Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

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This fun, bubbly, pink Shirley Temple drink recipe is a favorite of many. Just a few ingredients needed to make this beloved mocktail. A great drink the whole family can enjoy!

Glass with ice and cherry soda.


 

Shirley Temples have always been a celebratory drink in our house. Great report cards, a new job, a team win, we always make a round of Shirley Temple drinks.

They are so pretty, not to mention totally delicious! From the pretty pinkish red color, bubbles and of course sweet cherries, this Shirley Temple recipe is something everyone will love.

Shirley Temple Black was a young child when she became a famous actress who often attended parties with adult actors. Since she was young, bartenders made her a non-alcoholic drink from ingredients that were available at the bar. The drink was originally made with ginger-ale, grenadine and maraschino cherries but now lemon-lime soda is more frequently used. They are a similar mocktail to a Roy Rogers just using lemon-lime soda instead of cola.

Ingredients needed for a Shirley Temple

This tasty drink only really requires 2 simple ingredients, soda and maraschino juice but in my humble opinion the cherries are what really make this beverage.

  • Lemon Lime Soda – Use your favorite like Sprite or 7-Up. You could also use ginger-ale and if you want to get really fancy, add half lemon-lime soda and half ginger-ale. Make sure to chill your soda before making for an extra cold, refreshing drink.
  • Lemon Lime Soda – Use your favorite like Sprite or 7-Up. You could also use ginger-ale and if you want to get really fancy, add half lemon-lime soda and half ginger-ale. Make sure to chill your soda before making for an extra cold, refreshing drink.
  • Grenadine – You can buy a bottle of this beautiful red juice or use the juice from the maraschino cherry jar. Fun fact, did you know that grenadine isn’t made from cherries? It’s actually made from pomegranate juice and sugar. You can buy a bottle of grenadine in the liquor aisle of the grocery store. It can also be substituted with Torani’s Pomegranate Syrup.
  • Maraschino Cherries – These bright red, sweet cherries are used for garnish. I can usually find jars of maraschino cherries by the ice cream toppings in the grocery store. Add as many as you like or leave them out all together.
  • Ice – You will want enough to fill up your glass.
Bottle of Sprite, maraschino juice and cherries.

How to make a Shirley Temple drink

Step one: Start with filling your glass with ice. You can use your glass of choice like a highball, collins or plastic for younger kids. Pour grenadine over the ice. You can adjust the amount of grenadine to taste, add a little extra if you like it sweeter.

Glass with maraschino juice and ice.

Step two: Fill the rest of the glass up with lemon-lime soda. Stir and garnish with maraschino cherries.

Glass with soda and juice.

How to make a Shirley Temple with alcohol

Making an adult Shirley Temple cocktail, sometimes called a Dirty Shirley Temple, is as easy as adding a little shot of vodka.

  1. Start with filling the glass with ice and pour 1 ounce of vodka over the ice.
  2. Next, pour in the grenadine and then top with lemon-lime soda. Give it a gentle stir and add your cherries.

How to make multiple drinks

For a small group:

If you are making this fun drink for several people, simply use an 8 ounces soda to 1 ounce grenadine ratio. For example if you are making 4 drinks you will need 32 ounces of soda and 4 ounces of grenadine.

To make it a Shirley Temple punch:

  1. Add 1.5 – 2 pounds ice to a punch bowl.
  2. Add 10 ounces of grenadine over ice.
  3. Pour a two liter of lemon-lime soda or ginger-ale over ice.
  4. Add in a jar of maraschino cherries and then top with 2-3 scoops of lime sherbet.

Recipe tips

  • Make sure to chill the soda before mixing for an extra cold drink.
  • Want a little extra sweetness? Add an extra splash of grenadine.
  • For a little extra color, add a slice of lime.
  • Have leftovers? Pour into popsicle mold and freeze for the best cherry lime popsicles!
Glass with soda and grenadine.

Common questions

What’s in a Shirley Temple?

The classic Shirley Temple drink is made with ginger-ale and grenadine or lemon-lime soda and grenadine.

Does a classic Shirley Temple have alcohol?

No, it’s a non-alcoholic drink.

More easy drink recipes

Glass of cherry soda and cherries.
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Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

By Heather
Easy to make Shirley Temple mocktail and cocktail.
Prep: 2 minutes
Total: 2 minutes
Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients 

  • 8 oz lemon-lime soda
  • 1 oz grenadine
  • ice enough to fill up glass of choice
  • 2-3 maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions 

  • Fill glass with ice. Pour grenadine over ice.
  • Top with soda and give it a gentle stir.
  • Garnish with maraschino cherries and serve.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Make sure to chill the soda before mixing for an extra cold drink.
  • Want a little extra sweetness? Add an extra splash of grenadine.
  • For a little extra color, add a slice of lime.
  • Have leftovers? Pour into popsicle mold and freeze for the best cherry lime popsicles!

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
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Thank you for visiting Food Lovin’ Family! With 3 kids I know it can be hard getting food on the table. Here you will find easy and delicious recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

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1 Comment

  1. An excellent drink! I adore it and I’m learning how to make it! Very recommended to anyone who is interested in trying out this special beverage drink.