Classic Shirley Temples
A Classic Shirley Temple is one of those drinks that instantly feels cheerful and familiar. It’s sweet, bubbly, and fun without trying too hard. And because it’s alcohol-free, that means it’s a welcome drink at family gatherings where everyone wants to have something special to drink.
This drink is built on fizzy soda with a splash of grenadine, which gives it an unmistakable pink-red color and light cherry flavor. Finished with maraschino cherries, it’s refreshing, lightly sweet, and easy to sip, especially served ice cold.
Shirley Temples come together in minutes and use ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. When you want something festive without alcohol or complicated prep, this is a reliable choice that works for kids and adults alike.
The ingredients are simple and flexible, which makes this drink easy to adjust. You can choose your preferred soda and control the sweetness by adding grenadine gradually until it’s just right for you.
- soda, either ginger ale or lemon lime, use diet or regular
- grenadine
- ice
- maraschino cherries
- picks
What Is Grenadine?
Grenadine is a bright red, sweet syrup most people recognize from cocktails and mocktails. Today, it’s typically made from sugar or corn syrup, water, food coloring, and artificial or natural flavoring, with little to no real fruit. Modern grenadine is designed to add color and sweetness rather than depth, which is why it often tastes more like generic cherry candy than anything else.
Grenadine was originally a syrup made from pomegranate juice. The name comes from the French word grenade, meaning pomegranate. Early versions were tart, slightly bitter, and richly flavored, giving drinks both sweetness and acidity. That balance made it a key ingredient in classic cocktails before cheaper, mass-produced substitutes slowly replaced the real thing.
Pick Your Preferences
You can easily change the personality of a Shirley Temple just by switching the soda. Lemon-lime soda keeps things bright and familiar, while ginger ale adds a warmer note that feels a little more grown-up. Even mixing the two half and a half creates a balanced drink that isn’t too sweet and still feels classic.
Different ginger ales bring very different results. A mild, widely available ginger ale keeps the drink soft and approachable, while a spicier craft ginger ale adds a sharper edge that cuts through the grenadine’s sweetness. If you like less sugar and more bite, this is an easy upgrade.
If you don’t have grenadine, you can add a good splash of the juice from the maraschino cherries. Or add a splash of maraschino liqueur to the grenadine for the best of both worlds.
Both regular and diet soda work well here, and the choice really comes down to preference. Regular soda gives the most traditional flavor, while diet soda still delivers the fizz and color without making the drink overly sweet.
For a lighter option, seltzer or club soda can be used in place of soda. This results in a less sweet drink, with the grenadine and cherries standing out more.
Classic Shirley Temple
Equipment
- 1 shot glass or Tablespoon
- glasses
- cocktail picks
Ingredients
- 12 ounces soda, ginger ale or lemon lime, regular or diet
- 4 to 6 tbsp grenadine syrup
- Ice
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill two 12 ounce glasses with ice
- Divide the soda evenly between the glasses and let the bubbles settle
- Add 2 to 3 tablespoons grenadine to each glass starting with less and adding more to taste
- Stir gently to combine
- Skewer maraschino cherries onto picks and garnish each drink
Video
Notes
- For a grown up version add a splash of vodka or rum
- Orange juice can be added for a fun twist
