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When you need a fun and refreshing non-alcoholic drink, try making a classic Shirley Temple recipe. This popular iconic drink is crisp and sweet, and party friendly for all ages.
Shirley Temple Drink Recipe
Named after a favorite child actress from the 1930’s, the Shirley Temple drink was created for kids who wanted a fancy drink at parties. It’s traditionally made with ginger ale and grenadine syrup, and then topped with a bright red cherry, making a beautiful drink in it’s glass.
Because of the festive colors, I like to serve this drink at holiday parties and brunches. But it’s light and refreshing flavor makes this drink perfect for summer days, picnic, and BBQ’s too.
What makes the Shirley Temple such a beloved drink is its simplicity and versatility. The ginger ale or lemon-lime soda provides a light, effervescent base, while the grenadine adds a burst of sweetness and a lovely pink hue. Topped with a cherry, it’s a drink that looks as good as it tastes.
Ingredients You Will Need to Make This Drink
Ginger Ale: A fizzy, mildly sweet carbonated drink with a light ginger flavor. It is very light and refreshing, making it perfect for the base of this non-alcoholic drink.
Grenadine Syrup: A deep red pomegranate syrup that adds a red color to drinks, and a little sweetness.
Maraschino Cherry: Bright red, sweet cherries, are preserved in sweet syrup. I love to use this to garnish my Shirley Temples.
Ice: This drink is best served over ice.
How to Make a Shirley Temple Mocktail
STEP 1. Begin by filling a tall glass with a handful of ice cubes.
STEP 2. Slowly pour the ginger ail over the ice, letting the bubbles settle.
STEP 3. Once the fizziness has died down, pour the grenadine syrup over the ginger ale. It will sink to the bottom of the glass, and that’s ok.
STEP 4. Use a cocktail stirrer or a spoon to gently stir the drink. This will mix the grenadine with the ginger ale.
STEP 5. Garnish with a cherry or two before serving. You can just drop it in the glass, or make a small slice on the bottom of the cherry, and place it on the rim of the glass. Add a straw and serve.
Tips for making Shirley Temples Drinks
- Chill Ingredients: This drink is best when chilled. You can chill your ginger ale before mixing, and add glasses to the freezer for 30 minutes to chill first. This will help prevent the ice melting and watering down the drink.
- Add Grenadine Slowly: Pour the grenadine slowly for a beautiful layered effect. It sinks to the bottom, creating fun layers of color.
- Crushed Ice for Texture: Crushed ice not only keeps the drink cold but adds a refreshing texture that enhances the experience.
- Garnishes: For additional color, add a sprig of fresh mint or an orange wedge next to the cherries.
Variations
- Dirty Shirley: To make this a cocktail, add an ounce of vodka.
- Shirley Temple Float: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for twist on a root beer float.
- Fruit Garnishes: Garnish with fresh fruits like orange slices, lemon wedges, or even a skewer of berries for added flavor and presentation.
- Change the Flavors: Add a splash of orange juice or cherry juice to your drink for a sweet twist to the taste.
- Change the Cola: Swap out the ginger ale for sprite or 7-up. Or make it a Roy Rogers drink using coke.
FAQ’S
Absolutely! Simply use sugar-free ginger ale, Sprite, or 7-Up.
Grenadine is made from pomegranate juice and cherry syrup is from cherries, which are much sweeter. You can use either for this drink, or use grenadine and then add a splash of cherry juice.
When you need a large amount for a party, mix the ingredients into a punch bowl or serving pitcher, but use chilled ingredients so when ice is added it doesn’t water down your drink.
You can use pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, or cherry juice if you don’t have grenadine.
More Drink Recipes
Shirley Temple Drink
Equipment
- Glasses
- Drink stirrer
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ginger ale
- 1/2 ounce grenadine syrup
Garnish: Fresh maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Begin by filling a tall glass with a handful of ice cubes.
- Slowly pour the ginger ail over the ice, letting the bubbles settle.
- Once the fizziness has died down, pour the grenadine syrup over the ginger ale. It will sink to the bottom of the glass, and that's ok.
- Use a cocktail stirrer or a spoon to gently stir the drink. This will mix the grenadine with the ginger ale.
- Garnish with a cherry or two before serving, then add a straw and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this drink, reminds me of my childhood. I use to get this drink in Boone NC, great memories.