Shirley Temple Recipe (2024)

ThisShirley Temple drinkrecipe is a classic mocktail beverage that is sure to take you back to childhood. A perfect treat for kids and kids at heart, this sipper is full of fresh citrus juice, and is, of course, topped with a maraschino cherry!

This original Shirley Temple recipe is fruity, sweet, refreshing thanks to orange juice, lemon and lime soda, and flavorful cherries. Make it for special occasions or whenever you want a special non-alcoholic sweet drink.

​Satisfy the craving for your favorite childhood drink recipe by making this classic Shirley Temple mocktail. Bright, sparkly, and full of fruity flavors, this fancy drink recipe is the perfect treat for any occasion. Don’t worry, it’s a simple recipe, but it always looks so impressive.

I have so many fond childhood memories of visiting restaurants with my family and I’d always want to order this popular drink. I remember my first Shirley Temple drink was at my cousin’s first communion celebration at the Shanty House restaurant in Petawawa, Ontario. I’ve been a big fan since then!

We like to make special beverages at least once or twice a week to enjoy with our favorite snacks. There are a few drinks that stay in rotation at our homes and those also include thiscranberry mint mocktail,sparkling grape lemonade, andpeachy sparkler recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Classic Shirley Temple Recipe

• Simple ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store.
• Easy recipe that the kids can help make.
• Can be made into an adult version.
• Named after the famous actress, Shirley Temple.
• It’s the most famous mocktail ever and is still popular today.
• Perfect drink to serve at a Memorial day celebration, baby shower or kid’s party.
• The drink is a gorgeous color and looks fancy.
• The refreshing citrus flavor hits the spot on a hot day.

Ingredients

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The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Ice: Use any kind of ice you want! We like to use cubed ice, but crushed is okay, too. You’ll want to make sure you have ice on hand so these drinks can be served cold.
• Orange Juice: The orange juice gives this Shirley Temple drink its hints of tropical and sweet flavors.
• Lemon-Lime Soda: Ginger Ale, Sprite, 7-Up, or any other type of lemon lime soda will work for this drink.
• Grenadine: The classic staple in this iconic drink, sweet grenadine syrup is a non-alcoholic sweetener that is typically used for all types of beverages including co*cktails. It has a brilliant bright red color. I like Rose’s Grenadine Syrup.
• Cherries: Maraschino cherries are the traditional way to serve this dazzling drink.

How to Make a Delicious Shirley Temple

• Step One:Add ice, orange juice, lemon lime soda and grenadine to a glass.

• Step Two:Top with cherries.

Equipment Needed

• Silicone Ice Cube Tray: What was life without a silicone ice cube tray? I use this ice cube tray because it makes it oh, so easy for the ice cubes to fall out.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: I love these stainless steel measuring cups and spoons because they are easy to clean and use!
• Serving Glass: I used my favorite mason jars for this recipe. You can use any kind of glass, though.

What to Serve with a Classic Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

Pair this fruity drink with its pretty pink color with your favorite snacks! We like these easy snacks:

• Air Fryer Potato Chips
• Pizza Popcorn
• Southwestern Party Nuts
• Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
• Taco Roasted Chickpeas

​Variations and Substitutions

Have fun experimenting with different versions of this drink.

• Make it a Virgin Mojito. Use club soda instead of lemon-lime soda. Add some fresh mint leaves, fresh lime juice and a splash of simple syrup (or sugar).
• Try a Shirley Temple Black. Use Coca Cola instead of lemon-lime soda for a darker version.
• Make a Dirty Shirley Temple. Add 1 to 2 ounces of vodka for a grown-up version. You could also use light rum.
• Try a Shirley Temple with a Twist. Add a splash of grenadine, raspberry syrup, pomegranate syrup or pomegranate juice. You could also add the maraschino cherry juice, too.
• Make a Shirley Temple Margarita. Use margarita mix instead of lemon-lime soda and add a splash of orange juice.
• Switch out the lemon-lime soda for ginger ale and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Swap out the orange juice for pineapple juice or cranberry juice.

Storage Instructions

​The best Shirley Temple is served fresh. Make it and drink it. I don’t recommend storing in the fridge for more than 1 day as the soda pop will lose its fizz. For that reason, I don’t recommend freezing it either.

Why is it called a Shirley Temple?

Some people report that this beverage is known as a Shirley Temple because it was served to the iconic child star named Shirley Temple. She was popular in Hollywood in the 1930s and was featured in many films of that era including Bright Eyes, Curly Top and Heidi. She was known for her curly hair and dimples.

As the story goes, the true Shirley Temple drink was invented in the 1930s by a bartender at Chasen’s, a famous Beverly Hills restaurant frequented by celebrities. Shirley was a regular customer at the restaurant.

Are Shirley Temples made with Sprite or Ginger Ale?

The original Shirley Temple recipe was served with ginger ale, but modern recipes feature this drink to be served with all types of tasty lemon-lime sodas. Using lemon-lime soda allows the Shirley Temple to be bright and full of flavor.

Garnishes

• Orange slice
• Lime wedges or slice
• Lemon wedges or slice
• Extra maraschino cherries

What Type of Glass Is Best?

​This classic non-alcoholic drink is traditionally served in a tall glass or ahighball glass. You want the glass to be big enough to hold the drink and ice. I sometimes use a mason jar style glass.

​You can also use a Collins glass or a hurricane glass.

Recipe Tips

• Adjust the grenadine syrup to your taste. I like to use two tablespoons, but you could use less or more depending on how sweet you want the drink to be
• Chill the ingredients. Start with cold soda and grenadine. This will help to keep the drink cool and prevent the ice from melting too quickly.
• Use fresh ice. Fill the glass with freshly made ice before adding the rest of the ingredients. Old ice sometimes has a weird taste if it’s in the freezer too long.
• Don’t forget the garnishes.They had a burst of freshness and make a beautiful presentation.

FAQ

More Fun Drinks You’ll Love

• Strawberry Vanilla Smoothie
• Summer Beverage Recipes
• Butterscotch Steamer
• Reese Coffee Milkshake
• Orange Julius

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