Jolly Santa’s Hat Shirley Temple Recipe: Festive Fun in a Glass

Ever wondered how a classic shirley temple could become a festive shirley temple with a magical santa’s hat twist?

Childhood memories burst with vibrant colors and playful sips of this beloved drink.

Sweet cherry grenadine swirls create a cheerful holiday mood.

Kids and adults will adore this whimsical beverage that sparkles with seasonal cheer.

Unexpected garnishes transform an ordinary mocktail into something extraordinary.

Playful presentation makes this drink an instant conversation starter at any celebration.

Chill your glasses and get ready to spread some holiday joy with this delightful concoction!

Why Santas Hat Shirley Temple Is Festive

• Quick and Festive Cocktail Delight
• Recipe requires minimal ingredients and zero complex mixology skills, perfect for home bartenders of all experience levels.
• Non-alcoholic version makes this drink enjoyable for everyone, transforming traditional Shirley Temple into a Christmas-themed celebration.
• Santa hat garnish creates an Instagram-worthy presentation that delights guests and sparks conversation at holiday parties and family gatherings.
• Takes less than 5 minutes to prepare, allowing hosts to quickly create a memorable and cheerful beverage without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You’ll Need for Santas Hat Shirley Temple

• Grenadine: Sweet, bright red syrup that gives the drink its festive color and adds fruity flavor.
• Lemon-Lime Soda: Provides fizzy effervescence and light sweetness to the drink.

• Maraschino Cherry: Bright red fruit that serves as the base of the Santa hat garnish.
• Whipped Cream: Creates the fluffy white top of the Santa hat design.
• Red Sugar or Sprinkles: Optional decorative rim that adds extra holiday flair and sweetness.

• Ice Cubes: Chills the drink and keeps it refreshingly cold.
• Festive Straw or Stir Stick: Adds a playful touch to the holiday-themed beverage.

Mixing Up Santas Hat Shirley Temple

Step 1: Decorate The Glass Rim

Dip the rim of a tall glass in grenadine, then roll it in red sugar or festive sprinkles to create a vibrant holiday look.

Step 2: Build The Drink

• Grenadine
• Lemon-lime soda

Gently stir the mixture to blend the colors and flavors.

Step 3: Create Festive Cherry Hat Garnish

Select a maraschino cherry and top it with a fluffy cloud of whipped cream, resembling Santa’s iconic hat. Carefully place the cherry hat on the glass rim or float it delicately in the drink.

Step 4: Add Final Holiday Touches

Insert a fun holiday-themed straw or decorative stirrer into the glass. The drink now transforms into a cheerful, festive beverage that captures the magic of the season.

Step 5: Serve And Enjoy

Present the Santa’s Hat Shirley Temple immediately, spreading joy and holiday cheer with this playful, non-alcoholic cocktail that delights both kids and adults.

Tips That Improve Santas Hat Shirley Temple

• Rim with Flair: Create a festive look by dipping the glass rim in grenadine and then coating with red sugar or sprinkles for extra holiday cheer.
• Chill for Perfection: Use fresh, cold ice cubes to keep the drink refreshingly cool and maintain the vibrant colors of the Santa's Hat Shirley Temple.
• Gentle Mixing Magic: Stir the grenadine and lemon-lime soda softly to prevent losing carbonation and preserve the drink's sparkling appearance.
• Whipped Cream Topping Trick: Carefully place the whipped cream on the maraschino cherry to create the perfect Santa hat garnish that looks adorable and delicious.
• Kid-Friendly Festive Option: Swap out regular straws for fun holiday-themed stirrers to make the drink even more exciting for children and adults alike.

How to Keep Santas Hat Shirley Temple Cold

• Store any leftover drink in a sealed container for up to 24 hours. Keep the whipped cream and cherry garnish separate to prevent soggy textures.
• Remove the Santa hat topping before storing to maintain its fresh appearance and prevent wilting.
• When ready to enjoy again, give the drink a gentle stir to redistribute the ingredients and restore its vibrant look.
• Do not freeze this beverage, as the soda will lose its carbonation and the whipped cream will separate, compromising the drink's delightful texture.

What to Serve With Santas Hat Shirley Temple

• Complement the sweet grenadine and cherry notes with light fruit-based desserts like raspberry tarts or strawberry shortcake.
• Serve alongside sugar cookies, peppermint bark, or classic gingerbread to enhance the festive drink's cheerful spirit.
• Offer bright red and white appetizers like caprese skewers, cranberry goat cheese bites, or mini candy cane fruit kabobs that echo the drink's playful holiday colors.
• Match with fun finger foods like mini marshmallow snowmen, festive chocolate-dipped pretzels, or cute holiday-shaped sugar cookies that children will love alongside their Santa's Hat Shirley Temple.

Make It Your Own: Santas Hat Shirley Temple

• Low-Sugar Santa Hat: Replace regular soda with diet lemon-lime soda and use sugar-free whipped cream to reduce overall sugar content.
• Dairy-Free Version: Swap whipped cream with coconut whipped cream or a dairy-free alternative for those with lactose intolerance.
• Mocktail Friendly: Create a kid-friendly or alcohol-free version by ensuring all ingredients are non-alcoholic and using fresh cherry juice instead of grenadine.
• Tropical Remix: Substitute lemon-lime soda with pineapple juice and add a splash of coconut syrup for a tropical holiday flavor profile.

Santas Hat Shirley Temple FAQs

• What is a Shirley Temple?

A classic non-alcoholic mocktail made with lemon-lime soda, grenadine syrup, and traditionally garnished with a maraschino cherry, loved by kids and adults alike.

• Can I make this drink ahead of time?

It’s best to prepare this drink just before serving to keep the carbonation and freshness. Pre-mixing can make the soda go flat and lose its bubbly texture.

• Are there any kid-friendly alternatives to grenadine?

You can substitute grenadine with pomegranate juice or raspberry syrup for a similar sweet and fruity flavor profile if needed.

• Do I need special equipment to make the Santa hat garnish?

No special tools required- just use whipped cream and a maraschino cherry to create the cute holiday-themed topping directly on top of the drink.

Santas Hat Shirley Temple Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 1x

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Description

Santa’s Hat Shirley Temple cocktail brings festive cheer with its whimsical red and white layers. Creamy grenadine and sparkling soda create a holiday-inspired mocktail perfect for celebrating Christmas spirit with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120ml) lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7Up)
• ½ cup (120ml) grenadine
• 1 maraschino cherry

Garnish and Decoration:

• Whipped cream
• Red sugar or sprinkles (optional)

Support Ingredients:

• Ice cubes

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Instructions

1. Create a festive rim by dipping the glass edge into grenadine, then roll in vibrant red sugar or holiday sprinkles for a decorative touch.
2. Generously fill the glass with crisp ice cubes, allowing maximum chilling potential.
3. Pour the rich, ruby-red grenadine slowly into the prepared glass, creating a vivid base layer.
4. Cascade the effervescent lemon-lime soda over the grenadine, gently swirling to blend the colorful liquid without disrupting the sparkling carbonation.
5. Select a plump maraschino cherry and position it artfully at the glass rim.
6. Crown the cherry with a pillowy cloud of whipped cream, sculpting it into a whimsical santa hat shape that mimics the classic holiday silhouette.
7. Insert a festive striped or holiday-themed straw to complete the playful presentation.
8. Serve immediately to preserve the drink’s optimal temperature and vibrant layered appearance, inviting guests to enjoy this cheerful seasonal beverage.

Notes

• Rim the glass with vibrant red sugar for a festive touch that adds extra holiday cheer and creates a stunning visual presentation.
• Use chilled ingredients to keep the drink refreshingly cool and maintain the perfect temperature throughout serving.
• Choose maraschino cherries with bright red color and plump texture to create the most adorable Santa hat garnish that looks picture-perfect.
• For a kid-friendly version, ensure all ingredients are non-alcoholic and opt for fresh cherry juice or additional grenadine to enhance the sweet flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Drinks, Cocktails
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 53g
• Sodium: 25mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 53g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg