This Shirley Temple recipe is the perfect drink to make on short notice, as it takes basic ingredients you might have in your kitchen already. Whether you're an adult or a kid, it's a pleasure to drink!
If you love mocktails, make sure to check out our recipes for Roy Rogers drink, mint julep mocktail, and this tequila sunrise mocktail.
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Why This Recipe Works
- It's easy. Skip fancy cocktail shakers and other fancy barware. All you need is a glass, spoon, and measuring spoons/cups!
- It's customizable. Feel free to make substitutes or try a variation to make this Shirley Temple your own.
- Make a small batch or a pitcher. Mix up one glass, or make a whole pitcher for a punch bowl or party.
Ingredients
Fortunately, you don't need many ingredients to whip up a Shirley Temple drink! Let's talk about the key ingredients in this simple mocktail.
- Ginger Ale: Although many people use Sprite, ginger ale is the traditional choice for this drink. Try different flavors of ginger ale for a unique twist!
- Grenadine: This pomegranate syrup adds sweetness and color. If you can't have red food coloring, make your own grenadine from pomegranate juice.
- Orange Juice: This isn't part of a traditional Shirley Temple, but does make a delicious addition to it. Feel free to leave it out if you want.
- Garnishes: I like to garnish a Shirley Temple with orange slices and maraschino cherries. It's simple and pretty!
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Don't have ginger ale? Use Sprite, 7-Up, or any lemon-lime soda.
- Don't have grenadine? Use maraschino cherry juice, homemade grenadine, or raspberry cordial instead.
- Allergic to red food dye? Use homemade, dye-free grenadine and dye-free cherries.
- Want to change up the flavor? Add a dash of orange bitters for a more adult flavor.
- Want to rim the glass? Dip the rim of the glass in water, then in granulated sugar.
- Want to try a different garnish? Try a paper umbrella, a curl of orange peel, or a skewer of maraschino cherries.
How to Make
Gather the ingredients.
- Put a few ice cubes into a highball glass, then pour in 1 cup of ginger ale.
- Add ⅓ cup of orange juice to the ginger ale.
3. Pour in 1 tablespoon of grenadine syrup.
4. Gently stir with a straw until combined.
5. Cut a slit in an orange slice and balance it on the edge of the glass.
6. Cut a slit in the bottom of a maraschino cherry and balance it on the rim of the glass as well. Enjoy your Shirley Temple drink!
Recipe FAQs
It was invented in 1938 for the actress Shirley Temple herself. According to legend, she was celebrating her tenth birthday with her parents and other actors at a restaurant, and the bartenders created this treat for her to enjoy. Ironically, she never cared for it, as she found it too sweet.
The name of the inventor of this drink isn't known, but we do know it was a bartender at Chasen's, a famous restaurant in Beverly Hills, during the 1930s.
A Shirley Temple has a subtle ginger flavor from the ginger ale, but tastes mostly of cherry/pomegranate from the grenadine syrup. The orange juice adds a citrusy tang. If you eat the cherry garnish, you'll get even more of a cherry flavor. It's delicious!
Traditionally, a Shirley Temple is made from ginger ale and grenadine and topped with a maraschino cherry. Many people swap out the ginger ale for Sprite or 7-Up, and add orange juice for additional flavor. My recipe uses the traditional ginger ale and adds a splash of orange juice.
Serve
Looking for tasty snacks and treats to serve with a Shirley Temple drink? Kids and adults alike will enjoy these sweet and savory pairings.
For something savory, try buffalo chicken dip, bisquick sausage balls, or this adorable hedgehog cheese ball. Serve this drink along with desserts like this lemon blueberry cake, Subway raspberry cheesecake cookies, or this sour cherry pie to delight everyone!
If you're looking for other beverages the whole family will love, you'll want to try our recipes for Cinderella mocktail, grapefruit ginger fizz, and tequila sunrise mocktail.
Store
Make Ahead: You can mix together the orange juice and grenadine in advance and store it in individual glasses or a pitcher; then add the ice and ginger ale right before serving.
Leftovers: Any leftover Shirley Temple won't stay fizzy for long once the ginger ale is added, but you could refrigerate it for a day or so and enjoy it later.
Freezing: You can freeze a Shirley Temple to make it a slushie! Simply pour the mixture into an ice cream tub or airtight container and freeze until solid. Break up clumps with a fork and thaw briefly before serving.
Expert Tips
- Chill the ingredients for the best flavor.
- Add ice cubes if you want the drink extra cold.
- Pour the soda slowly to prevent it from fizzing too much.
- Stir the drink gently with a straw or spoon to combine the ingredients.
- Enjoy the drink immediately to prevent the loss of carbonation.
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Recipe
Shirley Temple Drink Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup ginger ale
- ⅓ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon grenadine
- 4 ice cubes
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
- Orange slices, for garnish
Instructions
Making an Individual Glass
- Place about 4 ice cubes in a 12-ounce highball glass and pour in the ginger ale. (The drink makes about 10 ounces of liquid, but you need a 12-ounce glass to make room for the ice cubes.)
- Add the orange juice and grenadine. Stir gently to combine.
- Cut a slit in an orange slice and a maraschino cherry, then balance the garnishes on the rim of the glass. Enjoy immediately.
Making a Pitcher
- Stir together 2 ⅔ cups of orange juice and ½ cup of grenadine until combined.
- Just before serving, stir in 8 cups of ginger ale.
- Pour the Shirley Temple drink into individual glasses and garnish with a cherry and orange slice. This will make eight 10-ounce glasses.
Notes
- Chill the ingredients for the best flavor.
- Add ice cubes if you want the drink extra cold.
- Pour the soda slowly to prevent it from fizzing too much.
- Stir the drink gently with a straw or spoon to combine the ingredients.
- Enjoy the drink immediately to prevent the loss of carbonation.
Nutrition
Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.
This post was originally published on February 12, 2018, and updated with new photos and content on February 13, 2020. The photos were resized and the content was updated on April 14, 2022.
Alex
The orange juice adds a tangy flavor to the pop, and the color is very impressive. The grenadine gives it a unique flavor. Delicious!
Emma
Glad you enjoyed it, Alex!
Beth
This is so refreshing with the grenadine and ginger ale. The fruity grenadine and orange juice tastes lovely with the ginger ale. The pretty color makes the drink look very sunny. The garnish is beautiful. Simply wonderful!
Emma
It's interesting how such a simple combination can be so refreshing. Thanks for leaving a review!