Shirley Temple Floats

I don't drink alcohol for religious reasons (although I still use it to cook with occasionally), so I am fond of non-alcholic cocktails and mixed drinks. I particularly like a nice, cold Shirley Temple, especially when it's warm outside.

A Shirley Temple can be made with ginger ale, 7-Up, or Sprite. It may or may not contain orange juice. Grenadine provides the lovely pink color, and a maraschino cherry tops it off.

My Shirley Temple cocktails usually consist of Sprite (my favorite) and maraschino cherry juice/brine rather than the grenadine. And I always toss in a few cherries. (For another great summery drink, add some fresh lime juice for a Cherry Lime Rickey.)

As a little girl, I would often stay overnight at my grandma's house. She would almost always make us a float (ice cream soda) out of vanilla ice cream, Maraschino cherries and their brine, and Sprite or 7-Up. Basically--a Shirley Temple Float.

(we love how pretty it looks from the side)

On Sunday we had them for dessert. It was the first time my kids and my husband had ever tasted one. And I would be lying if I didn't confess that we've managed to have one nearly every day this week. My little girl and my husband can't seem to get enough. (This makes me happy, of course.)

Shirley Temple Float
Serves 6-8 depending on size of float

Ingredients:
2 liters of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
1 large or 2 small bottles maraschino cherries
1/2 gallon premium vanilla ice cream (store bought or homemade)

Instructions:
Place a few scoops of vanilla ice cream in a tall glass, pour a tablespoon or so of the maraschino brine over the top. Add the soda. Top with a few maraschino cherries. Print this post