Let’s stroll down the memory lane of my childhood today. Last week, I made the kids a sweet sampling of Shirley Temples in fancy glasses (of course). Perfectly pink and pretty, I realized they would make a fantastic holiday treat and they brought back a lot of sweet childhood memories. All you need is a few simple ingredients to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a classic drink!
Sweet Childhood Memories
These pretties made it up on Instagram last week as a part of a Valentine Shenanigans group share and I was surprised to hear so many people share their own memories of this fizzy classic. Growing up in an isolated Colorado mountain town, we would travel several hours into the city for a weekend supply trip a few times a year (wow…I sound like Laura Ingalls Wilder here…). To be clear, we weren’t in a wagon pulled by mules. We had a cloth interior all-wheel-drive minivan like any respectable middle class family. When I was a kiddo (think 4 or 5), my dad would take me into a restaurant while my mom would shop. He would watch whatever sports event was on the t.v. (booooring) and I would enjoy a Shirley Temple filled with sparkling ice, a red straw, and generously topped with a handful of plump cherries.
& the more cherries, the better!
Those trips were rare but special – memories made savoring the sights, sounds and smells of the city with my family are something I treasure today. Do you ever have such a strong memory of something that you can actually taste it? Shirley Temples are like that for me. Now, as an adult, I still enjoy Shirley Temples with LOADS of cherries and it’s fantastic that I can just reach in the fridge and whip up a glass in a minute flat. We…uh…go through a lot of cherries.
Celebrate Valentines Day with a Classic Drink: You’ll Need
- Fancy glasses (this is a MUST – I love these glasses!)
- Ice (I prefer crushed)
- Lemon-Lime soda
- Grenadine
- Large Maraschino Cherries
Let’s Make It!
- Pour crushed Ice into fancy glasses
- Pour lemon lime soda over ice
- Add a smidgen of grenadine
- Lay on the cherries (the more, the better)
- Cheers!
Did I really need to share a recipe for a Shirley Temple? Probably not. But do you want one now? Probably yes. Will you be happier after taking the first sip? Most definitely. So, this was worth the post. Anytime is a good time for a crisp and sweet Shirley Temple – but I think it’s a great way to celebrate a Valentine’s Day toast, don’t you? Sip away, my friends & until next time, peace, love, & light (after coffee)!
Find more yummy recipes, here!
