My kids knew how to clink glasses before they could pour their own drinks and I believe that “cheers” was one of my daughter’s first words. I know what that sounds like, but seriously, we’re just really into celebrating stuff around here. Holidays are a big deal and special drinks go hand in hand with holidays and special meals, right? And birthdays and Friday night movie night and Wednesday… Anyway, I digress.
So it went like this (and still does), when Mommy got wine, the kids got THIS Shirley Temple drink! Little did I know that it was to become a bit of a legend. Somehow this drink got dubbed “Mommy’s special drink.”
I guess that was meant to distinguish it from other drinks that mommy gave them that weren’t so special (like boring ol’ milk and juice); much in the same way that wine was known as “mommy juice” in our house for many years. And the name Shirley Temple wouldn’t mean much to them anyway…
Kids Cocktail recipes
This recipe was an attempt to make a Shirley Temple Drink when I couldn’t exactly recall what it contained and was trying to use stuff I had on hand. I had made them when I worked at restaurants, but that was a number of years ago, so it was a little foggy. This is my cloudy memory version.
When you’re making special drinks for kids, you want simple mocktail recipes because you have to do actual work and mix it. And lord knows we don’t need extra work. But because it’s not plain ‘ol juice or milk, they’re going to think it’s “fancy”! I think it’s the grenadine that really makes them so darn happy; grenadine makes me happy too! But if you serve it in a tall parfait glass and garnish it with orange slices and maraschino cherries, they are totally wowed!
Mocktails for kids
Like I said, I’m sure my kids have no idea who Shirley Temple was and probably don’t really care. Although she was even waaay before my time, I only knew about her because my Mom told me who she was. Yet I don’t even think I ever got to try a Shirley Temple drink when I was a kid. We didn’t often go out for dinner that often when I was growing up and certainly not to restaurants that served mocktails to kids! Geez… I was lucky to get a coke! So mine are so lucky that I make them special mocktails for kids!
But being that I’m a foodie, my kids are a bit spoiled. They totally adore this kids’ party drink AND so do their friends, apparently! I recently had one of my 11 year old daughter’s friends ask me if I could make her ‘that special drink’ again. I honestly don’t even remember making it for her in the past, but it obviously resonated with her.
New Years drinks for kids
New Years eve is coming up and you can bet these simple, yet impressive kids’ cocktails will be on the menu at our celebration. So, if you’re looking for famous mocktail recipes with grenadine, this is THE ONE!
And if you’re looking for a snack to go along with this drink, Mommy’s Special Drink goes perfectly with Mommy’s Special Popcorn!
And here’s another non-alcoholic drink idea for serving a crowd: Sparkling Strawberry Punch
Shirley Temple Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1 part sparkling water/lemon lime flavored carbonated spring water
- 1 part five alive or orange juice * I used Five Alive - you can also use a mixed berry juice
- 1 part gingerale or ginger beer *Ginger beer makes it spicier than gingerale
- 2 tbsp grenadine *add more for desired level of sweetness
garnish
- 2 maraschino cherries
- orange slice
Instructions
- Mix 1 part sparkling water, 1 part five alive or orange juice and 1 part gingerale or ginger beer together. Add grenadine (stir if desired)
- Garnish with maraschino cherries on skewer and orange slice. Serve with ice!
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