✔ Updated · caffeine answer, exact grenadine amount + homemade grenadine
A Shirley Temple is the original mocktail: fizzy ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, a splash of grenadine and a cherry on top. It's alcohol-free by design, ready in 3 minutes, and in our house Lucy just calls it “the pink drink.”
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Add the grenadine last and don't stir. It sinks on its own and gives you the pretty sunset layers.
Why You'll Love This Shirley Temple
- Three ingredients you can find in any grocery store.
- Naturally alcohol-free and caffeine-free with the right soda.
- A party favorite that scales easily into a pitcher.
Homemade Grenadine (2 Ingredients)
Real grenadine is pomegranate syrup, and homemade tastes brighter than most bottled versions. Simmer 1 cup pomegranate juice with 1 cup sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then cool. A few drops of orange juice or lemon juice wake it up. It keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Measure the grenadine. One tablespoon per 8 ounces of soda is my sweet spot. Grenadine is very sweet, and a heavy pour turns the drink syrupy.
- Ginger ale or lemon-lime? Ginger ale is the classic with a little warmth; lemon-lime soda makes it brighter and a bit sweeter. Half and half is lovely too.
- Add a squeeze of lime. It cuts the sweetness and makes the cherry flavor pop. A tiny thing that makes it taste homemade.
- Keep it fizzy. I chill the soda well and pour it gently down the side of the glass. Warm soda foams up and goes flat fast.
- Freeze grenadine ice cubes. Mix grenadine with water 1 to 4 and freeze. They melt into pink swirls instead of watering the drink down, and they're our party trick every birthday.
Classic Shirley Temple Mocktail
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drink3
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minutes140
kcal3
minutesThe classic alcohol-free Shirley Temple: chilled ginger ale or lemon-lime soda poured over ice, a splash of grenadine that sinks into a pink-to-red sunset, a squeeze of lime and a maraschino cherry on top.
Ingredients
1 cup ice cubes
1 cup ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, chilled (caffeine-free)
1 tablespoon grenadine
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice (optional, for balance)
2 maraschino cherries, with stems
1 lime or orange slice, for garnish
Directions
- Fill a tall glass (about 12 ounces) with ice.
- Pour in the chilled ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, leaving about an inch at the top. Add the lime juice, if using.
- Slowly drizzle the grenadine over the drink. It’s heavier than soda, so it sinks to the bottom and makes a pink-to-red sunset. Don’t stir if you want the layers.
- Drop in the maraschino cherries, add a lime or orange slice to the rim and serve with a straw.
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Variations and Party Pitcher
- Party pitcher (8 drinks): 2 liters chilled soda, 1/2 cup grenadine and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Pour into glasses of ice and add cherries to each glass.
- Shirley Temple float: add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
- Extra cherry: add a splash of the juice from the cherry jar along with the grenadine.
- Roy Rogers: the cola cousin, made with cola instead of ginger ale. Note that most colas contain caffeine.
- More alcohol-free drinks: virgin mimosa, Cinderella mocktail, Blue Lagoon mocktail and virgin Mai Tai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Shirley Temples have caffeine?
Usually not. The classic ingredients are ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, grenadine and cherries, and most major ginger ales and lemon-lime sodas are caffeine-free. Grenadine and cherries have no caffeine. If you swap in a different soda, check the label.
How much grenadine goes in a Shirley Temple?
About 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) of grenadine per 8 ounces of soda. Use up to 1 ounce for a sweeter, redder drink, or start with 2 teaspoons for younger kids.
Are Shirley Temples always virgin?
Yes, the classic Shirley Temple is alcohol-free. It's said to have been created in the 1930s for child star Shirley Temple, so she could have a fancy drink like the grown-ups. A "Dirty Shirley" is a different, alcoholic drink, so order by name.
What does a Shirley Temple taste like?
Sweet, fizzy and fruity, like cherry soda with a little ginger warmth if you use ginger ale. I always add a squeeze of lime to balance the sweetness.
What can I use instead of grenadine?
Make your own by simmering 1 cup pomegranate juice with 1 cup sugar until dissolved, then cooling. In a pinch, use maraschino cherry juice from the jar or cherry syrup, which gives a similar color and sweetness.
