Classic Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

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

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?

Did you know that the type of soda you use will change the color of the drink? A more pink or pale drink is probably made with lemon-lime soda, while a dark red drink is made with ginger ale. Both are common combinations and sometimes a Shirley Temple Drink Recipe combines the two sodas.

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 Gingerale – You can also make a combination of both. I prefer the ginger ale because the lemon-lime is a little sweeter and combined with the sweet syrup it’s almost too sweet for me. My kids, however, love the lemon-lime soda
• 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

Sodas:
A classic Shirley Temple is usually made with ginger ale, lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7UP, or a combination of both. Ginger ale creates a more traditional flavor, while lemon-lime soda makes the drink sweeter and fruitier.

Grenadine Substitutions:
Grenadine syrup gives a Shirley Temple its classic bright red color and sweet flavor, but maraschino cherry juice can work in a pinch. Cherry juice creates a slightly lighter flavor while still keeping the drink fun and colorful.

Adding Citrus:
A splash of orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, or even pineapple juice can add a fun citrus twist to a Shirley Temple. Orange juice is especially popular because it balances some of the sweetness and adds a little tangy flavor.

Roy Rogers Drink:
Want a cola version instead? Swap the lemon-lime soda or ginger ale for Coca-Cola to make a classic Roy Rogers drink. It has the same fun cherry flavor with a richer soda taste.

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

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.

Other Fun Summer Drinks You’ll Enjoy

More Drinks to Enjoy

Watch my Video on Making this Drink

Printable Recipe for this Kid-Friendly Shirley Temple Drink

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