Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

This fun, bubbly, pink Shirley Temple drink recipe is a favorite of many. Just a few ingredients needed to make this beloved mocktail.

Shirley Temples have always been a celebratory drink in our house. 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 The drink was originally made with ginger-ale, grenadine and maraschino cherries but now lemon-lime soda is more frequently used.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

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.

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.

How to make

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.

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

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 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!

More easy drink recipes

• Homemade Slushies – How to make your own slushies at home.
• Pineapple Lemonade – Sweet and tart drink great for the summer.
• Vanilla Bean Frappuccino – Make this Starbucks copycat right at home.
• Watermelon Water – Refreshing infused water.
• Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail – Made with sparkling soda and cranberry juice.