Name: Shirley Temple Drink Recipe: The Bubbly Classic Everyone Loves
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup lemon-lime soda; 1/2 cup ginger ale; 1–2 tablespoons grenadine; 1 maraschino cherry; 1 lime or orange slice (optional); Ice cubes

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If there’s one drink that instantly pulls you back to childhood—but still tastes amazing as an adult—it’s the Shirley Temple. Seriously, have you ever taken a sip of that bright red, bubbly sweetness and not smiled? Impossible. That cherry-grenadine magic wins every time.

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I still remember ordering it proudly at restaurants like it was the fanciest cocktail on the menu. And IMO? It totally was. A Shirley Temple felt like your first grown-up drink, minus all the grown-up parts. Now it makes a comeback at every birthday, bridal shower, family night, and Shirley Temple Bar For Party setup I do.

Whether you want a Classic Shirley Temple Drink, a Cherry Shirley Temple Mocktail, or a cute Shirley Temple Drink Recipe For Kids, this version checks all the boxes: refreshing, sweet, fizzy, nostalgic, and ridiculously easy.

Let’s make the drink that has survived decades of trends, and still tastes perfect.

Why the Shirley Temple Still Feels Iconic

This drink has history. It’s named after legendary child actress Shirley Temple and became one of the earliest Vintage Drinks and Vintage Cocktails—even though it’s non-alcoholic. It has that old-Hollywood charm you don’t see much anymore.

But timeless status aside… it’s just delicious. Have you ever wondered why something so simple works so well? Three reasons:

Bubbles make everything more fun
Grenadine brings sweetness and color
Cherry garnish adds the magic

Kids adore it. Adults secretly adore it. And FYI, a well-made Shirley Temple embarrasses many modern mocktails.

Ingredients You’ll Need (With Quantities)

This recipe makes 1 drink, but you can scale it up easily for parties.

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Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Main Ingredients

1 cup lemon-lime soda (7Up or Sprite)
1/2 cup ginger ale
1–2 tablespoons grenadine syrup
1 maraschino cherry for garnish
1 lime slice or orange slice (optional)
Ice cubes as needed

If you want a Shirley Temple Drink With 7Up, this exact ratio works perfectly.

How to Make the Perfect Shirley Temple (Detailed Steps)

This drink is famously simple, but I’ll take you through it slowly so you get the exact right flavor—bright, sweet, refreshing, and not syrupy.

Step 1: Fill Your Glass With Ice

Start with a tall glass and fill it with ice cubes. Cold drinks taste better and stay bubbly longer. Don’t skip the ice—trust me, melted grenadine and warm soda is not the vibe we want.

Ever noticed how ice instantly makes a drink feel fancy? Exactly.

Step 2: Pour In the Lemon-Lime Soda

Pour in 1 cup of lemon-lime soda. Sprite or 7Up work perfectly here. This becomes the sweet, citrusy base of your drink.

If you’re making a Traditional Shirley Temple Drink, lemon-lime soda is non-negotiable.

Step 3: Add the Ginger Ale

Pour in 1/2 cup ginger ale. It adds warmth and depth that keeps the drink interesting, not overly sweet.

Making the kids-only version? You can skip ginger ale if you want—but personally, I like it because it feels more “grown-up mocktail.”

Step 4: Add the Grenadine

Add 1–2 tablespoons grenadine. Start with 1 tablespoon, taste it, and adjust. Too much and your drink might taste like straight candy. Too little and you miss that signature pink-red glow.

Grenadine doesn’t just make the drink look pretty—it gives that sweet cherry flavor we associate with Shirley Temples everywhere.

Step 5: Stir Gently

Use a spoon to gently swirl the drink. Just one or two slow stirs. You want the grenadine to blend without losing carbonation.

Nothing ruins a good mocktail like aggressive stirring.

Step 6: Garnish Like a Pro

Add a maraschino cherry on top. Or two. Zero judgment.

If you want a retro look (hello Vintage Cocktails aesthetic), add an orange slice or a lime wheel.

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Have you ever noticed how a simple garnish turns “soda in a glass” into “cocktail presentation”? Same magic here.

How to Make a Shirley Temple Pitcher for Parties

Whether you’re hosting a Shirley Temple Grad Party, a birthday, a Shirly Temple Station, or a brunch, making a big batch saves tons of time.

Ingredients for a Party Pitcher (Serves 8–10)

6 cups lemon-lime soda
3 cups ginger ale
1/2–3/4 cup grenadine
10–12 cherries
Ice for serving
Citrus slices (optional)

Method

Mix everything in a pitcher except ice. Chill until ready to serve. Add ice to glasses individually so it doesn’t water down the pitcher.

This is perfect for a Shirley Temple Bar setup. Just line up garnishes, straws, glasses, and let guests build their own.

Why This Recipe Beats Store-Bought Mixes

You may have seen pre-bottled “Shirley Temple soda,” but IMO they never compare. Here’s why this homemade version wins:

1. Better Flavor Balance

You choose how sweet or bubbly it is.

2. Fresher Taste

Nothing beats fresh grenadine and cold soda.

3. Customizable for Everyone

Kids, adults, picky drinkers—you can adjust for all.

4. Cleaner Ingredients

You avoid artificial dyes and overly sugary premixes.

5. Aesthetic Presentation

Homemade versions always look more impressive.

If you want to elevate your Shirley Temple Punch, homemade is the way to go.

Fun Variations of the Shirley Temple

Because creativity makes everything more fun.

Cherry Shirley Temple Mocktail

Add cherry juice or muddle fresh cherries.

Seasonal Shirley Temple Drink

Winter: add cranberry juice
Summer: add lemonade
Fall: toss in pomegranate seeds

Dolly Parton Recipes Inspired Twist

Add a splash of pineapple juice for tropical sweetness.

Shirley Temple Cake Inspired Version

Blend with vanilla ice cream for a float.

Vintage Drinks Version

Use only ginger ale and grenadine, the rumored original mix.

Spicy Ginger Version

Use spicy ginger beer instead of ginger ale.

These variations make your drink recipe feel brand-new every time.

Best Occasions to Serve a Shirley Temple

Because honestly, this drink shines everywhere.

Birthday parties
Baby showers
Bridal showers
Graduation parties
Pool parties
BBQ nights
Holiday gatherings
Movie nights
Retro themed events (Vintage Cocktails night!)

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If you want something festive, colorful, and kid-safe, nothing beats this drink.

Tips for Making the Best Shirley Temple Drink Ever

Little tricks = big improvements.

Use chilled soda so ice doesn’t melt quickly.
Add grenadine at the end for that gorgeous ombre effect.
Use real grenadine—not cherry syrup if possible.
Don’t over-stir.
Serve immediately to keep carbonation strong.
Add fancy straws or umbrellas for party flair.

Ever notice how the smallest touch can upgrade a drink instantly?

The History Behind the Shirley Temple

Nothing makes a recipe more interesting than the story behind it. The drink dates back to the 1930s, when restaurants created a special non-alcoholic cocktail for Shirley Temple so she wouldn’t feel left out at grown-up events.

Whether or not she liked it (rumor says she didn’t), the world definitely did. It became one of the most popular Recetas Mexicanas, American, and worldwide mocktail staples.

This drink outlived trends, generations, and every new “fancy mocktail” invented since. Impressive, right?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the difference between a Shirley Temple and a Roy Rogers?

A Roy Rogers uses cola instead of lemon-lime soda.

2. Can I make a Shirley Temple without grenadine?

Yes—use cherry juice, pomegranate juice, or raspberry syrup.

3. Can adults enjoy Shirley Temples?

Absolutely. It’s a non-alcoholic drink but feels fancy and refreshing.

4. Can I use diet soda?

Yes, but it changes the sweetness slightly.

5. Can I make a healthier version?

Use sugar-free grenadine and low-sugar soda. It still tastes great.