The virgin Shirley Temple is a classic kiddie cocktail that has delighted children for decades. Bright, bubbly Sprite & Grenadine is topped with a maraschino cherry, for a refreshing beverage perfect for anyone.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Don't let the simplicity of this popular kiddie cocktail fool you, the virgin Shirley Temple is a delicious and refreshing drink that is perfect for anyone, on a hot summer day, or a festive celebration.
- Easy. This Shirley Temple mocktail recipe is incredibly easy to make.
- Versatile. You can use Sprite or any lemon-lime soda, or even use ginger ale, which was traditionally used.
- Refreshing. Even if you're only a kid at heart anymore, you'll love this refreshing, effervescent non alcoholic Shirley Temple.
What Is a Virgin Shirley Temple?
The Shirley Temple mocktail was named after the famous child star Shirley Temple. The drink was first created in the 1930s, and it quickly became a popular choice for children and adults alike.
The Sprite (or traditional ginger ale) provides a refreshing fizz, the grenadine adds a sweet and tart flavor, and the maraschino cherry is a perfect garnish.
No matter how you make it, a virgin Shirley Temple is a refreshing and delicious drink that is sure to please everyone.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- What Is a Virgin Shirley Temple?
- Shirley Temple Mocktail Ingredients
- How to Make Shirley Temple Mocktails
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- 📖 Recipe
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
Shirley Temple Mocktail Ingredients
To make a Virgin Shirley Temple, simply combine the ginger ale and grenadine in a glass filled with ice. Stir gently to combine, and then garnish with the maraschino cherry.
- Spite soda - Or any lemon-lime soda. You can also use the more traditional ginger ale, but kids often prefer the non spicy lemon lime soda.
- Rose's Grenadine Syrup - Or, any homemade or store bought grenadine syrup.
- Maraschino Cherries - My kids love the bright red bottled cherries with the stem. Not what I would put in a Manhattan, but perfect for kiddie cocktails!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Shirley Temple Mocktails
Enjoy this fun and classic virgin Shirley Temple at your Holiday events. Easy, refreshing, and safe for kids and adults alike since it's non alcoholic!
Add Ice and Soda
- Fill chilled glasses with some ice.
- Pour in the Sprite, or any lemon lime soda.
PRO TIP: You can use the more traditional ginger ale, but most kids often prefer the lemon lime soda, as it's not spicy.
Top Off With Grenadine
- Measure the grenadine syrup and add it to the glass of ice and soda.
Stir And Garnish
- Using a long spoon, swirl the glass contents lightly.
- Top with one or two maraschino cherries. You're kids will really love you if you add two! Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
This Shirley Temple mocktail recipe is a great drink to serve at parties, picnics, or just for a fun afternoon treat that will bring a smile to your kid's faces. Serve it in a tall glass with ice, garnish it with a few maraschino cherries and a straw.
For more refreshing mocktail drinks, see our following recipes:
- Strawberry Lemonade Spritzer (Mocktail)
- Virgin Moscow Mule (Gingerbeer Mocktail)
- Arnold Palmer Iced Tea (Mocktail)
- Mint Berry Sangria (Mocktail)
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions
Here are a few delicious substitutions using this virgin Shirley Temple mocktail recipe as a base:
- If you don't have grenadine, you can substitute another type of syrup, such as pomegranate syrup or cherry syrup.
- You can also add other ingredients to the drink, such as lime juice, orange slices, or mint leaves.
- Garnish this Shirley Temple mocktail with a candy cane at Christmas and New Year's.
Variations
You can use this virgin Shirley Temple mocktail recipe to make some kiddie cocktails using similar non alcoholic ingredients also:
- Shirley Temple Punch - Popular at Christmas and New Years parties, simply make a huge punch bowl of Sprite and grenadine syrup. To keep the cherries as part of the fun, freeze ice cubes with a maraschino cherry in each cube, stem up. The ice cubes will float with the stem poking up.
- Roy Rogers: This drink is similar to the Shirley Temple, but it uses cola instead of Sprite or ginger ale. Often, little girls get the Shirley temple mocktail and little boys get the Roy Rogers mocktail at special family celebrations.
- Cherry Limeade: This drink is made with limeade instead of ginger ale, and it is garnished with a lime wedge. Similar to the Sonic drink!
- Ginger Sparkler: This drink is made with ginger ale and sparkling water, and it is garnished with a lime wedge.
- Pink Squirrel - This drink is made with cream soda instead of ginger ale, grenadine, and it is garnished with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Shirley Temple Float - Omit the ice, and before garnishing with the cherry, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Then top with the maraschino cherry!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this kiddie cocktail or any other mocktail.
Storage and Reheating
This virgin Shirley Temple kiddie cocktail is meant to be served and enjoyed freshly made.
Tips for Success
- Use quality grenadine for the best flavor.
- Try ginger ale instead of Sprite if you prefer the traditional spicy flavor.
- Chill the glasses before mixing your mocktails.
- Use large ice pieces so the mocktail dilutes slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make this Shirley Temple mocktail recipe with diet Sprite.
Yes, you can make this Shirley Temple mocktail recipe with regular or diet Ginger Ale, which was the original soda used for this kiddie cocktail.
If you don't have grenadine, you can substitute another type of syrup, such as raspberry syrup or strawberry syrup. You can also use a few drops of red food coloring to give the drink a pink color.
Yes, you can make a Dirty Shirley Temple cocktail with the addition of one ounce of vodka to this Virgin Shirley Temple mocktail recipe.
Grenadine syrup is a non-alcoholic, sweet and tart syrup that is typically used in cocktails and mocktails. It is made from pomegranate juice, sugar, and sometimes lemon juice. The name "grenadine" comes from the French word for pomegranate, grenade.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
📖 Recipe
Virgin Shirley Temple (Kiddie Cocktail)
Equipment
Ingredients
- Ice
- 8 oz Sprite or ginger ale
- 1 oz Grenadine syrup
- 1 Maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Fill chilled glasses with some ice.Ice
- Pour in the Sprite, or any lemon lime soda.PRO TIP: You can use the more traditional ginger ale, but most kids often prefer the lemon lime soda, as it's not spicy.8 oz Sprite
- Measure the grenadine syrup and add it to the glass of ice and soda.1 oz Grenadine syrup
- Using a long spoon, swirl the glass contents lightly.
- Top with one or two maraschino cherries. You're kids will really love you if you add two! Serve immediately.1 Maraschino cherries
Notes
- Use quality grenadine for the best flavor.
- Try ginger ale instead of Sprite if you prefer the traditional spicy flavor.
- Chill the glasses before mixing your mocktails.
- Use large ice pieces so the mocktail dilutes slowly.
Leave a Reply