Easy Shirley Temple Recipe
A Shirley Temple drink is a classic nonalcoholic mocktail made with lemon-lime soda, grenadine, and a maraschino cherry. Sweet, bubbly, and ready in just a few minutes, it’s an easy drink for kids, parties, holidays, or anyone who wants something festive without alcohol.
What Is a Shirley Temple Made Of?
A Shirley Temple is a nonalcoholic drink traditionally made with grenadine and a carbonated soda such as ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. It is usually served over ice and garnished with a maraschino cherry.
Recipes vary, and some versions combine ginger ale and lemon-lime soda or include a splash of citrus juice.
This easy Shirley Temple recipe uses lemon-lime soda instead of ginger ale for a bright citrus flavor. You only need three ingredients, plus ice if you like.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces lemon-lime soda
- 1 ounce grenadine
- 1 maraschino cherry
- Ice, optional
Sprite or 7UP both work well for the lemon-lime soda. You can also use a zero-sugar version if you want to cut back on sugar.
How To Make a Shirley Temple
- Fill a tall glass with ice (if desired, this is a preference).
- Pour in the lemon-lime soda and chase it with the grenadine.
- Lightly stir, top with a cherry for garnish.
Tips
- Add a lemon or lime slice for an easy garnish.
- For a more traditional flavor, replace some or all of the lemon-lime soda with ginger ale.
- If you want a layered look, slowly pour the grenadine down the inside of the glass after adding the soda. Stir before drinking so the grenadine is evenly distributed.
- Serve the drink right away for the most carbonation
Shirley Temple Variations
One of the easiest things about this mocktail is how simple it is to change the flavor.
- Strawberry Shirley Temple: Replace the grenadine with strawberry syrup for a sweeter berry-flavored version.
- Fruity Shirley Temple: Add a splash of orange, pineapple, or cranberry juice.
- Sugar-Free Shirley Temple: Use zero-sugar lemon-lime soda and a sugar-free grenadine or similar syrup.
For a prettier party drink, garnish with orange slices, lemon wedges, strawberries, or extra maraschino cherries.
Shirley Temple vs. Roy Rogers
Both are classic nonalcoholic drinks made with grenadine.
A Shirley Temple uses ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or a combination of the two.
A Roy Rogers uses cola with grenadine and is typically garnished with a maraschino cherry.
So if you replace the lemon-lime soda in this recipe with cola, you’ve wandered into Roy Rogers territory.
FAQs
Shirley Temple was one of Hollywood’s most famous child stars during the 1930s. Known for her curls, dimples, singing, and dancing, she became one of the biggest box-office attractions of her era.
The exact origin of the drink named after her is disputed, with several restaurants claiming to have created the nonalcoholic beverage for the young actress.
Temple later became known as Shirley Temple Black and had a second career in public service and diplomacy.
Absolutely. Ginger ale is commonly used in Shirley Temples and gives the drink a slightly different flavor than lemon-lime soda.
You can use all ginger ale or mix equal parts ginger ale and lemon-lime soda.
It is better to make it just before serving. Once soda is mixed and left sitting, it begins to lose its carbonation.
You can prepare the garnishes, chill the soda, and measure the grenadine ahead of time, then assemble each drink in a minute or two.
Yes. Adding vodka to a Shirley Temple creates the cocktail commonly known as a Dirty Shirley.
Yes, but they are best mixed shortly before serving so the soda stays bubbly.
For a party, chill the soda and grenadine ahead of time and set out glasses, ice, cherries, and garnishes. Mix each drink as needed.
You can also scale the basic ratio of 8 ounces soda to 1 ounce grenadine to make multiple servings. Add the soda shortly before serving rather than mixing a pitcher hours in advance.
Shirley Temple Drink
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a tall glass with ice (if desired, this is a preference).
- Pour in the lemon lime soda and chase it with the grenadine.
- Lightly stir, top with a cherry for garnish.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- For an extra addition to flavor and for another garnish, you can add a lemon slice.
- You can swap out half of the lemon-lime soda for ginger ale, to make the classic variation.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Whether you’re making these for a birthday party, holiday gathering, or simply because a bright red drink with a cherry makes an ordinary afternoon a little more fun, this Shirley Temple takes only minutes to make.
Do you prefer your Shirley Temple with lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, or a little of both? Let me know in the comments!
