Classic Shirley Temple Mocktail With Grenadine And Ginger Ale

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By Alex

Posted on

Colorful cherry limeade cocktails with ice, mint, lime slices, and cherries in glasses, with a pitcher and bowl.

Mocktails

Difficulty

Easy

Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

Servings

1

Some drinks just stick with you. The Shirley Temple is that drink… all pink bubbles and cherry-on-top energy. It’s got diner nostalgia baked in but somehow still feels fresh today.

This mocktail isn’t just cute, it’s easy and always a hit. No mixing gear no bartender skills needed. Just pour, stir, drop a cherry and it’s a party. Whether it’s a baby shower a backyard hang or just a Tuesday you’re trying to make cuter… this one shows up.

It’s sweet, it’s sparkly and it’s secretly iconic. And yeah, it still totally holds up!

About the Shirley Temple Mocktail

So, back in the day when Shirley Temple was the biggest name in Hollywood, under the age of 10, someone made her a special drink so she could sip with the adults. No alcohol, just vibes.

It was simple, ginger ale plus a splash of grenadine and a cherry on top. That’s it. But it looked fancy enough for the red carpet and it tasted like a celebration.

Over the years, it stuck around not just cause it’s cute but cause it’s actually good. Sweet fizzy and just a little dramatic… this drink knew what it was doing before mocktails were even a thing.

Shirley may’ve been the face but the drink’s got staying power. It’s proof that classics stay classic for a reason.

Tips To Make The Perfect Shirley Temple At Home

Refreshing tropical cocktail with lime, cherry, and mint garnish on a dark wood table. Perfect summer drink setting.

 

The Shirley Temple might be easy but a few small moves can take it from meh to make another one right now. Here’s how to get it right every time:

  • Keep everything cold: From the soda to the glass chill is the goal
  • Start with cold ginger ale: Warm soda is a straight-up buzzkill
  • Add grenadine slowly: Pour it in last to get that pretty pink swirl
  • Stir gently: Keeps it fizzy and cute not flat and sad
  • Use real maraschino cherries: The juicy kind not those dried-out wannabes
  • Add a citrus slice: Lemon or orange makes it feel a little more grown
  • Serve in a clear glass: Show off that color don’t hide it

Doesn’t need to be fancy just fresh and fizzy. A few small tweaks and you’ve got a drink that feels like a tiny celebration.

Best Foods To Pair It With

This drink’s sweet and bubbly so it plays best with snacks that are either salty fun or a little nostalgic. Think party food but make it cute:

Birthday cake or cupcakes: Classic combo with big kid energy.

Popcorn or kettle corn: Salty or sweet this drink loves both.

Sliders or mini sandwiches: A little savory to balance the sugar.

Fruit salad with berries and citrus: Fresh and colorful like the drink.

Waffles or French toast: Brunch it up and go full syrup mode.

The Shirley Temple’s got range… it vibes with sweet brunches, chill movie nights and pretty much anything on a buffet table.

Need some ALCOHOL-FREE spirits for your mocktails? Why not try one of these?

The Free Spirits Company

OR Cut Above Zero Proof Spirits.

OR Sentia Spirits.

One of these is bound to have what you need !

Classic Shirley Temple Mocktail Recipe

Refreshing cherry lime mocktail with mint garnish in a glass with ice, surrounded by cherries and lime slices.

The Shirley Temple is the kind of mocktail that reminds us drinks don’t have to be complicated to be special. It’s sweet, sparkly and full of charm, just like the best kind of party guest.

Keep the cherries stocked and the ice cold and you’re always ready to turn the ordinary into something a little magical.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
  2. Pour the ginger ale over the ice, filling it about three-quarters full.
  3. Add the grenadine syrup to the glass and stir gently to mix.
  4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry on top and a slice of lemon or orange, if desired.
  5. Serve immediately and enjoy the bubbly sweetness!

Prep Times:

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes

Nutrition Information:

  • Servings: 1 mocktail
  • Calories: 350kcal
  • Fat: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Carbohydrates: 88g

Shirley Temple Variations To Try

Once you’ve got the classic down it’s kinda hard not to play around with it. The Shirley Temple is lowkey a remix queen…here’s how to switch it up:

Swap ginger ale for lemon-lime soda: Makes it lighter and a little more citrusy.

Add orange juice: Turns it into a mini sunrise in a glass.

Use sparkling water: For when you want the bubbles without all the sweet.

Drop in a splash of lime juice: Adds a zippy little twist.

Try bitters: Still booze-free but adds depth if you’re feeling grown.

Play with it till it fits your vibe. The base is so simple you can’t really mess it up.

Looking for some more mocktail recipes? Try a Hibiscus cooler of a Gunner.

To pin for later:

Vibrant Shirley Temple mocktail with cherry and lime garnish; perfect kids' drink with straws on rustic table.
Yield: 1

Shirley Temple Mocktail

Refreshing cherry lime mocktail with mint garnish in a glass with ice, surrounded by cherries and lime slices.

Shirley Temple - A kid-friendly mix of ginger ale with a splash of grenadine, topped with a maraschino cherry - playful, nostalgic, and delightfully refreshing!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Ginger Ale
  • 1 tablespoon Grenadine syrup
  • 1 Maraschino Cherry for garnish
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon or orange slice for garnish (optional)
  • Orange juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
  2. Pour the ginger ale over the ice, filling it about three-quarters full.
  3. Add the grenadine syrup to the glass and stir gently to mix.
  4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry on top and a slice of lemon or orange, if desired.
  5. Serve immediately and enjoy the bubbly sweetness!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 88gFiber: 6gSugar: 68gProtein: 4g

This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.

About the author: Alex

Alex is the creator behind Mocktails ‘n Cocktails, where he stirs up drink inspiration for every kind of host, from the cocktail curious to the sober celebrators. With a love for great flavor and zero fuss, he’s here to help you host gatherings that feel warm, run smoothly and bring people together - no stress required.
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