Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

This Shirley Temple drink recipe is a classic mocktail beverage that will take you back to childhood. A perfect treat for kids and kids at heart, this sipper is full of fresh citrus juice and is, of course, topped with a maraschino cherry!

This original Shirley Temple recipe is fruity, sweet, and refreshing, thanks to orange juice, lemon and lime soda, and flavorful cherries. Make it for special occasions or whenever you want a special non-alcoholic sweet drink.

​This classic Shirley Temple mocktail satisfies your craving for your favorite childhood drink recipe. Bright, sparkly, and full of fruity flavors, this fancy drink recipe is the perfect treat for any occasion. Don’t worry; it’s a simple recipe, but it always looks impressive.

I have so many fond childhood memories of visiting restaurants with my family, and I’d always want to order this popular drink. My first Shirley Temple drink was at my cousin’s first communion celebration at the Shanty House restaurant in Petawawa, Ontario. I’ve been a big fan since then!

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We like to make special beverages at least once or twice a week to enjoy with our favorite snacks. A few drinks stay in rotation at our homes, including this cranberry mint mocktail, sparkling grape lemonade, and peachy sparkler recipe. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store.
• Easy recipe that the kids can help make.
• Can be made into an adult version.
• Named after the famous actress Shirley Temple.
• It’s the most famous mocktail ever and is still popular today.
• Perfect drink to serve at a Memorial Day celebration, baby shower, or kid’s party.
• The drink is a gorgeous color and looks fancy.
• The refreshing citrus flavor hits the spot on a hot day.

Ingredients

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The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Ice: Use any kind of ice you want! We like to use cubed ice, but crushed is okay, too. You’ll want to make sure you have ice on hand so these drinks can be served cold.
• Orange Juice: The orange juice gives this Shirley Temple drink hints of tropical and sweet flavors.
• Lemon-Lime Soda: Ginger Ale, Sprite, 7-Up, or any other type of lemon-lime soda will work for this drink.
• Grenadine: A classic staple in this iconic drink, sweet grenadine syrup is a non-alcoholic sweetener typically used for all types of beverages, including cocktails. It is a brilliant, bright red color. I like Rose’s Grenadine Syrup.
• Cherries: Maraschino cherries are the traditional way to serve this dazzling drink.

How to Make a Delicious Shirley Temple

• Step One: Add ice, orange juice, lemon lime soda, and grenadine to a glass.

• Step Two: Top with cherries.

What to Serve with It

Pair this fruity drink with its pretty pink color with your favorite snacks! We like these easy snacks:

• Air Fryer Potato Chips
• Pizza Popcorn
• Southwestern Party Nuts
• Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
• Taco Roasted Chickpeas

​Variations and Substitutions

Have fun experimenting with different versions of this drink. 

• Make it a Virgin Mojito. Use club soda instead of lemon-lime soda. Add fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and a splash of simple syrup (or sugar).
• Try a Shirley Temple Black. Use Coca-Cola instead of lemon-lime soda for a darker version.
• Make a Dirty Shirley Temple. Add 1 to 2 ounces of vodka for a grown-up version. You could also use light rum.
• Try a Shirley Temple with a Twist. Add a splash of grenadine, raspberry syrup, pomegranate syrup, or pomegranate juice. You could also add maraschino cherry juice.
• Make a Shirley Temple Margarita. Use margarita mix instead of lemon-lime soda, and add a splash of orange juice.
• Switch out the lemon-lime soda for ginger ale and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Swap out the orange juice for pineapple juice or cranberry juice.

Storage Instructions

​The best Shirley Temple is served fresh. Make it and drink it. I don’t recommend storing it in the fridge for more than 1 day as the soda pop will lose its fizz. For that reason, I don’t recommend freezing it either.

Why is it Called a Shirley Temple? 

Some people report that this beverage is known as Shirley Temple because it was served to the iconic child star Shirley Temple. She was popular in Hollywood in the 1930s and was featured in many films of that era, including Bright Eyes, Curly Top, and Heidi. She was known for her curly hair and dimples.

As the story goes, the true Shirley Temple drink was invented in the 1930s by a bartender at Chasen’s, a famous Beverly Hills restaurant frequented by celebrities. Shirley was a regular customer at the restaurant.

Are They Made With Sprite or Ginger Ale? 

The original Shirley Temple recipe was served with ginger ale, but modern recipes feature this drink to be served with all types of tasty lemon-lime sodas. Using lemon-lime soda allows the Shirley Temple to be bright and flavorful.

Garnishes

• Orange slice
• Lime wedges or slice
• Lemon wedges or slices
• Extra maraschino cherries

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Adjust the grenadine syrup to your taste. I like to use two tablespoons, but you could use less or more depending on how sweet you want the drink to be
• Chill the ingredients. Start with cold soda and grenadine. This will help to keep the drink cool and prevent the ice from melting too quickly.
• Use fresh ice. Fill the glass with freshly made ice before adding the rest of the ingredients. Old ice sometimes tastes weird if it’s in the freezer too long.
• Don’t forget the garnishes. They add a burst of freshness and make a beautiful presentation.

FAQ

More Fun Drinks You’ll Love

• Strawberry Vanilla Smoothie
• Butterscotch Steamer
• Reese Coffee Milkshake
• Orange Julius

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