In this post: A classic Shirley Temple Recipe the way it should be – made with Orange Juice. Plus a Dirty Shirley version with alcohol for the adults!
Ya gotta love a good drink recipe. And this Shirley Temple drink recipe does not disappoint even the adults!
Table of Contents
Why I love Shirley Temples
Yes, yes. I know the tradiditonal Shirley Temple drink is totally a child’s drink.
Really, I do.
But for me it comes with such happy memories. Memories of eating out on holidays with my family and visiting with my grandma at her downtown Toronto apartment.
Shirley Temples also happen to be a favorite of my kids. Our girls especially.
What is a Shirley Temple?
A Shirley Temple is typically a non-alcoholic drink, likely created for and named after the young child actress, Shirley Temple. Ironically, she apparently didn’t like the drink, saying in interviews that it was too sweet!
I created this recipe to have at home because I’ve noticed something lately when we order Shirley Temples at a restaurant. There’s no orange juice. Just lemon lime soda and grenadine. Which is totally weird to me. There was always orange juice when I was growing up.
When to Serve a Shirley Temple Drink?
Shirley Temples are a fun drink to have a birthday parties, backyard BBQs, or an other special occassion. We often make them as a special treat when we can’t go out somewhere to celebrate an event with the kids.
What is IN a Shirley Temple?
In a very simple version of a Shirley Temple there’s only ice, ginger ale (or a lemon/lime soda) and grenadine.
In the version I prefer, there’s ice, orange juice, Sprite or 7UP and grenadine.
Of course most Shirley Temple drinks are served with a garnish of maraschino cherries and half an orange slice on a little cocktail skewer.
If you’re feeling really fancy, you can even top your Shirley Temple with whipped cream!
What is Grenadine?
Originally grenadine was made from a base of pomegranate juice with sugar added. Most store-bought grenadine syrups are usually all sweetness made from high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid and red food coloring.
How to Make Homemade Grenadine
To make homemade grenadine mix on part pomegranate juice, with two parts sugar. If. you like you can add lemon juice to taste.
Where to get grenadine
Typically we’ve purchased our grenadine at the grocery store in the juice and soda aisle. But if your local liquor store carries club soda or other mixes, they may carry grenadine as well.
How long will grenadine keep?
If you keep the grenadine in the fridge it will last 3-4 months before going bad.
Can I substitute grenadine?
Yes! You can use Torani’s pomegranate syrup or use the juice from the maraschino cherry jar in place of grenadine in your Shirley Temple recipe.
Basic Shirley Temple Drink Recipe
Shirley Temples are one of the easiest mocktails to make!
- Place ice cubes into your glass of choice.
- Pour a small amount of grenadine in a glass (about 1 ounce, adjust to taste).
- Top with 8 ounces of ginger ale, lemon lime soda (Sprite or 7UP) or a combination.
- Garnish with marschino cherries and enjoy!
To Make a Shirley Temple with Orange Juice
Ingredients
- ice cubes
- orange juice
- Sprite or 7UP
- Grenadine
- maraschino cherries
- sliced naval orange
Directions
For each Shirley Temple drink you wan to make:
- Fill a glass half-full with ice cubes.
- Add a half a cup of orange juice and half a cup of Sprite or 7UP.
- Then gently pour in a tablespoon of grenadine.
- Top with an orange slice wrapped cherry on a cocktail stick.
- Serve immediately.
For the measurements and full instructions see the recipe card below.
Roy Rogers Drink
A Roy Rogers is similar to a Shirley Temple and kids and adults love it too.
To make a Roy Rogers drink:
- Place ice cubes into your glass of choice.
- Pour a small amount of grenadine in a glass (about 1 ounce, adjust to taste).
- Top with 8 ounces of cola.
- Garnish with marschino cherries and enjoy!
Shirley Temple Recipe Video Tutorial
If you want to see how I make Shirley Temples in our kitchen, check out the video below:
Be sure to subscribe to the Home Made Lovely Youtube channel, so you don’t miss anything!
Classic Shirley Temple Recipe
A classic Shirley Temple Recipe the way it should be - made with Orange Juice.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup Sprite or 7UP
- 1-2 Tbsp Grenadine
- 1-2 maraschino cherries
- 1/2 slice naval orange
Instructions
- Fill glass half full with ice cubes.
- Add orange juice and then soda.
- Gently add Grenadine.
- Top with cherry and orange slice.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 388Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 64mgCarbohydrates: 97gFiber: 1gSugar: 85gProtein: 1g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily via Nutrifox.
Wanna make a hard cocktail version of this Shirley Temple recipe (with alcohol)?
Yup that’s totally a thing. It’s called – ahem – a Dirty Shirley. Don’t blame me I didn’t make it up!
How to make a Dirty Shirley
Ingredients
- Lemon Lime Soda
- Vodka
- Grenadine
- Ice
Directions
- Fill your glass with ice.
- Add lemon lime soda, vodka, and a dash of grenadine over the ice.
- Stir and enjoy!
Voila! Something else altogether – and definitely not for children!
For the full instructions and measurements see the recipe card below.
Dirty Shirley Tips:
- If you prefer a stronger drink, then simply double your vodka amount to a total of 2 ounces.
- Differentiating amounts of grenadine will play a huge part in the color, so do not be afraid to get your shade of red just right.
- This recipe serves very well in a summer party punch bowl, especially if you fill the bowl with some cherries, lemons, and limes.
Dirty Shirley Drink Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 Ounces Lemon Lime Soda
- 1 Ounce Vodka
- ½ Ounce Grenadine
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill your glass with ice.
- Add 5 ounces of lemon lime soda, 1 ounce of vodka, and a dash (.5 ounce) of grenadine over the ice.
- Stir and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a stronger drink, then simply double your vodka amount to a total of 2 ounces.
- Differentiating amounts of grenadine will play a huge part in the color, so do not be afraid to get your shade of red just right.
- This recipe serves very well in a summer party punch bowl, especially if you fill the bowl with some cherries, lemons, and limes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 166Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 21mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 0gSugar: 23gProtein: 0g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily via Nutrifox.
What do you think – orange juice or no orange juice in your Shirley Temple? Can you think of an occasion to make these?
P.S. Like this drink? Maybe you’ll like our other drinks too?
Yes. shirley temples traditionally include orange juice, but goddamn sprite and grenadine is delicious too!
Never any orange juice in mine growing up but it sounds delicious!
Shannon,
I miss the orange juice too. It seems to be special but, my favorite part is extra maraschino cherries!
Create Happiness,
Karen Marie
Dragonfly & Lily Pads
We used to call them kiddy cocktails, however there was no orange juice in them. They sound delish with the orange juice and I am going to make some for my Grandkids. Thanks for the recipe.
Ah yes, kiddy cocktails! They are quite yummy even as an adult.
My friend loves Shirley Temple
Never orange juice! What you described is S.T. With orange juice and you can ask for it like that .
Lol. When I was a kid ‘with orange juice’ was how it was ALWAYS made!
Cute blog! Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas!