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This Shirley Temple drink is a sweet, fizzy classic that takes just 3 minutes to make with ginger ale, grenadine, and maraschino cherries. It’s the perfect kid-friendly mocktail for parties, holidays, or any celebration, and it’s easy to turn into a Dirty Shirley for the adults.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party this year for 2 or 20, you’re sure to need a few cocktails and mocktails to keep the festivities flowing. A Shirley Temple drink wasmy favorite drink to order when I went out to dinner with my family when I was little.
For the little guys, it feels so grown up and special when the waitress places one in front of them. The best part, aside from the neon red color, is the maraschino cherry…with a stem, of course. Always skewered on a cocktail pick with a wedge of lime, we like to rim the glass with sugar to make it even more festive.
What is a Shirley Temple?
A Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic drink made with two ingredients, grenadine and ginger ale. Garnished with a maraschino cherry, this chilled beverage is a common mocktail recipe popular with kids.
For adults, you can make a spiked version called a Dirty Shirley Temple or “Dirty Shirley” by mixing in vodka or gin.
What’s in a classic Shirley Temple drink:
- Ginger ale (or lemon-lime soda)
- Grenadine for sweetness + that signature red color
- Maraschino cherries (and a splash of their juice if you like it extra sweet)
Popular swaps: Lemon-lime soda instead of ginger ale, or a splash of orange juice for a “modern” twist.
Ingredients You Will Need
In the 1930’s, the original Shirley Temple cocktail was always made with Ginger Ale but you can make it with any type of carbonated beverage you like. Common substitutions are lemon-lime soda and flavored sparkling water.
- Ginger Ale – As I mentioned before, you can substitute the ginger ale with another favorite carbonated drink.
- Grenadine – A tart-sweet bar syrup that’s commonly made from pomegranate, you can find it at the grocery store with the other mixers.
- Maraschino Cherries – With the stem, preferably.
- Lime Wedges – A natural way to add some festive holiday color if you’re serving this during the season.
- Ice – Lots of ice….lots and lots of ice.
Easy ratio (so you can adjust sweetness):
Start with 1 ounce grenadine per 8 ounces soda (about 1:8). Prefer it less sweet? Use ¾ ounce. Love it sweeter? Add up to 1½ ounces.
- Less sweet: ¾ oz grenadine
- Classic: 1 oz grenadine
- Extra sweet: 1½ oz grenadine
Where to find grenadine
Most grocery stores stock it near cocktail mixers/sodas, and some place it in or near the liquor aisle (even though it’s non-alcoholic).
How To Make A Shirley Temple
It’s super easy to make a Shirley Temple drink and it only takes about a minute.
- Prep the glass (optional): Rim with sanding sugar for a fun, festive look.
- Add ice to a highball or Collins glass.
- Pour in grenadine (start with 1 oz for a classic sweetness).
- Top with ginger ale and give it a gentle stir.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries (and a fun straw or cocktail pick).
To make a Dirty Shirley, simply stir in a shot of vodka, gin or your favorite rum!
I rimmed the glass with red sanding sugar just to make them a bit more festive and skewered my cherry with a christmas tree cocktail pick. Add some festive straws and you’re good to go.
Shirley Temple Without Grenadine
If you don’t have grenadine (or prefer not to use it), you can still make a delicious Shirley Temple drink.
Easy swaps:
- Cherry syrup (from cocktail mixers or soda aisle)
- Maraschino cherry juice (use a little and add simple syrup or honey to sweeten)
- Homemade cherry simple syrup: simmer equal parts sugar and water with cherries, then strain and chill.
You’ll still get that sweet cherry flavor and beautiful color, just with a different syrup base.
Kellie’s Tips and Shirley Temple Variations
- For a pretty “layered” look, pour grenadine over the ice first, then slowly add the soda.
- If you’re serving kids and adults, set up a Shirley Temple bar and let everyone adjust their grenadine.
If you love the classic Shirley Temple drink, here are a few fun twists:
- Dirty Shirley (adult version): Add 1–2 ounces vodka to the glass before topping with ginger ale.
- Party Punch Shirley Temple (for a crowd): Make a big batch by multiplying the ingredients by servings. Add the soda right before serving so it stays fizzy.
- Shirley Temple Float: Pour the drink as usual, then add 1 small scoop vanilla ice cream on top.
- Citrus Twist (popular modern version): Use lemon-lime soda and add a splash of orange juice for a bright, slightly fruitier sip.
Serving Suggestions
- Best glass: Highball or Collins glasses (or fun kid cups for parties).
- Ice matters: Crushed ice gives that classic “restaurant” feel, but cubes work great too.
- Make-ahead tip: Pre-measure grenadine in glasses, then top with soda right before serving.
- Garnish upgrade: Add 2–3 cherries, a cocktail pick, and a festive straw for instant party vibes.
More Easy Drink Recipes
My son said they taste just like the Shark Attack we made last summer. They make a great addition to any party and look just like my grown up Pomegranate Bellini…which, in all honesty, I prefer. Cheers!
- Orange Crush Cocktail Recipe // Video
- Sherbet Mimosa Float Recipe
- Easy Blender Eggnog Recipe // Video
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Shirley Temple Mocktail Recipe
Equipment
- 2 cups
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ginger ale
- 2 ounces grenadine syrup
- Lime wedges
- sanding sugar
- maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of two glasses.
- Dip the rims in sanding sugar.
- Fill each glass with crushed ice.
- Pour 1 ounce grenadine syrup over the ice in each glass.
- Top with ginger ale. Garnish with lime and cherries. Serve immediately
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
A Shirley Temple is a classic non-alcoholic drink made with soda and grenadine, usually garnished with cherries.
Most versions use ginger ale (or lemon-lime soda), grenadine, and maraschino cherries.
No, Shirley Temples are non-alcoholic. If you add vodka, it becomes a Dirty Shirley.
