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Make a Shirley Temple Drink with Sprite, grenadine, and cherries! This easy, fizzy drink is perfect for kids and adults alike with fun, customizable twists. It’s a classic mocktail ready in under 5 minutes!
A Sweet, Bubbly, and Nostalgic Mocktail
Do you remember your first Shirley Temple drink? I sure do! I was about eight years old, sitting in a restaurant with my family, feeling like the fanciest kid ever with that bubbly, cherry-topped red drink in front of me. It looked like the crown-jewel of beverages. That first fizzy, fruity sip has stuck with me ever since.
Now, I love making this classic drink at home. It’s simple, nostalgic, and always a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want a special treat on a random Tuesday, this Shirley Temple mocktail will hit the spot.
❤️ Kelsey
Ingredients
- Lemon-Lime Soda: Like Sprite or 7-Up. If you want it less sweet, use club soda.
- Grenadine Syrup: This is what gives the drink that beautiful red color and sweet, fruity flavor.
- Maraschino Cherries: Don’t forget this signature garnish for the finishing touch.
- Lime Wedge: Optional, but a splash of lime brightens the flavor even more.
- Ice: Because who wants a warm Shirley Temple? I like to use pebble ice.
How to Make a Shirley Temple Drink
- Fill your glass: Start by filling a tall glass with ice, then add the grenadine syrup. I like using clear glasses so you can see the beautiful red color.
- Pour the soda: Slowly pour Sprite over the top until the glass is full.
- Stir: Give it a good stir so the grenadine mixes evenly.
- Garnish: Top with a maraschino cherry (or two… or three!) and enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions
Mix it up with these fun twists on the sweet classic!
- The Original Shirley Temple: The first Shirley Temple (made for Shirley Temple herself) was made with ginger ale, not lemon-lime soda. Give it a try for a slightly spicier flavor.
- Shirley Temple Without Grenadine: Substitute pomegranate juice or raspberry syrup for a more natural taste.
- Roy Rogers: Use the same Shirley Temple recipe, with one exception. Use cola (Coke or Pepsi) instead of lemon-lime soda. Grenadine with cola tastes amazing—like a grown-up cherry soda.
- Sunrise Shirley Temple: Add a splash of orange juice for a tropical, layered look. This adds a bright, zesty kick and will make your drink look like a sunrise.
- Low-Sugar Shirley Temple: For a less sweet version, swap out the soda for a club soda, seltzer, sparkling water, or diet soda.
- Add Fresh Lime Juice – Something about fresh lime juice makes the drink more delicious and fancy!
A Little History of the Shirley Temple Drink
Did you know that this iconic drink has been around since the 1930s? Legend has it that the young Shirley Temple herself was dining at a fancy restaurant when she noticed the adults sipping cocktails. Naturally, she wanted her own special drink, and the bartender whipped up this non-alcoholic creation in her honor. This mixture of ginger ale, grenadine (or pomegranate syrup), ice cubes, and a maraschino cherry garnish became known all over the world as a Shirley Temple.
Fun fact: Shirley Temple reportedly didn’t even like the drink because she thought it was too sweet. But for decades, since the Shirley Temple has been the go-to mocktail for kids and the young at heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a sweet drink with hints of pomegranate, cherry, and citrus flavors. A mix between a cherry soda and lemon-lime soda. The best part is the crunchy and sweet maraschino cherry garnish!
Try using club soda or seltzer instead of soda. You can also use diet ginger ale or diet Sprite for a lighter option.
Yes! You can substitute pomegranate juice, raspberry syrup, or cherry juice. It won’t be quite as sweet, but it will have a more natural fruit flavor.
Truly, I think a Shirley Temple is perfection. But if there was one thing to add, it’s fresh lime juice. There’s just something about that tart, citrusy kick that makes the drink feel extra fancy and refreshing.
The Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic “cocktail” or mocktail. A Dirty Shirley is the alcoholic version of the drink made with a shot of vodka.
Technically, it’s both. It’s a mocktail because it mimics a cocktail but contains no alcohol. It’s a soda because it’s carbonated and refreshing.
More Delicious Drink Recipes
If you love nostalgic mocktails, don’t miss our Dirty Dr Pepper and Raspberry Dream Soda recipes – two reader favorite fizzy drinks that pair perfectly with family movie nights. If it’s a Harry Potter film for movie night, Butterbeer is a must!
🍒 If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below. We’d love to hear how you customized your Shirley Temple!
Classic Shirley Temple Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespooons grenadine syrup
- 8 ounces Sprite
- ice
- 1 maraschino cherry
- 1 lime wedge, (optional)
Instructions
- Add ice to your cup and pour the grenadine over the top.
- Add lemon-lime soda and stir.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries.
- Serve immediately. Optional to garnish the glass with lime.
Notes
- Garnish with lime slices for even more flavor.
- The grenadine may settle so stir well before drinking.
- Add a splash of Maraschino cherry juice for an even sweeter sip.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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The name of that drink ……… 🙁
h what alcohol would u add if u wanted an alcohol drink the Shirley temple looks so Christmasy it would b a great drink for the kiddos but the adults like a little alcohol 😉😊
You can make a Dirty Shirley by adding 2 ounces of vodka!