Shirley Temple

Table of Contents

1. Ingredients
2. Substitutions and Additions
3. How to Make a Shirley Temple
4. How To Serve a Shirley Temple
5. Why You'll Love This Recipe for a Shirley Temple
6. Recipe FAQ
7. Serving FAQ
8. Storage FAQ
9. JUMP TO RECIPE

Bring back a childhood favorite with this fun and fizzy Shirley Temple recipe made right at home. It’s sweet, bubbly, and packed with cherry flavor. This non-alcoholic drink only needs a few ingredients and comes together in minutes. Serve it at parties, family dinners, or anytime you want a quick treat.

This recipe is easy to make—just follow the simple guide below. We include step-by-step photos, helpful pro tips, and expert tricks. Plus, we answer the most frequently asked questions to help you make it perfectly every time.

This Shirley Temple recipe takes just two minutes to make and tastes way better than anything from the store or restaurant. It’s fizzy, cherry-sweet, and always fun for kids and grown-ups alike.

Make this easy Shirley Temple for parties, family dinners, or a quick treat after school. You only need a few ingredients and no prep time.

What you'll need to make this Shirley Temple recipe:

• Ice cubes
• 1 fluid ounce of grenadine
• Fresh lime juice from one lime
• 8 fluid ounces of ginger ale
• maraschino cherries
• orange slice and lime wedges (for garnish), optional

Alcohol: Turn this into a grown-up drink called a “Dirty Shirley” by adding vodka or light rum.

Soda: Many people use lemon-lime soda instead of ginger ale. Either one works great for that fizzy base. Club soda also works if that’s what you have.

Orange Juice: Some versions add a splash of orange juice for extra color and a fun, fruity citrus boost.

Grenadine: Grenadine is classic, but you can use maraschino cherry juice if that’s all you’ve got. It’s not as sweet, but still gives the pink color.

Follow along with our step-by-step pictures to make the best Shirley Temple right at home. Check out the tips and tricks listed below to help you get it just right. Let’s get started!

FIRST STEP: Fill your chosen glass with ice – a favorite is a Collins glass, highball glass, or a tumbler.

SECOND STEP: Add one fluid ounce of grenadine to the glass over the ice.

THIRD STEP: Squeeze the juice from the lime into the glass.

FOURTH STEP: Add eight fluid ounces of ginger ale.

FIFTH STEP: Decorate with maraschino cherries and slices of lime on the rim of the glass.

You can serve this Shirley Temple recipe in so many fun ways, all year long. It’s kid-friendly, quick to make, and always a crowd-pleaser.

• Perfect for birthdays and parties: This drink brings a pop of color and fizz to any celebration. Kids love the cherry on top! Serve it with a Reuben sandwich and cake mix cookies for a full party spread.
• Great for holidays and special dinners: Pour it in fancy glasses for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Easter brunch. Pair it with baked ham or cheesy potato casserole for a fun twist.
• Easy summer refresher: Keep it cool at cookouts, pool parties, or backyard BBQs. It goes great with cheeseburger casserole or chili cheese dog bake.

The Shirley Temple has stayed a reader favorite for good reason. It’s fast, fun, and full of charm without being fussy. This drink brings a pop of fun to any table and keeps everyone smiling from the first sip.

• Kid-Friendly Fun:
  Kids feel fancy sipping it, and grown-ups love having a sweet, bubbly option without alcohol.
• No Special Tools Needed:
  No blender, shaker, or mixer—just pour, stir, and drop in a cherry.
• Great for Every Season:
  Whether it’s hot or cold out, this drink works all year long.
• Perfect for Parties:
  It always looks festive and feels special, even if you’re just having dinner at home.
• Budget Friendly:
  It costs less than store-bought soda and tastes way better.
• Customizable:
  Add orange juice, swap the soda, or make it a Dirty Shirley with one simple step.

We know you’ll love making this Shirley Temple just as much as everyone else does!

Can I make a Shirley Temple without grenadine?
Yes, you can make it without grenadine by using maraschino cherry juice instead. It still adds color and sweetness.

What kind of soda works best in a Shirley Temple?
You can use ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. Both make a fizzy drink, but ginger ale is the original.

Can I make this Shirley Temple recipe ahead of time?
No, because the soda will go flat and lose its fun fizz.

Do I need fresh cherries for this Shirley Temple recipe?
No, you don’t need fresh cherries. Use maraschino cherries for the classic look and sweet cherry flavor.

Can I double or triple this recipe for a group?
Yes, you can double or triple a Shirley Temple recipe. Just keep the same ratios and mix right before serving.

How do I make a Shirley Temple look fancy?
To make it look fancy, serve it in a tall glass with ice, a straw, and a cherry on top.

Does the order of ingredients matter when making this drink?
Yes, pour the soda first, then add the grenadine. This helps mix the Shirley Temple evenly without needing to stir much.

Can I add orange juice to a Shirley Temple?
Yes, you can add orange juice. It brings in extra fruit flavor and adds a bright citrus color.

What’s the best way to serve a Shirley Temple at a party?
Serve in clear cups with ice and cherries so guests can see the fun colors and enjoy the fizz.

How much grenadine should I use in a Shirley Temple?
Use about 1 tablespoon of grenadine per drink. That gives the right amount of sweetness and pink color.

Should I serve a Shirley Temple with a straw or spoon?
Serve a Shirley Temple with a straw for easy sipping and a spoon if you want to scoop the cherry.

Can I serve Shirley Temples in a punch bowl for a group?
Yes, you can pour Shirley Temples into a punch bowl and add ice and cherries just before serving for best fizz.

What kind of glass works best for serving a Shirley Temple?
Use a tall glass or plastic party cup so the drink stays bubbly and leaves room for ice and garnish.

How do I keep Shirley Temples cold at a picnic or outdoor party?
Keep Shirley Temples cold by pouring over lots of ice or storing soda and grenadine in a cooler until ready.

Is a Shirley Temple good for holiday dinners or brunches?
Yes, it looks festive and works well for brunches, Easter, Valentine’s Day, or even Christmas dinner.

Follow the tips and steps below to serve your Shirley Temple fresh and fizzy every time. These storage tricks help keep the soda bubbly, the cherry sweet, and the drink tasting just right. Stick to the guide so you don’t lose that classic look and flavor.

Can I prepare a Shirley Temple ahead of time?
No, you should wait to mix your Shirley Temple until right before serving. That way, the soda stays fizzy and fresh.

What’s the best way to store leftover Shirley Temple?
Shirley Temples don’t store well. The soda quickly goes flat, and the drink loses its fun and flavor.

Can I freeze a Shirley Temple for later?
No, freezing doesn’t work for Shirley Temples. The soda loses its fizz, and the cherry gets mushy.

How do I store opened grenadine after making Shirley Temples?
Store opened grenadine in the fridge with the cap tightly sealed. It will stay fresh for a few months.

Can I store the ingredients separately to make serving faster later?
Yes, keep the soda cold and the grenadine chilled. That way, you can mix a Shirley Temple in seconds.