Shirley Temple Drink Recipe: Classic Mocktail, Sprite & Dirty Shirley 

A Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic mocktail made with ginger ale, grenadine syrup, and maraschino cherries. It’s sweet, fizzy, and cherry-red in color. Loved by kids and adults alike, it takes under 5 minutes to make, requires no special tools, and works perfectly as a party mocktail or a nostalgic treat any time of year.

What Is a Shirley Temple and Where Did It Come From?

The Shirley Temple is one of the most recognized non-alcoholic cocktails in the world. Named after the beloved 1930s child actress Shirley Temple, the drink was designed to give young guests something special to sip while the adults enjoyed cocktails.

The origin is disputed. Two locations claim credit: the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu and the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood. The Royal Hawaiian story holds that hotel staff created a special drink for the young star during a 1935 visit ginger ale, grenadine, and a cherry garnish. The Brown Derby story follows a similar plot.

Here’s the irony: Shirley Temple herself reportedly disliked the drink. According to a 1986 statement, she said, “I had nothing to do with it.” She even took legal action against companies that tried to bottle and sell it under her name. Despite that, the Shirley Temple has outlasted decades and remains one of the most ordered mocktails in American restaurant history.

What Are the Ingredients in a Shirley Temple?

The classic Shirley Temple drink recipe uses just three ingredients:

• Ginger ale The traditional base. Its mild spice balances the sweetness of grenadine.
• Grenadine syrup  Provides the signature cherry-red color and sweet, pomegranate-forward flavor.
• Maraschino cherries  Both a garnish and a finishing flavor. Use stemmed cherries so they’re easy to eat.
• Ice  Essential for temperature and dilution control.

Ingredient Quality Matters

Store-bought grenadine often contains corn syrup and red dye rather than real pomegranate juice. Opting for a quality brand or making your own by simmering pomegranate juice and sugar noticeably improves the drink’s depth and color.

Classic Shirley Temple Recipe (Step-by-Step)

At-a-Glance

Ingredients

• 8 oz (240 ml) chilled ginger ale
• 1 oz (30 ml) grenadine syrup
• 2–3 maraschino cherries with stems
• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Chill your glass : Place the glass in the freezer for 5 minutes beforehand for best results.
2. Add cherries and ice : Drop 2 cherries into the bottom of a tall glass. Fill halfway with ice.
3. Pour the grenadine : Pour 1 oz (30 ml) of grenadine directly over the ice.
4. Add the ginger ale  Slowly pour 8 oz (240 ml) of cold ginger ale over the ice to preserve carbonation. Don’t stir vigorously gentle swirling is enough.
5. Garnish and serve :  Top with a stemmed cherry. Add a paper straw and serve immediately.

How to Make a Shirley Temple with Sprite

Sprite and 7UP are popular substitutes for ginger ale. The difference is subtle but worth knowing:

• Ginger ale adds a slightly spiced, mellow sweetness and is the traditional choice.
• Sprite or 7UP delivers a brighter, citrus-forward flavor profile that skews sweeter.

To make a Shirley Temple with Sprite, follow the same recipe above and swap ginger ale with 8 oz (240 ml) of Sprite or 7UP. Because lemon-lime soda is sweeter than ginger ale, reduce the grenadine to ¾ oz (22 ml) to keep the flavor balanced.

This version is especially popular with kids and anyone who prefers a lighter, less spiced taste.

Which Soda Should You Choose?

What Is a Shirley Temple Called When It Has Alcohol?

A Shirley Temple made with alcohol is called a Dirty Shirley. The “dirty” designation in cocktail culture signals the addition of a spirit to an otherwise non-alcoholic drink. In this case, vodka is the go-to choice.

Dirty Shirley Recipe

The Dirty Shirley keeps everything that makes the original great the fizz, the cherry sweetness, the grenadine glow and adds a clean kick of vodka.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) vodka
• 1 oz (30 ml) grenadine syrup
• 6 oz (180 ml) lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
• Ice cubes
• 1 maraschino cherry (Luxardo recommended)

Instructions:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Pour in the grenadine and vodka.
3. Slowly add the soda and gently stir.
4. Garnish with a cherry and serve.

Calories: ~271 kcal per serving (Taste of Home Test Kitchen)

Dirty Shirley Variations:

• Whiskey Dirty Shirley : Swap vodka for bourbon for a deeper, more complex flavor.
• Tequila version : Use 1.5 oz blanco tequila for a fruitier, agave-forward twist.
• Flavored vodka: Cherry or raspberry vodka amplifies the fruity sweetness.
• Citrus squeeze : Add a fresh squeeze of lemon or lime to brighten the entire drink.

What Is the Original Shirley Temple Drink Recipe?

The original Shirley Temple is straightforward: ginger ale, grenadine, and a maraschino cherry garnish. Some early versions included a splash of orange juice, which added a citrusy, sunny dimension to the drink. The Allrecipes version of the original, for example, lists ½ cup (120 ml) orange juice, ½ cup (120 ml) lemon-lime soda, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) grenadine.

Both versions are valid. The ginger ale-only version is more widely recognized today, while the orange juice variation adds a slightly tangy brightness that works well for brunch occasions.

Shirley Temple Drink Recipe Grenadine: What You Need to Know

Grenadine is the soul of the Shirley Temple. Get it right, and the drink sings. Use a cheap corn syrup product, and it tastes flat and overly sweet.

Types of grenadine:

• Commercial (corn syrup-based): Rose’s is the most common. It’s sweet, artificially flavored, and gets the job done.
• Premium (pomegranate-based): Brands like Monin and Stirrings use real pomegranate juice. The flavor is richer, slightly tart, and far more layered.
• Homemade grenadine: Simmer equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Cool before using. The result is a fresher, more complex grenadine that transforms the drink.

How much grenadine to use: 1 oz (30 ml) per 8 oz drink is the sweet spot. Add more for a deeper color and sweeter taste; reduce for a lighter, more subtle flavor.

Creative Variations and Seasonal Twists

The classic Shirley Temple is a launchpad for all kinds of creative riffs:

• Frozen Shirley Temple : Blend ginger ale, grenadine, ice, and cherries for a slushy version.
• Strawberry Shirley Temple : Add 1 oz strawberry puree or muddled fresh strawberries.
• Tropical version : Swap ginger ale for pineapple soda and add a splash of coconut cream.
• Holiday Shirley Temple (Santa Hat) – Combine ½ cup (120 ml) cranberry juice, ½ cup (120 ml) Sprite, 1 oz grenadine, top with whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry.
• Low-sugar version – Use unsweetened sparkling water and a grenadine made with a natural sweetener like honey.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Shirley Temple

Even the simplest drinks have pitfalls:

• Using warm soda : Always start with cold ginger ale. Warm carbonation goes flat the moment it hits ice.
• Stirring too aggressively : A gentle swirl preserves bubbles. Vigorous stirring kills carbonation and flattens the drink.
• Pouring soda too fast : Foam overflow wastes soda and weakens the drink’s structure.
• Skipping quality grenadine : Cheap grenadine dominates the flavor profile in the worst way. A small upgrade here makes a big difference.
• Too much grenadine : More than 1.5 oz in a standard glass tips the drink into syrup territory.

Serving Suggestions: When and How to Serve a Shirley Temple

The Shirley Temple excels in a variety of settings:

• Family gatherings and holiday parties : The perfect drink for guests of all ages.
• Baby showers and brunches : Festive, non-alcoholic, and beautiful in a champagne flute.
• Alongside food : The sweetness pairs well with salty, savory bites: pizza, cheeseburgers, pastries, and quiche.
• Batch serving : Multiply the grenadine base by the number of servings and refrigerate. Add soda and ice per glass at service time to protect the carbonation.

Glassware tips: A tall Collins glass or highball glass shows off the drink’s red hue best. For a party, a clear plastic cup with a paper umbrella and a paper straw keeps the nostalgia alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Shirley Temple suitable for children and pregnant women?
Yes. The classic Shirley Temple is entirely non-alcoholic. It contains no allergens beyond the grenadine’s sweeteners and the cherries’ brining liquid. It is safe for children and pregnant women. The Dirty Shirley, however, contains vodka and is not suitable for either group.

 How many calories are in a Shirley Temple?
A standard Shirley Temple (8 oz ginger ale + 1 oz grenadine) contains approximately 173 calories, 45g of carbohydrates, and 44g of sugar per serving, according to Taste of Home’s Test Kitchen analysis. The Dirty Shirley contains approximately 271 calories due to the addition of 2 oz vodka.

How do I make a low-sugar Shirley Temple?
Replace regular ginger ale with unsweetened sparkling water and use a reduced-sugar or honey-based grenadine. This can cut the sugar content by 40–60% while maintaining the drink’s visual appeal and fizz.

Can I make Shirley Temples ahead of time for a party?
Partially. Combine the grenadine (and vodka for Dirty Shirleys) in a pitcher up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add the soda and ice per glass at serving time to preserve carbonation. Pre-mixed drinks with soda go flat within 30 minutes.

What is the difference between a Shirley Temple and a Roy Rogers?
Both are classic non-alcoholic mocktails with grenadine and a maraschino cherry garnish. The Shirley Temple uses ginger ale or lemon-lime soda as its base, while the Roy Rogers uses cola. The Roy Rogers was created in the 1940s and named after Western film star Roy Rogers.

What is a Dirty Shirley made with?
A Dirty Shirley contains 2 oz (60 ml) vodka, 1 oz (30 ml) grenadine, and 6 oz (180 ml) lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, served over ice with a maraschino cherry garnish.

How much grenadine goes in a Shirley Temple?
The standard amount is 1 oz (30 ml) of grenadine per 8 oz serving. Increase to 1.5 oz for a deeper color and sweeter taste, or reduce to ¾ oz for a lighter, more subtle flavor.

Can I use Sprite instead of ginger ale in a Shirley Temple?
Yes. Sprite and 7UP are common substitutes. They produce a brighter, citrus-forward flavor compared to ginger ale’s mild spice. When using Sprite, reduce the grenadine slightly to balance the added sweetness of the lemon-lime soda.

What is the Shirley Temple drink recipe in ml?
The classic recipe in milliliters: 240 ml chilled ginger ale + 30 ml grenadine syrup + 2–3 maraschino cherries + ice. For a Dirty Shirley: 60 ml vodka + 30 ml grenadine + 180 ml lemon-lime soda or ginger ale + ice.

Why didn’t Shirley Temple like her namesake drink?
In a 1986 statement, actress Shirley Temple Black said she had nothing to do with the creation of the drink. She reportedly found it too sweet and went to court twice to prevent companies from commercially bottling a drink under her name. Despite her objections, the mocktail has remained a cultural staple for nearly 90 years.