Tulo

Shirley Temple Recipe

A tall glass of pink-hued Shirley Temple mocktail with ice, a maraschino cherry, and an orange slice on the rim.
Photo by Deybson Mallony on Pexels

Pouring the grenadine last and letting it sink through the ice creates the classic sunset gradient, and the ratio of ginger ale to grenadine keeps the drink sweet without tasting like straight syrup.

Prep
5 min
Cook
0 min
Total
5 min
Servings
1

Ingredients

Servings1
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1 cup ginger ale
  • 2 tbsp grenadine syrup
  • 2 cherries maraschino cherries, for garnish

Nutrition per serving

Calories
302
Protein
0g
Carbs
75g
Fat
0g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

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Instructions

  1. 1Fill a tall glass (highball or Collins glass) with ice cubes almost to the top.
  2. 2Pour the ginger ale over the ice, filling the glass about three-quarters full.
  3. 3Slowly pour the grenadine syrup over the ice so it sinks toward the bottom of the glass instead of mixing in right away.
  4. 4Give the drink one gentle stir if you want it fully blended, or leave it unstirred for the classic layered, sunset-colored look.
  5. 5Drop in the maraschino cherries and serve immediately with a straw.

Tips & variations

  • Use a ginger ale with real ginger bite rather than a very sweet, flat one; it balances the sugary grenadine better.
  • For a Roy Rogers, swap the ginger ale for cola, everything else stays the same.
  • Add a splash of fresh lime or orange juice for a less sweet, slightly tart version.
  • Scaling up for a crowd: mix ginger ale and grenadine at roughly an 8:1 ratio in a pitcher and pour over ice-filled glasses individually so each one still gets a proper cherry garnish.
  • An adult version, sometimes called a Dirty Shirley, adds 1 to 1.5 ounces of vodka to the same mix.

Storage & reheating

This drink is meant to be mixed and served immediately since ginger ale loses its carbonation once it sits. If prepping for a crowd, chill the ginger ale and grenadine ahead of time and assemble each glass fresh rather than premixing a full pitcher in advance.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

  • Chilling the ginger ale in the fridge beforehand instead of relying on ice alone keeps the drink from getting watered down as fast.
  • Using a cherry with the stem still on makes it easier to fish out and eat once the drink is gone.

FAQ

What's the difference between a Shirley Temple and a Roy Rogers?

A Shirley Temple is ginger ale and grenadine; a Roy Rogers uses the same amount of grenadine but swaps in cola instead of ginger ale.

Why is it called a Shirley Temple?

The mocktail is named after the 1930s child actress; it was reportedly created for her at a restaurant so she'd have a festive, non-alcoholic drink to order alongside adults.

How much grenadine should I use?

A ratio of about 1 part grenadine to 8 parts ginger ale gives a balanced sweetness; start with 2 tablespoons per cup of ginger ale and adjust to taste.

Can I make a Shirley Temple with soda water instead of ginger ale?

Yes, swapping in club soda or seltzer cuts the sugar significantly and lets the grenadine's flavor stand out more, though the drink will taste less like the traditional version.