Does a Shirley Temple have gluten?

A Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic mixed drink that is typically made by combining ginger ale, grenadine syrup, and often a maraschino cherry for garnish. It’s a popular drink choice for children and adults who want a fun, sweet beverage without alcohol. But an important question for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity is: does a Shirley Temple contain gluten?

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. It helps foods maintain their shape and gives elasticity to dough. For most people, gluten does not cause any problems. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine.

This damage can cause a variety of symptoms and health issues, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, headache, anxiety, depression and an itchy skin rash known as dermatitis herpetiformis. Left untreated over many years, celiac disease can lead to more serious complications like osteoporosis, infertility and certain cancers.

The only treatment for celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity is following a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. This means avoiding any foods, drinks or ingredients that contain wheat, rye, barley or triticale.

Ingredients in a Shirley Temple

A basic Shirley Temple contains just three ingredients:

  • Ginger ale – a carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger
  • Grenadine syrup – a sweet syrup made from pomegranates
  • Maraschino cherry (optional garnish)

Some variations may also include:

  • Lemon-lime soda like 7Up or Sprite instead of ginger ale
  • Orange juice or other fruit juices
  • Lime wedge garnish

So a Shirley Temple is a very simple mixed drink without many ingredients. But do any of these components contain gluten?

Does Grenadine Syrup Have Gluten?

Grenadine syrup is the key ingredient that gives a Shirley Temple its signature pink color and sweet, tart flavor. Authentic grenadine syrup is made by mixing pomegranate juice with sugar. Pomegranate juice is naturally gluten-free. Sugar does not contain gluten. Therefore, grenadine syrup made only with pomegranate juice and sugar would be gluten-free.

However, some commercial grenadine syrups may contain other ingredients besides pomegranate and sugar. The most common added ingredients are citric acid, sodium citrate, preservatives and artificial food coloring. These additional ingredients should also be gluten-free.

If you need to avoid gluten, check the ingredient list and look for a grenadine that only contains pomegranate juice and sugar or other gluten-free ingredients. Or make your own homemade grenadine! Homemade grenadine only requires equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar boiled together for 5-10 minutes.

Do Ginger Ales and Other Sodas Contain Gluten?

Ginger ale and other sodas like Sprite or 7Up are gluten-free beverages. These carbonated soft drinks are made by combining carbonated water, natural and/or artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup or sucralose. None of the ingredients typically found in mainstream sodas contain gluten.

However, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should still be cautious when choosing a soda brand. Although the sodas themselves do not contain gluten, there is a small chance of cross-contamination at the factories where they are bottled. The risk is highest if a soda brand also produces malted beverages that do contain gluten, like beer, root beer or malted milkshakes.

Most mainstream soda brands like Schweppes, Canada Dry, Sprite, and 7Up confirm their drinks are gluten-free. But if you are highly sensitive, look for brands that are certified gluten-free or contact the manufacturer to ask about their bottling processes and risk of cross-contamination.

Are Maraschino Cherries Gluten-Free?

Maraschino cherries are a common garnish for Shirley Temples. Maraschino cherries get their name from the Marasca cherries they are made from, which are grown in Croatia. The cherries are preserved in a sugar brine solution.

Fresh Marasca cherries are naturally gluten-free. The main ingredients in the brine are water, sugar, and preservatives. Therefore, maraschino cherries that only contain cherries, water, sugar and preservatives should be safe from gluten. However, some maraschino cherries may also contain added flavors, colors and thickeners like cornstarch.

If you need to avoid gluten, read ingredient lists carefully and look for maraschino cherries with no added starches or questionable ingredients. Reputable brands that indicate their maraschino cherries are gluten-free include Luxardo, Oregon Fruit Products and Tillen Farms.

Risk of Cross-Contamination

While the ingredients in a Shirley Temple are gluten-free, there is a small risk of the drink coming into contact with gluten-containing ingredients at a restaurant or bar. If the grenadine, ginger ale or equipment used to prepare the drink have been contaminated by gluten-containing foods, it could cause a problem for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Some ways cross-contamination may occur include:

  • The grenadine or ginger ale tap could be situated next to beer taps.
  • The bartending equipment, ice bins, glasses, etc. may not be properly cleaned between different drinks.
  • The grenadine or ginger ale bottles could be stored near gluten-containing ingredients.
  • The bar staff handle bread, crackers, beer, etc. and do not wash hands before making the Shirley Temple.

If you have celiac disease or are highly sensitive to gluten, it’s safest to inquire about the precautions taken to avoid cross-contamination at any restaurant or bar before ordering. Some good questions to ask include:

  • Are the soda taps segregated from beer taps?
  • Are equipment and glassware thoroughly washed between drinks?
  • How is your staff trained on gluten cross-contamination risks?

Bars that cater to gluten-free guests will have good protocols in place to avoid cross-contact. You can also reduce contamination risk by ordering drinks made with fresh bottles instead of soda taps, asking for disposable plastic straws, and requesting drinks without the maraschino cherry garnish.

Making Your Own Gluten-Free Shirley Temple

The safest option for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity is to mix up your own Shirley Temple at home. That way, you control all the ingredients and avoid any cross-contamination.

Making a homemade Shirley Temple is easy. Simply combine ice, ginger ale, grenadine syrup to taste, and garnish with a maraschino cherry in a glass. Use brands of ginger ale and grenadine that you know are gluten-free. You can also create fun variations by using different gluten-free sodas like lemon-lime soda or orange soda instead of ginger ale.

Whipping up DIY Shirley Temples at home lets you experience the fun of this classic kids drink without any worries. Bring them along in a sealed container to enjoy at parties, restaurants, picnics and other occasions when you want a refreshing gluten-free beverage option.

Gluten-Free Grenadine Syrup Brands

If purchasing grenadine syrup, look for brands that indicate the product is gluten-free on the label. Some gluten-free grenadine syrup options include:

Brand Details
Libby’s Made from 100% pomegranates with no artificial ingredients or preservatives
Bake Believe All-natural grenadine, verified gluten-free
Real Classic grenadine made from pomegranate juice, cane sugar, citric acid and natural flavors
Stonewall Kitchen Grenadine handcrafted from pure pomegranate juice with no HFCS or artificial preservatives

When in doubt, contact the manufacturer directly to inquire about gluten-free status and production processes.

Gluten-Free Ginger Ale Options

All major mainstream ginger ale brands in the U.S., including Schweppes, Canada Dry, Seagram’s and Vernors, are considered gluten-free to less than 20ppm per the FDA standards. However, individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may react to even small traces of gluten.

Some ginger ale brands that indicate they are gluten-free or take extra precautions against cross-contamination include:

Brand Details
Zevia Sweetened with stevia, verified gluten-free and kosher
Reed’s Naturally brewed from real ginger root, certified gluten-free
Maine Root Made with fair trade organic cane sugar, gluten-free certified
Bruce Cost Freshly brewed from ginger and cane sugar, gluten-free

For maximal safety, look for gluten-free labeled ginger ales or contact the companies directly to understand their production processes.

Gluten-Free Maraschino Cherry Options

All major brands of maraschino cherries, including Luxardo, Oregon Fruit Products and Tillen Farms, indicate their maraschino cherries are gluten-free on the product packaging. Here are a few other brands that confirm they are gluten-free:

Brand Details
Cherry Man Jarred cherries in syrup, verified gluten-free
Cherry Company Jarred maraschino cherries, marked gluten-free
Cedars All natural maraschino cherries with no colors or preservatives added

You can also find many brands of gluten-free maraschino cherries on Amazon by searching “gluten free maraschino cherries.” Pick a brand with simple ingredients and contact the manufacturer if you have any concerns.

Gluten-Free Shirley Temple Mixes

For easy homemade Shirley Temples, there are powdered drink mix packets that provide pre-measured grenadine and ginger ale flavors to combine with water or soda:

Brand Details
Ziegler’s Just add water, verified gluten-free
Shirley Temple Spicetaculars Includes 2 packets of Shirley Temple mix, gluten-free
The Cocktail Box Co Shirley Temple mix with natural flavors, non-GMO, gluten-free

These mixes allow you to enjoy restaurant-quality Shirley Temples in the comfort of your gluten-free kitchen. Just add your own gluten-free ginger ale and maraschino cherries.

Are Shirley Temples Gluten-Free at Restaurants?

Unfortunately most restaurants cannot guarantee that a Shirley Temple is 100% gluten-free. Even though the drink ingredients should all be gluten-free, the risk of cross-contamination from equipment, soda taps, staff hands, etc. is too high for comfort if you are sensitive.

Some restaurant recommendations for ordering Shirley Temples include:

  • Dedicated gluten-free restaurants that have strict protocols to avoid cross-contact
  • High-end cocktail bars with extensive gluten-free menus and training
  • Asking for a sealed soda and grenadine to mix yourself
  • Requesting disposable straws and no cherry garnish
  • Stating a gluten allergy clearly so staff take extra precautions

Calling ahead to inquire about precautions for gluten-free drinks is advised. But the only way to be 100% sure is to prepare your own Shirley Temple at home where you control the environment.

Traveling Gluten-Free With Shirley Temples

Shirley Temples can be a refreshing gluten-free drink option when traveling, as long as you take some precautions:

  • Pack single-serve grenadine and maraschino cherries in your luggage
  • Bring a personalized gluten-free Shirley Temple mix in a resealable bag
  • Call ahead to restaurants and bars to ask about gluten-free procedures
  • Verify soda taps are segregated from beer taps before ordering
  • Politely reiterate your need for gluten-free when ordering

With some planning, you can still enjoy fun Shirley Temples gluten-free even while on the go. Throw in a cute paper umbrella, and it’s an instant vacation in a glass!

Conclusion

In summary, Shirley Temples can be part of a gluten-free diet when crafted with care. The main ingredients – grenadine, ginger ale and maraschino cherries – are naturally gluten-free. However, risk of cross-contamination means pre-packaged mixes and homemade Shirleys are safest for those highly sensitive. With the right gluten-free ingredients and precautions against contact with gluten, you can still enjoy this classic kids mocktail even while avoiding gluten!

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