Shirley Temple Recipe

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Make a classic Shirley Temple with Sprite, grenadine, and cherries! This easy, fizzy drink is perfect for kids and adults alike with fun, customizable twists.

three shirley temples garnished with cherries and lime

Table of Contents

A Sweet, Bubbly, and Nostalgic Mocktail
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What You’ll Need
How to Make a Shirley Temple
Variations and Substitutions
A Little History of the Shirley Temple
Recipe Tip
Questions About Shirley Temple Recipe
More Delicious Drink Recipes
How to Make a Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Recipe Recipe

A Sweet, Bubbly, and Nostalgic Mocktail

Do you remember your first Shirley Temple? I sure do! I was probably around eight years old, sitting at a restaurant with my family, feeling like the fanciest kid ever. I had this bubbly, bright red drink in front of me, topped with a cherry that seemed like the crown jewel of beverages. I sipped it slowly, savoring every fruity, fizzy gulp, and thinking, “This must be what grown-ups feel like when they order cocktails.” Spoiler alert: I also begged the waiter for an extra cup of maraschino cherries on the side. No shame!

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 recipe will hit the spot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

🍒 Family-Friendly: A perfect non-alcoholic option that makes kids feel fancy.
🍋 Easy to Make: Just four simple ingredients.
✨ Customizable: Switch up the soda, add fresh lime juice, or try fun variations.

What You’ll Need

Sprite (or any lemon-lime soda)
Grenadine syrup – This is what gives the drink that beautiful red hue and sweet, fruity flavor.
Maraschino Cherries – Don’t forget the garnish!
Ice – Because who wants a warm Shirley Temple?

A can of sprite, a bowl of maraschino cherries, and a bottle of grenadine

How to Make a Shirley Temple

Fill your glass: Start by filling a tall glass with ice. I like using clear glasses so you can see the beautiful red color.
Add the grenadine: Pour 2 tablespoons of grenadine over the ice.
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!

Ginger ale– The original Shirley Temple was made with ginger ale, not lemon-lime soda. Give it a try for a slightly spicier flavor.
Club Soda or Seltzer – For a less sweet version, swap out the soda for sparkling water.
Cola– It might sound odd, but grenadine with cola tastes amazing—like a grown-up cherry soda.
Orange juice– add a splash of orange juice. This adds a bright, zesty kick and will make your drink look like a sunrise.
Fresh lime juice– Something about fresh lime juice makes the drink more delicious and fancy!

A Little History of the Shirley Temple

Did you know that this iconic drink has been around since the 1930s? Legend has it that 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!

Recipe Tip

glasses full of ice, grenadine syrup, and sprite

The grenadine may settle at the bottom of the glass so make sure you give it a good stir!

Questions About Shirley Temple Recipe

How would you make a less sweet Shirley Temple?

Try using club soda or seltzer instead of soda. You can also use diet ginger ale or diet Sprite for a lighter option.

What flavors are in a Shirley Temple soda?

Classic Shirley Temples have hints of pomegranate, cherry, and ginger if you use ginger ale. If you go with Sprite, you’ll taste a lemon-lime twist instead. The best part is the crunchy and sweet maraschino cherry garnish!

What’s the secret to a better Shirley Temple?

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.

More Delicious Drink Recipes

Pomegranate Sunrise (NA)
Swig’s Raspberry Dream (Dirty Soda)
Raspberry Cordial
Homemade Sparkling Cider
Orange Julius Copycat
Harry Potter Butterbeer
Frozen Hot Chocolate

How to Make a Shirley Temple