Classic Shirley Temple
This bright, bubbly Shirley Temple is a simple nonalcoholic drink made with ginger ale, grenadine, lime, and a cherry on top. It is sweet, cheerful, and easy to mix by the glass.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 2 drinks
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
A Shirley Temple is the kind of drink that makes any table feel a little more festive. It is alcohol-free, fizzy, and sweet, with a rosy color from grenadine and a maraschino cherry for garnish.
The classic version is often made with ginger ale, though lemon-lime soda is also common. A small squeeze of lime keeps the drink from tasting flat and balances the syrup.
This recipe makes two tall drinks and takes about five minutes. Serve it right away while the bubbles are lively and the ice is still cold.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
5 items · 2 drinks
- 2 cups chilled ginger ale
- 1/4 cup grenadine
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 cups ice, or enough to fill 2 glasses
- 2 maraschino cherries, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the soda
Make sure the ginger ale is cold before you start. A chilled soda keeps the drink fizzy and prevents the ice from melting too quickly.
2. Fill the glasses
Divide the ice between two tall glasses. Fill each glass about halfway to three-quarters full, depending on how icy you like your drink.
3. Add the grenadine
Pour 2 tablespoons grenadine into each glass. Grenadine is a sweet red syrup, usually pomegranate-flavored, that gives the Shirley Temple its color.
4. Add the lime juice
Add 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice to each glass. This small amount adds brightness and helps balance the sweetness.
5. Pour in the ginger ale
Slowly pour 1 cup chilled ginger ale into each glass. Pour down the side of the glass if you want to keep more bubbles.
6. Stir gently
Use a straw or long spoon to stir each drink just once or twice. Stirring too much will knock out the fizz.
7. Garnish and serve
Top each drink with a maraschino cherry. Serve right away while the Shirley Temple is cold and bubbly.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead tip: Do not fully mix Shirley Temples ahead of time, because the soda will go flat. You can measure the grenadine and lime juice into glasses up to a few hours ahead, then add ice and soda just before serving.
- Storage: A mixed Shirley Temple is best enjoyed immediately. If you have leftovers, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day, but expect the drink to lose most of its fizz.
- Soda swap: Use lemon-lime soda for a sweeter, brighter version. Use club soda or sparkling water for a less sweet drink, though you may want a little extra grenadine.
- Grenadine note: Different brands vary a lot in sweetness and flavor. If yours tastes very sweet, start with 1 tablespoon per glass and add more to taste.
- For a party: Set out glasses, ice, chilled soda, grenadine, lime wedges, and cherries so guests can build their own drinks.
- To make it less sweet: Use half ginger ale and half sparkling water, or reduce the grenadine by half.
Cook's note
Nutrition is calculated with regular ginger ale, grenadine, fresh lime juice, and one maraschino cherry per serving. Ice is not included because it adds no calories. Values will change if you use diet soda, lemon-lime soda, or a different grenadine brand.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Is a Shirley Temple alcoholic?
No. A Shirley Temple is a nonalcoholic drink. It is made with soda, grenadine, and a cherry garnish.
What soda is used in a Shirley Temple?
Ginger ale is traditional in many recipes, but lemon-lime soda is also very common. Both work well. Ginger ale gives a softer spice note, while lemon-lime soda tastes sweeter and more citrusy.
Can I make a Shirley Temple without grenadine?
Yes, but it will taste different. You can use pomegranate syrup, cherry syrup, raspberry syrup, or the syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries in a pinch.
How do I make a less sugary Shirley Temple?
Use less grenadine and replace part or all of the ginger ale with sparkling water. You can also use diet ginger ale, but the flavor will depend on the brand.
Can I make a big pitcher of Shirley Temples?
You can mix the grenadine and lime juice in a pitcher ahead of time. Add the chilled soda and ice right before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
2 drinks
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium19 mg
- 1%
- Total Carbohydrate46 g
- 17%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars45 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium5 mg
- 0%
- Iron0.1 mg
- 1%
- Potassium12 mg
- 0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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