5 from 1 vote

Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

This Shirley Temple drink recipe is a classic mocktail beverage that is sure to 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!

A shirley temple drink in a glass mug with a straw and an orange slice for garnish.


This original Shirley Temple recipe is fruity, sweet, 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.

​Satisfy the craving for your favorite childhood drink recipe by making this classic Shirley Temple mocktail. 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 so impressive.

I have so many fond childhood memories of visiting restaurants with my family and I’d always want to order this popular drink. I remember 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!

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    We like to make special beverages at least once or twice a week to enjoy with our favorite snacks. There are a few drinks that stay in rotation at our homes and those also include this cranberry mint mocktailsparkling grape lemonade, and peachy sparkler recipe

    recipe binder image

    Why You’ll Love This Classic Shirley Temple 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

    This post contains affiliate links.

    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 its 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: The classic staple in this iconic drink, sweet grenadine syrup is a non-alcoholic sweetener that is typically used for all types of beverages including cocktails. It has a brilliant bright red color. I like Rose’s Grenadine Syrup.
    • Cherries: Maraschino cherries are the traditional way to serve this dazzling drink.
    Shirley Temple ingredients.

    How to Make a Delicious Shirley Temple

    • Step One: Add ice, orange juice, lemon lime soda and grenadine to a glass.
    Steps to make a shirley temple.
    • Step Two: Top with cherries.
    Steps to make a shirley temple.

    Equipment Needed

    • Silicone Ice Cube Tray: What was life without a silicone ice cube tray? I use this ice cube tray because it makes it oh, so easy for the ice cubes to fall out.
    • Measuring Cups and Spoons: I love these stainless steel measuring cups and spoons because they are easy to clean and use! 
    • Serving Glass: I used my favorite mason jars for this recipe. You can use any kind of glass, though. 

    What to Serve with a Classic Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

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

    ​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 some fresh mint leaves, fresh 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 the maraschino cherry juice, too.
    • 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 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.

    Shirley Temple drink in a glass with a straw and an orange slice.

    Why is it called a Shirley Temple? 

    Some people report that this beverage is known as a Shirley Temple because it was served to the iconic child star named 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 Shirley Temples 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 full of flavor.

    Garnishes

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

    What Type of Glass Is Best?

    ​This classic non-alcoholic drink is traditionally served in a tall glass or a highball glass. You want the glass to be big enough to hold the drink and ice. I sometimes use a mason jar style glass.

    ​You can also use a Collins glass or a hurricane glass.

    Recipe Tips

    • 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 has a weird taste if it’s in the freezer too long.
    • Don’t forget the garnishes. They had a burst of freshness and make a beautiful presentation.
    Overhead of a shirley temple drink.

    FAQ

    What is grenadine?

    Grenadine is a sweet fruity syrup used in cocktails and some non-alcholic drinks. It’s made from pomengranate juice and sugar, plus other added ingredients in the store-bought versions like corn syrup and artificial flavors and colors. It’s a deep red color with a sweet and slightly tart flavor. You can make your own homemade grenadine syrup if you prefer.

    Can I make a Shirley Temple without grenadine?

    Yes, you can make a Shirley Temple without grenadine if you don’t have any. Substitute lime juice in its place and you’ll still have a great drink with fruit flavor.

    Does it have alcohol?

    No, it’s typically served as a non-alcoholic beverage. You can make a Dirty Shirley Cocktail if you add vodka.

    What is a Roy Rogers?

    Roy Rogers is another classic recipe named after the famous cowboy actor and singer. It’s made with cola, grenadine syrup and a maraschino cherry for garnish. 

    More Fun Drinks You’ll Love

    Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

    5 from 1 vote

    Shirley Temple

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 1
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    This classic mocktail beverage is sure to 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!

    Ingredients
     
     

    • cup orange juice
    • 1 cup lemon lime soda
    • 2 tbsp grenadine
    • 4 maraschino cherries
    • Ice

    Instructions

    • Add ice, orange juice, lemon lime soda and grenadine to a glass.
    • Top with cherries.

    Notes

    I use either Sprite or 7-Up for the soda.
    SHOP Recommended Products

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Sugar: 33g

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Beverages
    Cuisine American
    Keyword Shirley Temple

    Did you make this recipe?

    I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.

    Want Even More Recipes?

    Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.


    The Best of Simply Stacie ebook cover.

    free ebook!

    The Best of Simply Stacie

    When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    21 Comments

    1. We don’t have a juice press but we love Shirley Temples, we’ll make it with regular orange juice and hopefully it will be just as good! Thank you!

    Similar Posts