black" : ) The home made grenadine sounds awesome!
6 months ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Very clever! I've got some agar agar powder in the cupboard...
6 months ago EmilyC
Brilliant -- the homemade grenadine, the soda itself, and the name. Love this!
6 months ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Thanks, EmC! I have to give partial credit for the name to aargersi.