What is a Shirley Temple Drink | Classic Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links – please read my disclosure statement.
This Classic Shirley Temple Drink is one of those recipes my kids never seem to outgrow. The second they see the fancy glasses and bright red cherries come out, they get excited because it feels like ordering a special restaurant drink at home.
A Shirley Temple drink is sweet, fizzy, refreshing, and honestly one of the easiest drink recipes to make for parties, holidays, movie nights, sleepovers, or summer afternoons outside. We’ve made this version so many times over the years and tested both Sprite and ginger ale until everyone had a favorite.
This easy Shirley Temple recipe comes together in just a couple of minutes with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, grenadine syrup, ice, and maraschino cherries. I’ll also show you a few simple variations and explain the difference between using Sprite vs. ginger ale so you can make it exactly how your family likes it.
Shirley Temple Drink
Ingredients for a Shirley Temple Drink
A classic Shirley Temple drink is made with:
• lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
• grenadine syrup
• ice
• maraschino cherries
Optional Variations:
• lime wedges
• orange juice
This sweet non-alcoholic mocktail is ready in minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Classic Shirley Temple Recipe
- A Shirley Temple sounds like a fancy cocktail, but it’s a kid-friendly drink that the kids can enjoy as a fun treat.
- There are only a couple of ingredients to this fun drink
Ingredients for a Classic Shirley Temple Drink
- Lemon-lime soda or Ginger Ale (or both)
- Grenadine Syrup
- Ice
- Garnish: Maraschino Cherry with the stem on and optional lime wedges
Helpful Equipment that you might want
- Shot glass for measuring the syrup (1/5 oz. = 3 Tablespoons)
How to Make a Shirley Temple Drink
- pack your cup full of ice
- pour in the Grenadine Syrup
- Pour the soda over the top of that
- Gently stir
Is Shirley Temple Better with Ginger Ale or Sprite?
| Ginger Ale | Sprite or 7UP | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | More traditional, less sweet, slight ginger flavor | Sweeter, fruitier, more citrusy |
| Color | Deeper red or amber | Lighter pink |
Best Garnishes for a Shirley Temple Drink
The classic garnish is a maraschino cherry on top, but a lime or orange wedge is also a fun garnish. Of course, a sprig of mint would be delicious and fun, as well
Melissa’s Tips for Making the Best Shirley Temple
- Really pack the cup with lots of ice
- Find grenadine in any grocery store that has a liquor aisle or at your local liquor store. (There is no alcohol in grenadine – It’s just a sweet syrup)
- Use lemon-lime soda like 7-Up, Sprite, or a generic form, or use ginger ale. You can also make a combination of both.
- I prefer ginger ale because it isn’t quite as sweet, while my kids prefer the sweeter lemon-lime soda version.
- Maraschino Cherry juice can be substituted for grenadine
- You can also easily adjust the size of the drink by using an easy ratio of 1.5 oz. to “about” every 12 oz. of soda
Why Some Shirley Temple Drinks Are Pink or Red
The color of a Shirley Temple drink depends mostly on the soda and the amount of grenadine used. Shirley Temples made with lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7UP are usually a lighter pink color, while versions made with ginger ale often look deeper red or amber. Adding extra grenadine syrup will also create a brighter red drink.
Shirley Temple Recipe Variations
| Variation | What to Use | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Mix the Sodas | Half ginger ale + half Sprite or 7UP | Gives you a balance of ginger flavor and lemon-lime sweetness. |
| Swap the Grenadine | Maraschino cherry juice | Works in a pinch and gives the drink a slightly lighter cherry flavor. |
| Add Citrus | Orange, lime, lemon, or pineapple juice | Adds a bright, tangy flavor that helps balance the sweetness. |
| Make a Roy Rogers | Coca-Cola instead of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda | Creates a richer cola version with the same fun cherry flavor. |
Is a Shirley Temple Drink Non-Alcoholic
Yes, a classic Shirley Temple drink is non-alcoholic. It is made with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, grenadine, and maraschino cherries, making it a fun mocktail for both kids and adults. A version made with alcohol is commonly called a Dirty Shirley.
Making Homemade Grenadine
You can mix two parts of simple syrup with 1 part of pomegranate juice. In a pinch, use the juice from a jar of maraschino cherries as a substitute for grenadine.
FAQs about Shirley Temple Recipes
Other Fun Summer Drinks You’ll Enjoy
My kids absolutely love it when we make drink recipes. This Shirley Temple drink is definitely in their top three most requested drinks. It’s always fun when I crack out the fancy glasses and pull out ingredients for drinks like a copy-cat Chik-Fil-A Peppermint Milkshake, a Sonic Cherry Limeade, or Watermelon Juice
More Drinks to Enjoy
How to Make a Shirley Temple Drink – Video
Printable Recipe for this Kid-Friendly Shirley Temple Drink
Shirley Temple Drink
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. 3 Tbsp. of Grenadine Syrup
- 12 oz. of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
- ice
Instructions
- Pack a 16 oz. a cup full of ice
- Add 1 shot glass full (or 3 Tbsp.) of Grenadine syrup over the ice
- Pour soda
- Gently stir
- Serve with a garnish of maraschino cherry
Notes
Nutrition
For more fun and more recipes…Come Hang out with Me on Social Media
Come and find me on Pinterest and Facebook for more recipes, crafts, party treats, and holiday games!
