Shirley Temple
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This easy Shirley Temple drink recipe is so much fun! The original mocktail, made with just 2 simple ingredients & all the fancy garnishes!
We are making Shirley Temples today!
I’m sure many of us look back fondly on memories of drinking Shirley Temples as children. For me, it was the drink to order at a restaurant!
Now I like to make them as a treat for my own kiddos! It couldn’t be easier to do but it gives them so much joy!
You only need 2 basic ingredients, but when you pour them into a stemmed glass and add loads of fancy garnishes, there’s nothing more fun.
I think of the Shirley Temple drink as the original mocktail. It’s completely non-alcoholic but makes you feel so special. However, if you want a grown-up version, scroll down to the tips section for a quick how-to. We call it a “Dirty Shirley Temple.”
For more great drink recipes, be sure to have a look at my mojito recipe, my white sangria recipe, and my traditional iced tea tutorial!
Table of Contents
- What is a Shirley Temple drink?
- Why this is the best Shirley Temple recipe
- What does a Shirley Temple taste like?
- Ingredients
- Special equipment
- How to make a Shirley Temple
- How to serve a Shirley Temple
- Expert tips
- Frequently asked questions
- A few more of my best kid-friendly recipes
What is a Shirley Temple drink?
This is an easy, non-alcoholic (aka: virgin) drink recipe that kids love! It’s made with just 2 ingredients but I love to fancy it up with lots of fun garnishes.
Why this is the best Shirley Temple recipe
- Tastes amazing: This mocktail is fizzy, sweet, and icy-cold!
- Few ingredients: You’ll only need 2 basic ingredients.
- Easy to make: Takes minutes.
- Fun: It’s bright pink and makes you feel so fancy!
What does a Shirley Temple taste like?
This drink is fizzy and sweet!
It’s got a flavor of juicy red fruits and depending upon what kind of soda you use, there might be a ginger warmth or a bright citrusy taste.
Ingredients
Grenadine: This is a bright red syrup made from pomegranates. You can find it in the mixers section of your regular grocery store.
Soda: Either lemon-lime soda or ginger ale are traditional.
Garnishes: To make things extra-fun, add slices of orange, maraschino cherries, and fresh mint.
Special equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons: Follow my guide on how to measure ingredients.
- Ice: To keep it cold and frosty.
- Glasses: Champagne coupes or flutes, or any kind of stemware makes this drink feel so fancy!
- Picks: Cocktail picks for skewering the garnishes, and/or drink umbrellas.
How to make a Shirley Temple
This easy recipe comes together in just 2 simple steps.
Step 1: Ice and grenadine
Fill the glass with ice and pour the grenadine over it.
Step 2: Soda
Then top everything off with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale. That’s all there is to it!
How to serve a Shirley Temple
I like to skewer a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick and add a thin slice of orange that’s been folded in half. Then, a sprig of fresh mint and a drink umbrella, just for the fun of it!
Serve this drink any time you want to make someone feel special.
Expert tips
How to make a dirty Shirley Temple: For a grown-up version, add 2 ounces of vodka. Or use the same amount of rum, tequila, or gin.
Chill the ingredients: Your drink will stay cold for much longer if the grenadine and soda are already chilled before you mix up this drink.
Serve a crowd: Make a whole pitcher of Shirley Temples by scaling the quantities up by however many people you’d like to serve. Keep the ice in an insulated bucket on the side and allow your guests to pour for themselves.
Additional garnishes: Swizzle sticks, colorful straws, and drink charms make things even more fun and fancy!
Frequently asked questions
Not only is a Shirley Temple non-alcoholic, it’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free, vegetarian, and vegan!
This recipe uses one whole mini can of soda, and it makes one serving.
You can scale it up easily by using as many mini-cans as needed.
The nutritional info includes the garnishes listed.
I’d give it about an hour before it warms up and loses its fizz.
Making them too far ahead of time is probably not the best idea. But they’re so quick and simple it’s not a problem!
A few more of my best kid-friendly recipes
As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Shirley Temple Drink
Ingredients
- 1 ounce (28.35 g) grenadine
- 7.5 ounces (212.62 g) soda, such as lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
- 1 slice (14 g) orange , optional garnish
- 1 (5 g) maraschino cherry, optional garnish
- 1 sprig (1 g) fresh mint, optional garnish
- 1 (1 g) drink umbrella, optional garnish
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice and pour in the grenadine.
- Top with soda, and garnish with orange slices, maraschino cherries, fresh mint, and paper umbrellas, if desired.
Can you put green food coloring in with my shirley temple drink for st.patricks day?
I think the combination of green and red might make it look a little muddy…