The Shirley Temple is a delightful and refreshing non-alcoholic drink that has been a favorite for generations. This classic mocktail is perfect for both kids and adults, offering a sweet and fizzy treat that can be enjoyed on any occasion. With its vibrant red hue and a cherry on top, it's as visually appealing as it is tasty.
One of the key ingredients in this recipe is grenadine, a sweet and tangy syrup made from pomegranate juice. While ginger ale or lemon-lime soda are common household beverages, grenadine might not be as readily available. You can find it in the cocktail mixers section of most supermarkets. Additionally, maraschino cherries are typically found in the canned fruit aisle or near the ice cream toppings.

Ingredients For Shirley Temple Recipe
Ginger ale: A carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger, providing a spicy and sweet taste.
Lemon-lime soda: A clear, carbonated soft drink with a citrus flavor, often used as an alternative to ginger ale.
Grenadine: A sweet, red syrup made from pomegranate juice, adding color and flavor to the drink.
Maraschino cherry: A preserved, sweetened cherry used as a garnish, adding a pop of color and a sweet finish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your Shirley Temple, consider using freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of store-bought lemon-lime soda. This will add a natural citrusy zing to the drink. Additionally, try chilling your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before filling it with ice and ginger ale. This will keep your drink colder for longer and prevent the ice from melting too quickly, ensuring a perfectly refreshing beverage.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ginger ale - Substitute with club soda: Club soda provides a similar fizzy texture without the ginger flavor, allowing the grenadine to shine.
ginger ale - Substitute with sparkling water: Sparkling water offers the same effervescence and can be flavored with a splash of lemon or lime juice to mimic the taste of lemon-lime soda.
grenadine - Substitute with pomegranate juice: Pomegranate juice has a similar tart and sweet flavor profile, making it a great natural alternative to grenadine.
grenadine - Substitute with raspberry syrup: Raspberry syrup provides a fruity sweetness that complements the other ingredients well.
maraschino cherry - Substitute with fresh cherry: A fresh cherry offers a more natural flavor and less added sugar compared to a maraschino cherry.
maraschino cherry - Substitute with dried cherry: Dried cherries can add a chewy texture and concentrated sweetness as a garnish.
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How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
- To keep your Shirley Temple fresh and fizzy, store it in the refrigerator. Use an airtight container to prevent the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda from going flat.
- If you plan to enjoy your Shirley Temple later, prepare the drink without the ice and maraschino cherry. Add these just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.
- For a fun twist, freeze the grenadine in ice cube trays. This way, you can add a pop of color and flavor to your drink as the cubes melt.
- If you have leftover Shirley Temple, avoid freezing the entire drink as the carbonation will be lost. Instead, freeze the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda separately in ice cube trays and use them to chill your drink without diluting it.
- Store any extra maraschino cherries in their original jar, ensuring the lid is tightly sealed. Keep them in the refrigerator to maintain their sweetness and texture.
- For a quick and easy prep, pre-mix the grenadine with the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda and store it in a pitcher. Just remember to give it a gentle stir before serving to redistribute the flavors.
- If you want to prepare a large batch for a party, mix the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda with the grenadine in a large pitcher and refrigerate. Add ice and maraschino cherries to individual glasses just before serving to keep the drink fresh and bubbly.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Pour the Shirley Temple into a heat-resistant glass or mug.
- Place the glass in a microwave and heat on medium power for 10-15 seconds. This will take the chill off without making it too warm.
- Alternatively, you can pour the Shirley Temple into a small saucepan and warm it over low heat on the stove for about 1-2 minutes, stirring gently to ensure even heating.
- If you prefer a cold drink, simply add fresh ice cubes to the leftover Shirley Temple and give it a gentle stir to refresh the flavors.
- Garnish with a fresh maraschino cherry to enhance the presentation and taste.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Glass: A vessel to hold the drink and showcase its vibrant colors.
Ice: Essential for chilling the drink and adding a refreshing element.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the exact amount of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda.
Tablespoon: For accurately measuring the grenadine.
Stirring spoon: To gently mix the grenadine with the soda.
Maraschino cherry: A garnish that adds a pop of color and a touch of sweetness.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-chill your glass: Keep your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before making the drink to ensure it's extra cold and refreshing.
Use pre-made ice: Have a stash of ice cubes ready in your freezer to save time when preparing the drink.
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda and grenadine in advance to speed up the assembly process.
Batch preparation: If making multiple drinks, mix larger quantities of ginger ale and grenadine in a pitcher and pour over ice as needed.
Garnish ahead: Pre-skewer maraschino cherries on toothpicks for quick and easy garnishing.

Shirley Temple Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
- 1 tablespoon Grenadine
- 1 piece Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda over the ice.
- Add the grenadine and stir gently.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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