This Shirley Temple drink is a classic non-alcoholic cocktail. Made with ginger ale, grenadine, lime juice, and a maraschino cherry, this easy mocktail recipe is delightfully refreshing on a hot summer day.
This simple Shirley Temple mocktail comes together in minutes and is one of our favorite non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy in the hot summer months. It’s similar to the Roy Rogers drink, which is another mocktail made with nearly identical ingredients, but it doesn’t have any caffeine so it’s especially suitable for young children who want a special drink (and whose parents don’t want them hyped up on caffeine afterward!)
Why You’ll Love This Shirley Temple Drink
- Easy. You won’t need any fancy ingredients or techniques to make a classic Shirley Temple drink. Just pour and serve!
- Perfect for family gatherings. Because a Shirley Temple doesn’t have any alcohol or caffeine, it’s ideal for family get-togethers where you want to offer a “fancy” drink to children.
What is a Shirley Temple?
A Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic mocktail made of only 4 ingredients: ginger ale, grenadine, lime juice, and a maraschino cherry. Some modern recipes will replace the ginger ale with club soda or lemon-lime soda. Shirley Temples are a popular drink for children who are dining at restaurants with adults and want a special drink.
What You’ll Need
You’ll only need 4 simple ingredients to make a Shirley Temple:
- Ginger Ale Soda – Some people will replace this with club soda (makes the drink less sweet) or lemon lime soda (for more citrus flavor).
- Grenadine – This is a pomegranate syrup.
- Lime Juice – I recommend using fresh lime juice for the most brightness and flavor.
- Maraschino Cherry – This is a kind of cherry that is preserved and jarred. You can usually find it in grocery stores in the dessert aisle.
How to Make a Shirley Temple
- Add ice to a tall glass. Fill it about halfway.
- Add ingredients. Add the grenadine and lime juice. Pour in the soda.
- Stir and serve. Give everything a stir. Top with a cherry and start sipping!
How to Make a “Dirty” Shirley Temple
If you want to add alcohol to your drink, then technically you’ll be making what’s called a “Dirty Shirley Temple.” The most common kinds of booze added to this drink are rum or vodka. Add about 1.5 – 2 oz of either to this drink when the grenadine and lime juice are added. The more alcohol you add the stronger your drink will be. (Note that if you use dark rum, then the drink is called a “Shirley Temple Black.”)
Frequently Asked Questions
Shirley Temple was an American child actress in the 1930s who was famous for her dimples, curly hair, and cheery personality. She was a talented singer and dancer who was discovered at the age of 4 by casting director Charles Lamont while she was at a dance class. Lamont invited her to audition for the studio Educational Pictures, and she signed a contract with them shortly afterward. Eventually, she became part of the 20th Century-Fox ensemble and rocketed to superstardom.
According to legend, the Shirley Temple drink was invented when Shirley was at a restaurant with her parents and annoyed that she couldn’t drink the Old Fashioned cocktails they were sipping. The bartender decided to make her a non-alcoholic drink to cheer her up. Interestingly though, as an adult, Shirley Temple said that the drink was not invented for her. She even sued a company that wanted to use her name for a bottled version of the drink.
Shirley Temple Drink
This Shirley Temple drink is a classic non-alcoholic cocktail. Made with ginger ale, grenadine, lime juice, and a maraschino cherry.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Stir
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 12-oz ginger ale soda
- 1 tablespoon grenadine
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 maraschino cherry
Instructions
Add ice to a tall glass. Pour the grenadine and lime juice over the ice.
Add the soda and give everything a good stir.
Top with a cherry and start sipping!
Notes
For a Dirty Shirley Temple drink add 1.5 – 2 oz of vodka or rum along with the grenadine and lime juice.
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