How to Make a Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple is a fizzy, colorful drink made with grenadine, soda, and a cherry on top! Perfect for parties or just a fun treat at home. It’s sweet, bubbly, and feels festive without any alcohol, making it great for kids and adults alike.


front view of glasses with a drink, ice and a cherry on top.


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top view of drink in a clear glass.


This post was last updated 9/2025.


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A classic Shirley Temple is such a fun and nostalgic drink, and it’s always a hit in our house. Made with bubbly lemon lime soda, a splash of sweet grenadine, and topped with a bright red maraschino cherry, it’s the perfect special treat for kids and adults alike. It’s fizzy, refreshing, and just sweet enough to feel like a celebration in a glass, ideal for parties, holidays, or even a cozy movie night at home.

Hazel absolutely loves Shirley Temples, especially when I make them with club soda instead of lemon-lime soda to cut down on the sugar. She calls it her “fancy drink” and lights up every time she gets to stir in the grenadine and plop the cherry on top. It’s such a simple recipe, but it always feels festive and fun, and I love that I can make a slightly lighter version without losing any of the charm. It’s become one of our go to drinks for special moments together.


Looking for some more great kid friendly drink ideas? Try this Apple Cider Float or Orange Sherbet Punch!


Kid friendly beverages go great with a fun snack! Check out my Frozen Grapes with Jello or Candy Apple Pretzels!


Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙


a hand pouring a shot into a glass with ice.


Recipe tips and substitution ideas:


  • Try adding a lemon, orange or lime slice to your Shirley Temple as a fun garnish. You can also swap out half or all of the lemon lime soda for ginger ale, club soda, or even flavored sparkling water to give it a fun twist or reduce the sweetness a bit. If you want a layered look, tilt the glass slightly and pour the grenadine slowly down the side so it settles at the bottom, just be sure to stir before drinking, or you’ll end up sipping plain soda or straight grenadine (especially with a straw). For an adult version, called a Dirty Shirley, simply replace an ounce of the soda with an ounce of vodka for a sweet, boozy spin on this classic drink.
  • Be sure to chill your soda, club soda, or sparkling water first so the drink stays fizzy longer and doesn’t get watered down by melting ice. Serving it in a clear glass really shows off its bright color, and adding a few extra maraschino cherries, or even a splash of their syrup, makes it extra special, especially for kids. You can also make mini versions, just serve in small glasses or shot-sized cups for parties, especially for kids or brunch tables.
  • If you don’t have grenadine on hand, there are a few easy alternatives that work just as well. Pomegranate juice gives a similar color with a slightly tangier flavor, while cherry syrup or maraschino cherry juice add the same sweetness and bright hue. You can even use a small splash of raspberry or cranberry juice for a fruity twist.


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front view of glasses on a gray background.
Yield 1 drink
Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads
Prep time
2 Min
Total time
2 Min

How to Make a Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple is a bright, fizzy drink made with grenadine, soda, and a cherry on top, making it as fun to look at as it is to sip. It’s bubbly, sweet, and festive without any alcohol, making it a perfect treat for both kids and adults.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces lemon lime soda
  • 1 ounce Grenadine
  • 1 maraschino cherry
  • ice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Fill a glass with ice, if desired.
  2. Pour in the lemon lime soda, then add the grenadine. Lightly stir to combine, top with a cherry, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

177

Fat

0 g

Sat. Fat

0 g

Carbs

45 g

Fiber

0 g

Net carbs

45 g

Sugar

38 g

Protein

0 g

Sodium

33 mg

Cholesterol

0 mg

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 


You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.


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