The Shirley Temple is a classic non-alcoholic drink that has delighted both children and adults for generations. This refreshing beverage combines the fizzy sweetness of ginger ale with the vibrant red hue of grenadine, topped off with a maraschino cherry for a touch of elegance.
While most of the ingredients for a Shirley Temple are common household items, you might need to pick up grenadine and maraschino cherries if you don't already have them. Grenadine is a sweet, red syrup made from pomegranate juice, and maraschino cherries are preserved, sweetened cherries often used for garnishing drinks and desserts.

Ingredients For Shirley Temple Recipe
Ginger ale: A carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger, providing a sweet and slightly spicy base for the drink.
Grenadine: A sweet, red syrup made from pomegranate juice, adding color and a fruity flavor to the drink.
Maraschino cherry: A preserved, sweetened cherry used for garnishing, adding a touch of elegance and extra sweetness.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing a Shirley Temple, ensure that the ginger ale is well-chilled to maintain the drink's refreshing quality. For an added touch, consider using crushed ice instead of regular ice cubes, as it will help the grenadine disperse more evenly throughout the drink. Additionally, for a burst of extra flavor, you can add a splash of fresh lime juice before garnishing with the maraschino cherry.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ginger ale - Substitute with lemon-lime soda: It provides a similar fizzy texture and sweetness, making it a good alternative.
ginger ale - Substitute with club soda and ginger syrup: This combination mimics the ginger flavor and carbonation of ginger ale.
grenadine - Substitute with pomegranate juice and simple syrup: This mix replicates the sweet and tart flavor of grenadine.
grenadine - Substitute with raspberry syrup: It offers a similar sweetness and vibrant color.
maraschino cherry - Substitute with fresh cherry: A fresh cherry provides a natural and less processed garnish.
maraschino cherry - Substitute with canned cherry: It serves as a convenient and similar-tasting alternative.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Drink
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
- To keep your Shirley Temple fresh and fizzy, store the ginger ale in the refrigerator until you're ready to mix your drink.
- If you have leftover grenadine, make sure to seal it tightly and refrigerate. This will maintain its vibrant flavor and color.
- For an extra touch of preparation, you can pre-fill a tray with ice cubes and keep it in the freezer. This ensures you always have ice on hand for a quick mix.
- If you want to prepare the drink in advance, mix the ginger ale and grenadine in a pitcher without ice. Store the pitcher in the refrigerator and add ice and the maraschino cherry garnish just before serving.
- Avoid freezing the Shirley Temple itself, as the carbonation in the ginger ale will be lost, and the drink will become flat.
- For a fun twist, you can freeze maraschino cherries in ice cubes. This not only keeps your drink cold but also adds a delightful surprise as the ice melts.
- If you have a large batch of Shirley Temple to store, consider using a beverage dispenser with a spout. This keeps the drink fresh and makes serving easy.
- Always store your maraschino cherries in their original syrup in the refrigerator to keep them plump and flavorful.
How to Reheat Leftovers
First, let's address the elephant in the room: Shirley Temple is a delightful mocktail, and reheating it is not a typical practice. However, if you find yourself with a leftover Shirley Temple, here are some creative ways to enjoy it again:
Chilled Delight: Instead of reheating, pour the leftover Shirley Temple into a glass with fresh ice. This will refresh the drink and maintain its fizzy charm.
Frozen Treat: Pour the leftover Shirley Temple into ice pop molds or an ice cube tray. Freeze until solid. Enjoy as a refreshing frozen treat or add the cubes to a new Shirley Temple for an extra burst of flavor.
Mocktail Mixer: Use the leftover Shirley Temple as a mixer for another mocktail. Combine it with a splash of orange juice, pineapple juice, or even a bit of club soda to create a new, exciting drink.
Dessert Twist: Drizzle the leftover Shirley Temple over a bowl of vanilla ice cream. The sweet and fizzy combination will create a unique and delightful dessert experience.
Fruit Infusion: Pour the leftover Shirley Temple over a bowl of fresh fruit like strawberries, pineapple, or watermelon. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld, then enjoy a refreshing fruit salad with a twist.
Mocktail Jell-O: Use the leftover Shirley Temple as a base for making Jell-O. Simply substitute the water in your Jell-O recipe with the Shirley Temple. This will create a fun and flavorful gelatin dessert.
Sparkling Refresher: If the fizz has gone flat, add a splash of club soda or sparkling water to the leftover Shirley Temple. This will revive the bubbles and make the drink enjoyable once again.
Best Tools for Making This Recipe
Glass: A vessel to hold the drink and showcase its vibrant colors.
Ice: Used to chill the drink and keep it refreshing.
Measuring cup: Ensures the correct amount of ginger ale is used.
Tablespoon: Measures the precise amount of grenadine for the perfect sweetness.
Stirring spoon: Gently mixes the ginger ale and grenadine without losing carbonation.
Maraschino cherry: Adds a classic garnish and a pop of color to the drink.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-chill ingredients: Keep ginger ale and maraschino cherries in the fridge to reduce preparation time.
Use pre-measured grenadine: Measure and store grenadine in a small container for quick access.
Prepare in batches: Make multiple Shirley Temples at once by using a larger pitcher.
Use ice cubes: Keep ice cubes ready in a freezer bag for easy pouring.
Garnish ahead: Pre-skewer maraschino cherries on toothpicks for quick garnishing.

Shirley Temple
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Ginger ale
- 1 tablespoon Grenadine
- 1 Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in the ginger ale.
- Add the grenadine and stir gently.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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