Shirley Temple Drink Recipe: Ginger Ale, Grenadine, and a Cherry

By Aquarium Guides Editorial Team · Updated November 9, 2026

Last Updated: November 9, 2026

A Shirley Temple is made by pouring 6 ounces of ginger ale over ice, adding 1/2 ounce of grenadine, and topping with a maraschino cherry and a lime wedge. That is the whole recipe. The drink is sweet, fizzy, and rosy pink, and it has been the go-to kids’ drink at restaurants and parties for generations.

The drink is named for the child actress Shirley Temple, though stories about who first mixed it, and whether she liked it, vary. What matters is that it’s simple, colorful, and easy to adapt for adults who want a lighter, non-alcoholic option.

Ingredients

• 6 oz ginger ale (or lemon-lime soda), chilled
• 1/2 oz grenadine
• Ice cubes
• 1 maraschino cherry, or 2 for a classic look
• 1 lime wedge or orange slice

Instructions

1. Fill a tall glass (a Collins or highball) with ice.
2. Pour in the ginger ale, leaving about an inch at the top.
3. Slowly pour the grenadine down the inside of the glass so it sinks to the bottom, creating a red-to-gold gradient.
4. Add the cherries and lime wedge.
5. Serve with a straw and stir at the table, if desired.

What Is Grenadine?

Real grenadine is a sweet-tart syrup made from pomegranate juice and sugar. Many bottles in grocery stores, however, are made mostly from corn syrup, color, and flavoring, and taste of generic cherry or berry rather than pomegranate. Because grenadine is the signature flavor of this drink, reading the label makes a difference. A pomegranate-based grenadine will have a more complex, slightly tart flavor.

Make Your Own Grenadine

1. Combine 1 cup pomegranate juice (unsweetened) and 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan.
2. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Remove from heat and let cool.
4. Optional: stir in 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water or a squeeze of lemon juice.
5. Store in a clean bottle in the refrigerator for up to about 2 weeks.

Soda Choices

Variations

Roy Rogers

The cola cousin: cola with grenadine and a cherry. It is named after the cowboy actor.

Dirty Shirley

An adult version adding 1 1/2 oz vodka. If you make it for adults, drink responsibly.

Lower-sugar Shirley Temple

Use sparkling water, 1 tbsp pomegranate juice, a squeeze of lime, and a few drops of honey or a pinch of sweetener.

Pink lemonade Shirley Temple

Replace half the soda with pink lemonade for a tangier drink.

Frozen Shirley Temple

Blend 6 oz ginger ale, 1/2 oz grenadine, and 1 cup ice into a slush. Top with a cherry.

Shirley Temple punch

For a crowd, mix 2 liters ginger ale, 1 liter lemon-lime soda, and 1/2 cup grenadine in a punch bowl with a jar of cherries. Add orange slices.

Tips

• Pour grenadine last. It sinks, which creates the gradient. Stirring right away makes the whole drink pink.
• Start small with grenadine. It is intensely sweet, so add more only if you like.
• Use chilled soda. Warm soda foams and goes flat.
• Add the lime. A bit of acid helps cut the sugar.
• Pick better cherries. Dark, syrup-packed cocktail cherries taste richer than bright red maraschinos.
• Garnish with flair. Skewer cherries on a pick with an orange slice for fun.

Scaling for Parties

For a small birthday party of eight guests, set up a DIY Shirley Temple bar: ginger ale and lemon-lime soda in buckets of ice, a bottle of grenadine with a small pourer, a bowl of cherries, and citrus slices. Kids can build their own, which doubles as an activity. For larger crowds, a punch recipe works better because each drink does not need to be assembled.

Serving and Pairing

A Shirley Temple suits casual, kid-friendly food:

• Pizza and pasta
• Burgers and fries
• Chicken tenders
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Cupcakes and ice cream sundaes
• Popcorn at movie night

Sugar Considerations

A standard Shirley Temple is a sweet drink, with sugar from both the soda and the grenadine. If you want to cut back, use less grenadine, dilute the soda with sparkling water, or choose a lower-sugar soda. This is a treat drink, so a modest serving size is a sensible approach.

FAQ

What is in a Shirley Temple?

Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, grenadine, and a maraschino cherry. A lime wedge is a common addition.

Is a Shirley Temple alcoholic?

No. The standard version contains no alcohol. A “dirty” Shirley adds vodka, but that is a separate adult drink.

Ginger ale or Sprite?

Both are acceptable. Ginger ale is the classic; lemon-lime soda gives a lighter, more citrusy drink.

Can I make a Shirley Temple without grenadine?

Yes. A splash of cherry juice from the jar or pomegranate juice with a little sugar gives a similar color and flavor.

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