My husband is a grown man who will order a Shirley Temple without a single ounce of shame, and I love him for it. Our son is the exact same way. So when we sat down at Disney's Hollywood Brown Derby (the replica of the iconic restaurant) I already knew what was coming: every time the waitress checked on us, it was "keep 'em coming" from both of them.
The way I make them at home is in respect to Miss Shirley Temple: real grenadine that's not too sweet, a hit of lime to keep it nice and bright, and good ginger ale that has just a little spice poured over to keep the gorgeous ombre layers before stirring it all up with a straw. We end up with a flavorful, fun drink that any guests (adults or kids) will ask for more of!
Jump to:
The Story Behind the Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple may not have liked them, but her namesake mocktail is a certified cult classic, honey. As the most famous child actress of her era, the original mocktail was created so she could join in the celebration like the adults around her, even if she later called it 'saccharine'. I guess not all kids want a drinkable piece of candy!
Nearly a hundred years later, it's still a favorite all across the U.S. The combination of ginger ale's gentle spice, grenadine's sweet-tart depth, and that cherry on top makes this an irresistible drink for the kids and kids at heart!
What You'll Need
- Ginger ale — the original for a reason. That gentle ginger spice balances the sweetness of the grenadine in a way lemon-lime soda just can't. And for me, personally, I love a spicy ginger beer. More flavor, less one-note sweetness.
- Real grenadine syrup — Grenadine is a pomegranate-flavored syrup, but that famous mixer at the store has no pomegranate at all, just corn syrup, red color, and artificial flavor. I use a homemade grenadine (equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar), it's easy to make and I keep it in the fridge.
- Fresh lime juice — a non-negotiable in my version! The tartness plays off the ginger spice and cuts through the sweetness of the grenadine in the best way. I think Shirley would have approved.
- Maraschino cherries — for garnish, yes, but also because a Shirley Temple without a cherry isn't a Shirley Temple. Get the ones with the stems!
How to Make a Shirley Temple
Step 1
Add the grenadine.
Pour the grenadine into the bottom of a tall glass first. This is the key to that gorgeous ombre effect: starting with grenadine at the bottom sets up the gradient before anything else goes in.
Step 2
Add the ice + ginger ale.
Fill the glass with ice, then slowly pour your ginger ale over it. A slow pour over the ice keeps the carbonation intact and preserves that gradient. Squeeze in your lime juice and give it the gentlest stir just to incorporate.
Step 3
Put the cherry on top!
Drop in your maraschino cherries (we love a lot of them!), garnish with lime slices, and serve immediately while it's still cold and fizzy.
Tips, Tricks, and Ways to Make It Your Own
- Dirty Shirley - the grown-up version. Add 1.5 oz of vodka before the ginger ale and suddenly you've got a cocktail that gives the same pretty presentation with a little something extra for the adults at the table.
- Roy Rogers - swap the ginger ale for cola and you've got the Shirley Temple's classic drink counterpart. Same grenadine, same cherry, completely different flavor profile.
- Canadian Shirley - add a hearty splash of orange juice to your Shirley Temple! This is a regional version they make in Canada.
- Batch it smart - If you're making these for a party, pre-measure your grenadine and lime juice into individual glasses ahead of time. Add ice and ginger ale right before serving so nothing goes flat.
Shirley Temple FAQs
Not at all, honey. Grenadine is a non-alcoholic syrup made from pomegranate juice and sugar. You'll find it in the mixer aisle at the grocery store, usually near the club soda. Make sure to read the ingredients: we want it made with the pomegranate juice!
You can pre-measure your grenadine and lime juice into glasses ahead of time, but hold off on the ginger ale until right before serving. A flat Shirley Temple is a sad Shirley Temple.
Absolutely. Add your grenadine and lime juice to a punch bowl with plenty of ice (bonus! Freeze cherries and lime slices in the ice for a great presentation), then pour in the ginger ale right before your guests arrive. Add it slowly and stir very gently, you want to keep that fizz aliv
More Family Friendly Mocktails
Craving more cozy recipes? Sign up for the Sweet Tea & Thyme newsletter, save this recipe with the Pin button. If you whip it up, tag me (@sweet_tea_thyme on IG/@sweetteaandthyme on TikTok) and don’t forget to leave a star rating and note below, it helps more than you know, friend.
Shirley Temple Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon grenadine syrup
- Ice, for serving
- 16 ounces ginger ale, or ginger beer for a spicy kick
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
- lime wheels, for garnish
Instructions
- Add one tablespoon of grenadine syrup to two glasses.2 tablespoon grenadine syrup
- Fill the two glasses with ice.Ice
- Pour the ginger ale over the ice to fill each glass and add the lime juice. Give a little stir and taste. If it's too sweet, add more lime juice. Too tart, add a little more grenadine.16 ounces ginger ale, 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Serve cold with as many maraschino cherries and lime wheels as you like!Maraschino cherries, lime wheels
Recipe Notes
Shirley Temple Variations
- Dirty Shirley — the grown-up version. Add 1.5 oz of vodka before the ginger ale and suddenly you've got a cocktail that gives the same pretty presentation with a little something extra for the adults at the table.
- Roy Rogers — swap the ginger ale for cola and you've got the Shirley Temple's classic drink counterpart. Same grenadine, same cherry, completely different flavor profile.
- Shirley Temple Punch — making these for a crowd? Multiply your grenadine and lime juice in the bottom of a punch bowl, add ice, then pour in your ginger ale right before serving. Add the soda last and do it slowly to keep the fizz alive.
- Canadian Shirley - add a hearty splash of orange juice to your Shirley Temple! This is a regional version they make in Canada.
Leave a Reply