Kid-Friendly Shirley Temple Recipe

By What’s Baking

A vibrant, bubbly mocktail with sweet grenadine, zesty citrus, and effervescent ginger ale that delights with each sip while bringing nostalgic soda fountain charm to any celebration.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

Serves:

1 mocktail

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml grenadine syrup</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml fresh lime juice</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">150ml ginger ale (chilled)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">50ml lemon-lime soda (chilled)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">Ice cubes</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1-2 maraschino cherries for garnish</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">Orange slice for garnish</li> </ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Highball glass</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Cocktail pick or skewer</li> </ul>

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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Fill your highball glass about halfway with ice cubes. Using cubed ice rather than crushed will slow dilution, keeping your Shirley Temple flavorful longer as you enjoy it. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> Pour the grenadine syrup over the ice, allowing it to settle at the bottom. The deep red color creates a beautiful foundation for the layered effect that makes a Shirley Temple visually appealing. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Add the fresh lime juice to balance the sweetness of the grenadine. This small addition of acidity cuts through the sweetness and adds complexity that elevates this mocktail beyond a simple soft drink. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Slowly pour in the chilled ginger ale by tilting the glass and pouring gently down the side. This technique preserves carbonation and begins creating a beautiful gradient effect in the glass. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Top with lemon-lime soda using the same gentle pouring technique. Notice how the different densities of the ingredients naturally create subtle layers of color from the bottom to the top of the glass. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Give the drink one gentle stir with a bar spoon from bottom to top to slightly incorporate the ingredients while maintaining the gradient effect. The perfect Shirley Temple should show a beautiful transition from deep red at the bottom to a lighter pink at the top. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Garnish with maraschino cherries on a pick and an orange slice on the rim. For children, you can add extra cherries as they're typically the favorite part of this classic mocktail. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4> Serve immediately while the carbonation is at its peak and the ice is still maintaining the perfect temperature. A properly made Shirley Temple should be fizzy, cold, and visually striking with its distinctive red-to-pink gradient. </li> </ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 serving

🔥 Calories: 420 calories

🥑 Fat: 24 g

🧈 Saturated Fat: 12 g

🍞 Carbohydrates: 28 g

🍭 Sugar: 5 g

🍗 Protein: 25 g

🫀 Cholesterol: 95 mg

🧂 Sodium: 780 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Can I use homemade grenadine instead of store-bought for a better mocktail?

Absolutely! Homemade grenadine made from pomegranate juice, sugar and a touch of orange flower water creates a more complex flavour with less artificial sweetness. It produces a richer ruby colour and adds a gourmet touch that elevates this classic mocktail significantly.

What's the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer in bubbly mocktails?

Ginger ale offers mild sweetness and gentle carbonation ideal for children's drinks, while ginger beer delivers a stronger, spicier kick with less sweetness. For authentic Shirley Temples, ginger ale creates the traditional taste, but ginger beer can create an interesting variation for adults.

Why does pouring technique matter when making layered drinks?

The pouring technique preserves carbonation, prevents fizzing over, and creates the signature gradient effect. Pour slowly down the side of a tilted glass rather than directly onto ice to maintain bubbles and allow different density ingredients to create distinct visual layers in the finished mocktail.