Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

Ratings: from .

PREP TIME 2 min

Cocktail Type

Non-Alcoholic

Great for

Garden Party

Difficulty

Easy

A pair of pretty pink-hued Shirley Temple cocktails garnished with cherries, standing on a white surface, one behind the other

Learning how to make a Shirley Temple cocktail is a rite of passage for every new cocktail enthusiast. This iconic non-alcoholic drink was originally dreamed up for 1930s child actress Shirley Temple, who would often accompany her parents and fellow actors to cocktail hour.   

The bartender decided to include her in a cute way and created a signature kid-friendly drink in her honor. Featuring ginger ale, lemon or lime juice, and a splash of grenadine as ingredients, this sweet, girlish drink is garnished with a maraschino cherry.  

 

QUICK TIPS

01

Make your own homemade grenadine to make it extra special.

02

Add a splash of your favorite spirit to turn this mocktail into a cocktail.

03

Use club soda instead of ginger ale if you like it a little less sweet.

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

0.5 Oz

15 Ml

0.5 Parts

Grenadine
0.25 Oz

7.5 Ml

0.25 Parts

Lime juice, freshly squeezed
5 Oz

150 Ml

5 Parts

Ginger ale (or ginger beer), chilled
2
Maraschino cherries to garnish
Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

01

Fill a Collins glass with cubed ice

02

Add the grenadine and lime juice

03

Top with the ginger ale and gently stir to combine

04

Garnish with maraschino cherries, and serve

Who invented the Shirley Temple?

The exact origin of this classic mocktail is a bit of a mystery, but it’s possible that it was first served at the Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles, a claim that was made by Ms. Temple herself. However, other establishments also lay claim to its creation. 

These days the mocktail has outgrown its reputation as a child’s drink, and the Shirley Temple is now a popular choice for anyone seeking a fun and approachable non-alcoholic beverage. 

FUN FACT! Official(ish) rumors have it that Ms. Temple herself did not actually like the cocktail made in her honor all that much, finding it a little on the sweet side.

Burning question: Are Mocktails Healthy? Here’s the Skinny! 

Variations of the Shirley Temple to try

Keen to play around with the standard list of Shirley Temple ingredients to make it your own? Here are a few ideas to get you started:  

Make your own grenadine

To make your own homemade grenadine, combine 2 cups of pomegranate juice (or cherry juice) and two cups of granulated sugar in a saucepan. Bring it to a slow boil, stirring constantly until all the sugar is dissolved then reduce the heat and cover. Allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  

Remove the syrup from the heat, allow it to cool, and pour it into a small glass bottle or decanter with a tight-sealing lid. Add a dash or two of orange flower water (or Grand Marnier if you want a bit of kick) to the bottle, give it a few shakes, and store until you are ready to use it in a cocktail or mocktail of your choice. 

Play around with your mixer

You can replace the ginger ale with ginger syrup and club soda or skip the ginger entirely and opt for lemon-lime soda or lemonade. You can also turn this mocktail into a cocktail, , by adding 2 oz of SKYY Vodka, Bulldog Gin, or another spirit of your choice. This alcoholic version is known as the Dirty Shirley.  

Read next: Easy Syrup Variations for Cocktails

When to serve a Shirley Temple mocktail

Our Shirley Temple drink recipe makes a great option for everyday enjoyment. It’s especially nice to serve at:  

  • Baby showers (tailormade for moms-to-be) 
  • Bachelorettes (the sober-curious crew adore it!) 
  • Summer garden parties (pretty as a picture) 
  • Shirley Temple movie marathons (we love Curly Top, and The Little Colonel) 

More mocktail inspo: 8 Easy Mocktails for Simple and Clean Sipping 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The taste of a Shirley Temple mocktail is often described as being sweet, fruity, and bubbly. The combination of flavors and the effervescence from the soda and ginger ale make it a popular and enjoyable mocktail for people of all ages. If you like fun, approachable drinks, you're bound to enjoy the taste of a Shirley Temple!

The Shirley Temple cocktail is named after the famous child actress, Shirley Temple. It was created in the 1930s and became popular as a non-alcoholic drink option for children, thanks to Temple's wholesome image. Today it’s a fun mocktail enjoyed by people of all ages.

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