Shirley Temple Recipe
Posted Dec 28, 2025
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This shirley temple drink recipe is a fun nonalcoholic drink your kids will love! Create the best shirley temple you’ve ever had in under 5 minutes with only 4 ingredients in the comfort of your own home!
Every time we go out to a special dinner my kids order a shirley temple. It’s their favorite special occasion drink that makes them feel extra fancy every time they get to have one.
When one of my daughters was picking her birthday dinner, she asked if I could make her favorite drink at home – so I created this shirley temple recipe and all 6 of my kids say it’s the best they’ve ever had.
Made in 5 minutes with 4 ingredients, I’ve included the recipe for a single shirley temple drink as well as a large batch so you could make it for a crowd. This recipe uses ginger ale which is the more traditional base (over a lemon lime soda like sprite or 7up).
Shirley Temple Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ginger ale. The most traditional way to make the best shirley temple is by using ginger ale as the main liquid. If you must, you can substitute a lemon-lime soda like 7up or sprite.
- Grenadine. is made from pomegranate juice, sugar and water. Use a variety that contains real ingredients like this one and this one. Or, substitute it with pomegranate juice or cherry syrup in a pinch.
- Lime juice. don’t skip or omit! You can use orange juice if necessary.
- Maraschino Cherries. Choose cherries that are made with natural ingredients and no food dye – like this one.
How to Make a Shirley Temple
This recipe is very simple – but as always I have included step-by-step photos and a video to ensure your success.
To Make a Single Shirley Temple
Put the ingredients in a 16 ounce glass. This size will ensure there is room for the ice and cherries as well as the liquid.
If you want to make two – just double the recipe and mix the ingredients in two cups.
Then, stir to combine. Add your desired amount of ice to the cup, but be careful to make sure it doesn’t cause the liquid to overflow.
Add two or three maraschino cherries, either on top in a cute cocktail skewer or directly into the shirley temple drink.
Large Batch Shirley Temple
To make a larger batch – which is what I prefer to do since I have 6 kids. Combine the liquid ingredients in a large pitcher.
You can add the ice and cherries to the pitcher, or put ice in 5 or 6 glasses, then pour the mixture over the ice in individual glasses and then add cherries before serving.
Serve
Serve immediately. If you want to make them cute, get some cocktail picks or disposable cocktail picks, thread the cherries onto the picks and put them in the glass. You could even add a cute cocktail umbrella if you really want to be extra!
I personally just toss the cherries into the glass after I add the ice.
Store
If you have leftover shirley temple drink mixture, store it in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator. Do not add ice because it will be watered down.
Shirley Temple Recipe FAQS
The drink is named after the famous 1930s child actress Shirley Temple. The most well-known and widely accepted story is that a bartender created the drink for the her when she was dining out with her parents and felt left out because she couldn’t have a cocktail.
Grenadine is a very classic ingredient in this recipe that I don’t recommend substituting. You can use pomegranate juice or cherry syrup in a pinch.
A classic Shirley Temple (like this recipe) is made with ginger ale, grenadine syrup, lime juice and maraschino cherries.
Hands down, ginger ale makes the best shirley temple.
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Shirley Temple Drink Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ginger ale
- 3 Tablespoons grenadine
- ½ teaspoon lime juice
For Serving
- 3 maraschino cherries
- Ice
Instructions
Make a Single Shirley Temple
- Add ginger ale, grenadine and lime juice to a 16 ounce glass and stir to combine.
- Add ice and maraschino cherries.
- Serve cold.
Make a Large Batch Shirley Temple*
- Combine ginger ale, grenadine and lime juice (large batch amounts listed in the recipe notes below)* in a large glass pitcher.
- Put ice and cherries in 5 or 6 glasses, then evenly distribute the liquid between the glasses and serve.
Notes
*Large batch Recipe
- 2 liters ginger ale (64 ounces, half gallon)
- 1 cup grenadine
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 15 maraschino cherries
- ice
- Ginger ale. The most traditional way to make the best shirley temple is by using ginger ale as the main liquid. If you must, you can substitute a lemon-lime soda like 7up or sprite.
- Grenadine. is a syrup made from pomegranate juice, sugar and water. Use a variety that contains real ingredients like this one and this one. Or, it can be substituted with pomegranate juice or cherry syrup in a pinch.
- Lime juice. don’t skip or omit! Orange juice is the best substitute.
- Maraschino Cherries. Again, choose a maraschino cherry that is made with natural ingredients and no food dye – like this one.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
