Shirley Temple Mocktail Drink

Shirley Temple

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

If you want a simple yet tasty cocktail, look no further than our Shirley Temple recipe. With basic ingredients, making this drink is a breeze.

Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

Kick back with our Shirley Temple recipe, a bubbly blend of ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, and a splash of Grenadine. This kid-friendly favorite is perfect for celebrations or cooling off on a hot day!

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

85 kl

Ingredients

  • 4 oz ginger ale
  • 1/2 oz grenadine
  • Ice cubes
  • Maraschino cherry, for garnish, optional
  • Lemon or lime slice, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill your highball glass with ice cubes.
  • Add Grenadine: Measure 1/2 oz grenadine and pour it over the ice.
  • Add Ginger Ale: Pour 4 oz ginger ale over the ice.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
  • Garnish: Drop a maraschino cherry or a slice of lemon or lime into the glass.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Ginger Ale: If you're out of ginger ale, use club soda with a splash of ginger syrup or even ginger beer for a spicier kick. I've tried it, and it's a nice twist.
  • Grenadine: No grenadine? Make a quick substitute with pomegranate juice and a bit of sugar. Mix them well and use them in place of Grenadine.

Making a Pitcher of Shirley Temple:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 32 oz of ginger ale, and 4 oz of Grenadine.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the ginger ale, and Grenadine. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of lemon or lime, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

The Shirley Temple is already a non-alcoholic drink so you can follow the original steps without any modifications.

Making it Vegan:

  • Maraschino Cherry: Traditional maraschino cherries are often colored with artificial dyes and may contain non-vegan preservatives. Opt for organic, vegan-friendly maraschino cherries if you stick to a vegan diet.
  • Grenadine: Most commercial grenadines are vegan, but checking the label for animal-derived ingredients is always good.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
85
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.01
g
0
%
Sodium
 
12
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
22
g
7
%
Fiber
 
0.2
g
1
%
Sugar
 
19
g
21
%
Potassium
 
6
mg
0
%
Protein
 
0.01
g
0
%
Vitamin A
 
2
IU
0
%
Calcium
 
7
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.2
mg
1
%

 

Shirley Temple Mocktail Drink

Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Kick back with our Shirley Temple recipe, a bubbly blend of ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, and a splash of Grenadine. This kid-friendly favorite is perfect for celebrations or cooling off on a hot day!
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 85

Ingredients
 

  • 4 oz ginger ale
  • 1/2 oz grenadine
  • Ice cubes
  • Maraschino cherry - for garnish, optional
  • Lemon or lime slice - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill your highball glass with ice cubes.
  • Add Grenadine: Measure 1/2 oz grenadine and pour it over the ice.
  • Add Ginger Ale: Pour 4 oz ginger ale over the ice.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
  • Garnish: Drop a maraschino cherry or a slice of lemon or lime into the glass.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Ginger Ale: If you're out of ginger ale, use club soda with a splash of ginger syrup or even ginger beer for a spicier kick. I've tried it, and it's a nice twist.
  • Grenadine: No grenadine? Make a quick substitute with pomegranate juice and a bit of sugar. Mix them well and use them in place of Grenadine.

Making a Pitcher of Shirley Temple:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 32 oz of ginger ale, and 4 oz of Grenadine.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the ginger ale, and Grenadine. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of lemon or lime, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

The Shirley Temple is already a non-alcoholic drink so you can follow the original steps without any modifications.

Making it Vegan:

  • Maraschino Cherry: Traditional maraschino cherries are often colored with artificial dyes and may contain non-vegan preservatives. Opt for organic, vegan-friendly maraschino cherries if you stick to a vegan diet.
  • Grenadine: Most commercial grenadines are vegan, but checking the label for animal-derived ingredients is always good.

 

What is a Shirley Temple drink?

A Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic cocktail drink that combines ginger ale and Grenadine for a sweet and bubbly experience. The Shirley Temple gets its name from the famous child actress of the same name, making it a cultural icon in its own right. This delightful beverage serves as a popular choice for those seeking a festive drink without the alcohol, embodying the spirit of its namesake’s wholesome and endearing image.

A side shot of a Shirley Temple mocktail in a highball glass with a bar spoon on a side, placed on a blue table, in front of some cocktail tools and a light yellow wall.

Shirley Temple Drink – The Ingredients

The ingredients for a Shirley Temple are as follows:

  • Ginger Ale: Adds the primary fizz and sweetness to the drink.
  • Grenadine: Provides a deep red color and a touch of tart sweetness.
  • Ice Cubes: Keep the drink chilled without diluting the flavors too much.
  • Maraschino Cherry: Serves as a colorful garnish and adds a hint of cherry flavor.
  • Lemon or Lime Slice: Offers a visual appeal and a subtle citrus aroma.

Ginger ale and grenadine laid out on a white bar table.

How to make a Shirley Temple Drink

Our guide simplifies each stage of preparing an Shirley Temple:

1
<p>First, fill your highball glass with ice cubes to make it nice and cold.</p>

First, fill your highball glass with ice cubes to make it nice and cold.

2
<p>Add ½ oz of Grenadine over the top of the ice.</p>

Add ½ oz of Grenadine over the top of the ice.

3
<p>Pour 4 oz of ginger ale over the ice, covering the cubes.</p>

Pour 4 oz of ginger ale over the ice, covering the cubes.

4
<p>Stir the ingredients gently using a bar spoon to combine the flavors.</p>

Stir the ingredients gently using a bar spoon to combine the flavors.

5
<p>Drop a maraschino cherry into the glass for a pop of color and a hint of cherry flavor. Optionally, place a slice of lemon or lime into the glass to add a subtle citrus aroma.</p>

Drop a maraschino cherry into the glass for a pop of color and a hint of cherry flavor. Optionally, place a slice of lemon or lime into the glass to add a subtle citrus aroma.

6
<p>Enjoy your Shirley Temple!</p>

Enjoy your Shirley Temple!

Shirley Temple Soda – Premade Mocktail for Kids

When it comes to pre-mixed Shirley Temple sodas, you’ve got a couple of solid options. Zevia offers a zero-calorie take on the classic, sweetened with Stevia, a hit for those watching their sugar. On the other hand, Stewart uses cane sugar and natural flavors to capture that nostalgic soda fountain feel. Of the two, I’d lean toward Stewart’s for the win. It nails the balance between sweet and tart, and the cane sugar adds an authentic touch that’s hard to beat. 

What is a Dirty Shirley Temple?

A Dirty Shirley Temple is a grown-up twist on the classic Shirley Temple. It adds vodka or another clear spirit to the traditional ginger ale and Grenadine mix. This addition of alcohol transforms the family-friendly favorite into a cocktail suitable for adult gatherings. The Dirty Shirley Temple maintains the sweet and bubbly characteristics of the original but with an extra kick from the alcohol.

A Shirley Temple mocktail, shot from above, in a highball glass with a bar spoon and a jigger on a side, placed on a blue table.

Variations

Thinking about alternative choices? We’ve highlighted some of our favorites.

  • Shirley Temple Black: This combines cola or black cherry soda with the signature grenadine syrup for a deeper, more mature taste. The dark soda offers a unique, rich flavor that perfectly complements the sweet grenadine. I appreciate the sophisticated depth this brings; it feels like a grown-up twist on a childhood classic.
  • Tropical Temple: This merges pineapple juice and coconut water, creating a refreshing escape to tropical shores. The pineapple juice adds a vibrant, fruity burst, while the coconut water introduces a subtle, refreshing twist. I love the way the coconut water’s lightness plays off the pineapple’s boldness, making it an irresistibly refreshing choice.
  • Cherry Bomb Cocktail: This infuses the effervescence of cherry soda into the mix, elevating the sweetness and adding a vivid cherry flavor. The cherry soda not only enhances the color but also deepens the fruitiness, making it an instant favorite for those who love a bold, fruity kick. The vibrant cherry flavor stands out to me, making it a lively and enjoyable pick.

A Shirley Temple mocktail, shot from above, in a highball glass with a bar spoon on a side, placed on a blue table.

History and Origins

The Shirley Temple cocktail traces its roots back to the 1930s, during the height of the American child actress Shirley Temple’s fame. Many believe that a bartender at Chasen’s, a famous Beverly Hills restaurant, created the drink as a non-alcoholic option for the young star. The aim was to give Shirley Temple a beverage she could enjoy while accompanying her parents at social events or Hollywood parties. Over time, the drink gained immense popularity, not just among children but also among adults looking for a non-alcoholic option. Its simple yet delightful combination of ginger ale, and Grenadine quickly made it a staple at parties, restaurants, and family gatherings. The drink’s fame spread internationally; today, you can find it on menus worldwide.

A side shot of a Shirley Temple mocktail in a highball glass with a bar spoon on a side, placed on a blue table, in front a light yellow wall.

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FAQ

How many calories are in a Shirley Temple?
It typically contains around 120-150 calories, depending on the brands of soda and Grenadine used.
What alcohol is used in a Shirley Temple?
This is a non-alcoholic cocktail, so it doesn't contain any alcohol.
In which glass is a Shirley Temple typically served?
It's usually served in a highball glass.
What does a Shirley Temple taste like?
The beverage has a sweet, bubbly, and slightly tart flavor profile, thanks to the combination of ginger ale, and Grenadine.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a Shirley Temple?
The typical ratio is 4 oz ginger ale, and ½ oz of Grenadine.
How is the Shirley Temple served in terms of ice?
The drink is generally served over ice cubes in a highball glass.

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