I first tried a Shirley Temple drink when I was about 10 years old. We were at a wedding, and they served me one with dinner. The gorgeous color, bubbles, and sheer elegance of my fancy drink impressed me, and it was love at first sight.
Shirley Temple Drink – Refreshingly sweet and irresistibly bubbly, this iconic childhood favorite never goes out of style! The vibrant color and mouthwatering combination of lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, and orange juice make it a highly requested beverage. A few ingredients and a couple of minutes turn any meal into a celebration!
Years later, I’m still obsessed with Shirley Temples. Now, they’re for more than just weddings because they ramp up summer BBQs, kids’ parties, and weekends at the beach. It’s an irresistible beverage that adapts to any occasion!
What Does a Shirley Temple Drink Taste Like?
Shirley Temples have a bold mix of flavors. The lemon-lime soda gives them a citrusy sweetness, while the orange juice and grenadine kick in a fruity tang. It’s an addictive balance of tart with sweet. And if you add ginger ale, you’ll also taste the subtle ginger notes.
Recipe Ingredients
- Soda – Delightful citrusy fizziness from lemon-lime adds a delicate flavor to your Shirley Temple. Sprite, 7Up, or any other brand works. But a splash of ginger ale is good too.
- Grenadine – Gives the drink its beautiful, rosy hue and the perfect blend of sweet and tart.
- Orange Juice – For its bright, fresh flavor and an additional pop of citrus.
- Ice Cubes – Helps keep the drink ice-cold and refreshing!
- Garnish – Maraschino cherries, orange slices, lime slices, or fresh mint leaves take this drink beyond fancy!
How to Make a Shirley Temple Drink
- Prepare the Glasses – Place ice in a tall iced-tea glass, then pour the grenadine syrup over the ice.
- Mix – Add orange juice, then top with lemon-lime soda (and/or ginger ale), forming a beautiful gradient.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Finishing Touch – Garnish with maraschino cherry, mint, orange, and lemon slices, and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Turn it into a dessert! Make the recipe as directed, but instead of ice, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the drink to create a refreshing and unique float.
- Turn the mocktail into a cocktail. Add two ounces of vodka with the grenadine, and voila! You have a Dirty Shirley. Or use black rum instead of vodka to make the distinctive Shirley Temple Black.
- Wanna rim the glasses? Dip the rim of your glass in water, then in granulated sugar for an eye-catching finishing touch.
Tips and Tricks
- This drink is so refreshing served ice-cold! Chill the glasses and the ingredients beforehand to keep them cool.
- To prevent loss of carbonation, pour the soda slowly into the glass and serve immediately.
- Used crushed ice instead of large ice cubes to give the drink a more festive look for holiday events.
Make-Ahead Instructions
It’s best to serve your Shirley Temple drink immediately so it doesn’t lose its fizz or get watered down. But you can make the drink without ice in a punch bowl or a pitcher a little before the event if you’re serving a crowd. Then add the ice when your guests arrive.
Serving and Storage Instructions
There are a couple of ways to store Shirley Temples to enjoy later. First, refrigerate the mixture, and when ready to use it, add a splash of soda to revive the carbonation.
Second (and my favorite), pour your mix into a popsicle mold and freeze it for a delicious icy snack!
FAQs
Grenadine is a non-alcoholic syrup made from pomegranate juice. Its name is the French word for pomegranate, grenade (da bomb, not a bomb). So chic!
No grenadine on hand? Cherry or maraschino cherry juice also works. They provide a milder flavor but are equally refreshing and rosy. Cranberry cocktail concentrate is also a delicious substitute.
Legend has it that when Shirley Temple was a child and everyone else was enjoying their adult cocktail, the bartender made her a special non-alcoholic drink so as not to feel left out. Shirley Temple claimed she had nothing to do with it, but we can still enjoy it.😉
What to Serve With a Shirley Temple
Mocktails and snack foods go hand in hand! For a cocktail party or movie night with the family, serve homemade tortilla chips with decadent dips like restaurant-style salsa. Smoked chicken wings and ham and cheese sliders also make tasty additions to any snack table.
More Thirst-Quenching Non-Alcoholic Beverage Recipes to Try
Conclusion
This rosy, bubbly beverage is fun and refined, appropriate for any occasion and age group! When did you try your first Shirley Temple? Leave me a comment below and share your memories!
Watch How to Make It
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Shirley Temple
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Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 ounces or 240ml) lemon-lime soda and/or ginger ale (7Up, Sprite, Vernor's, Canada Dry, etc.)
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce or 30ml) grenadine syrup
- ¼ cup (60ml) orange juice
- Small ice cubes
- Garnishes Maraschino cherries, orange slices, lime slices, and/or fresh mint
Instructions
- Place ice in a tall ice-tea glass, then pour the grenadine over the ice.
- Add orange juice, then top with lemon-lime soda forming beautiful gradient colors.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry, mint, and orange or lemon slices, and enjoy!
Tips & Notes:
- This drink is so refreshing served ice-cold! Chill the glasses and the ingredients beforehand to keep them cool.
- To prevent loss of carbonation, pour the soda slowly into the glass and serve immediately.
- Used crushed ice instead of large ice cubes to give the drink a more festive look for holiday events.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Crystal F says
Thanks for sharing! This takes me back to my childhood when our local restaurants had it on the kids menu. Sadly, I don’t see it anymore. I will have to make this at home so I can finally have my kids taste what I always tell them about.
Imma says
Thank you:) There’s more to come, so stay tuned