How to make a Shirley Temple

The Shirley Temple is a mocktail you can expect any restaurant or bar to be able to whip up, so don't be afraid to ask for one. It's simple to make and every bar will have grenadine and ginger ale on hand. Not only is the Shirley Temple one of the most famous mocktails ever, it’s believed the be the original non alcoholic drink!

Our version of the beloved classic hews close to the original recipe, a fantastic swirl of simple flavors: ginger ale, grenadine, and lemon or lime, with luxurious maraschino cherries as the, well, cherries on top. Below, we’ll highlight several recommendations (such as ingredients not to skimp on) to nail the perfect Shirley Temple. But we’ve also included several ways of taking the classic up a notch, further refining what’s already been perfected, and even going off the beaten path and spicing up your concoction with a bit of drama and panache.

All that to say: Shirley Temple, though known as a popular choice for young ones to dip into “grownup” drinks, is far from a juvenile option. In fact, it’s a fixture, a historical marker, a time-tested grab-bag option when you don’t want to drink alcohol but want a reliably enjoyable drink. And we’ve come up with the best version, plus many other variants using the best non alcoholic spirits in the market. Plenty of ways to enjoy a Shirley Temple — which one’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Shirley Temple ingredients you'll need:

• 1/2 ounce grenadine (feel free to add more if you like it sweet)
• 1/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 5 ounces of your favorite ginger ale, chilled
• Garnish: Luxardo maraschino cherries

How to make homemade grenadine (and the best grenadines you can buy)

In case you’re not pressed for time, we highly recommend making your own grenadine. This recipe comes from Portland, Oregon-based bartender and author Jeffrey Morgenthaler:

• 2 large pomegranates
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 oz pomegranate molasses
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
  
  

Instructions: Juice the pomegranates to yield about 2 cups of juice, then heat it in a microwave-safe container for 2 minutes. Once heated, add sugar and stir until dissolved. Mix in pomegranate molasses and orange blossom water. Allow the mixture to cool, then transfer it to a bottle, and add vodka as a preservative if desired for longer storage.

If you're looking for a premade and high quality grenadine you can buy, we love brands like Liber & Co, Monin, or BG Reynolds.

Which ginger ale to use (& other mixer options):

The ginger ale you select is crucial to your Shirley Temple’s success. Opt for premium brands like Fever Tree Ginger Ale or Q Ginger Ale for the best results. There are many iterations of the Shirley Temple so don't be afraid to switch up the ginger ale with another mixer like Lemonade, Ginger Beer, even 7up or Sprite will work.

Which cherries to use: 

For an authentic touch, use Luxardo maraschino cherries instead of standard, artificially flavored varieties. Their rich flavor enhances the overall drink experience. By the way, a common misconception is that Luxardo cherries have alcohol — we're happy to report that they're, in fact, totally non-alcoholic, so it's safe to use them in this recipe!

How do you make a Shirley Temple?

1. Fill your glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour in your grenadine and freshly squeezed lime juice.
3. Top with ginger ale.
4. Stir to combine.
5. Garnish with three Luxardo maraschino cherries, or pretty it up with a cocktail pick if you have it.

Elevate your Shirley Temple with these non alcoholic aperitifs & spirits

Once you've mastered the classic Shirley Temple, consider adding a sophisticated twist with these non-alcoholic aperitifs & spirits:

• Wilfred’s: It’s called “sunshine in a bottle” for a reason! This bittersweet aperitif is the perfect flavor enhancer for the Shirley Temple, adding a sophisticated brush of clove & rhubarb to your drink, making the already fruity and refreshing drink even more sumptuous.
  
  

• Pentire Coastal Spritz: If you want to infuse your Shirley Temple with a fine blend of coastal botanicals, Pentire Coastal Spritz is the answer. Its balance of natural bitter flavors and refreshing coastal tones, subtle brininess, and citrus zest pair amazingly well with the flavors of the Shirley Temple, making for bubbly concoction with just the right amount of sweetness.
  
  

• Ghia Berry: A “tantalizingly tart” aperitif that “moves with you through the night,” Ghia Berry injects a layered sophistication to your Shirley Temple and balances the grenadine, cutting through the more sugar-leaning flavors of the base recipe. It also instantly elevates your Shirley Temple from “cute” to grownup territory.
  
  

• Lyre’s Italian Orange: Adding Lyre’s Italian Orange to your Shirley Temple gives it ​​a bolder taste and depths of citrus. It also plays nice with the sweetness of the grenadine, care of the aperitif’s drier finish, which makes for a drink that’s more refreshing and complex than simple and treacly.
  
  

Interested in more non-alcoholic recipes? Try some of our favorites below, cheers!

• The best non alcoholic Peach Spritz recipe
• The best non alcoholic Aperol Spritz recipe
• The best non alcoholic Margarita recipe
• The best non alcoholic Mojito recipe
• The best non alcoholic Gin & Tonic recipe
• The best non alcoholic Mimosa recipe