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A Shirley Temple is an iconic beverage that everyone should know how to make!

shirley temple in glass with cherry and straw

A Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic mixed drink.  It is sometimes served to children who are dining with adults.  People do not know if this drink was actually served to the child actress Shirley Temple or if it was just named after her.  We might not know the whole story, but we do know that Shirley Temples are a kid-favorite!

Ingredients for Shirley Temple

Ingredients needed:

  • ice cubes
  • Sprite or 7-Up
  • Grenadine syrup
  • maraschino cherry

sprite in a glass

How to make a Shirley Temple:

The first thing you’ll do is fill a tall glass with ice. Then you’ll pour Sprite or 7-Up into the glass. As much as you want. It’s a matter of preference whether you use Sprite or 7-Up (or some generic lemon-lime concoction), so use what you like.

making shirley temples. waiting for cherries

Then you’ll pour in a splash of Grenadine syrup. This is a key ingredient! It’s what makes a Shirley Temple taste like it does. We prefer to add a generous dose of Grenadine at our house, but you can add as much as you’d like.

shirley temples in two glasses with cherry and straws

And for the grand finale, add a maraschino cherry. My Dad used to order them for me all the time when I was little. He’d order a cocktail for himself and a Shirley Temple for me.

shirley temple beverage with cherry and straw

For any celebration where you don’t want to break out the alcohol (or where you might have kids lingering around), make some Shirley Temples. Everyone enjoys the nostalgia of a drink they probably had many times when they were growing up. And of course you need to introduce your own kids to this iconic beverage too!

Here are a few more beverage recipes you might like to try:

This post has been re-photographed and re-published. It was originally shared as the very first post by RecipeBoy (Brooks) in May 2011. Brooks had just gotten RecipeBoy.com as a gift for his 10th birthday, and since he loved Shirley Temples so much, he wanted to show everyone how to make them!  Here’s what he said about it: My parents don’t let me drink soda (sad face). They say it has too much sugar in it. The only exception is that sometimes I get to have a Shirley Temple on special occasions- like going out to dinner.

shirley temple in glass with cherry and straw

How to Make a Shirley Temple

Everyone should know how to make this iconic beverage!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Beverage
Cuisine American
Servings 1 drink
Calories 161 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • One can Sprite or 7-Up
  • 1 dash of Grenadine syrup
  • 1 whole maraschino cherry

Instructions
 

  • Fill a tall glass ¾ full of ice cubes.
  • Pour Sprite or 7-Up over ice cubes until the glass is almost full.
  • Add a dash of Grenadine syrup. Make it a generous dash if you love the flavor of Grenadine! Stir.
  • Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drinkCalories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.01gSodium: 48mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 2IUCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword shirley temple
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

This recipe comes from RecipeBoy.com

 

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117 Comments

  1. Wow!!! How exciting, and so impressive! I used to order Shirley Temples all the time when my parents took me out for dinner…great choice. Your mom must be SO proud of you 🙂 I’m going to show this to my little brother, he could be following in your footsteps. Congratulations on your new blog, keep up the awesome work!

  2. Congratulations on the launching of Recipe Boy! I’m going to show my two boys (ages 9 and 7) your site. I know they’ll be very excited to follow it (they love food as much as their mum does).

  3. Welcome to the blogosphere! I used to love Shirley Temples until I discovered soda water mixed with bitters & grenadine with a squeeze of lime. This drink is nameless as far as I know- maybe you can come up with something.

  4. I have only one thing to say… Add more cherries! for my son, three is a minimum.

    Welcome to the world of food blogging. I’ll be sure to come back, and I’ll bring friends. It’s a great first post.

  5. Well, hello there RecipeBoy! Your new blog rocks and your photography is excellent. I used to order Shirley Temples when I was your age and I still like them even now 🙂 Great job on your first post.

  6. I love the fact that you’re so excited about starting up your blog – it’s wonderful to see such enthusiasm, whatever age 🙂

    Being English (at least I presume this is why) I’ve never had a Shirley Temple. It looks delicious – maybe I’ll try out your recipe and find out if I like them!

  7. What a great blog! Can’t wait to try all of the recipes you will begin posting! My daughter loved Shirley Temples at your age too! Great start!!!

  8. I will tell you a secret … I am 33 and I STILL have a Shirley Temple from time to time. 😀 When my parents would take me out for a fancy dinner they would always order me my own special drink and I felt very grown up. Great pics and what a great start to your new blog!

  9. Fantastic first post! Congratulations on RecipeBoy, I would have loved to have a website when I was 10. Can’t wait for your next post.

  10. Recipe Boy rocks!! Welcome to the blog world, looking forward to sharing your recipes with my boys who are going to just love this!! Congratulations and good luck!! You’ve got one of the best coaches around too 🙂

  11. Well congratulations RecipeBOY!! I’m so impressed with your new site, and excited that your first post was my all time favorite drink as a kid! Thanks for sharing this recipe~ I can’t wait to see more!!

  12. Brooks! Congratulations on starting your own blog! My kids love Shirley Temples, too, but we don’t usually make them at home. I’m happy to show them that we can easily do just that!

  13. Hey there! Congrats on your blog! Shirley Temples were one of my favorite drinks growing up. Your first post looks fabulous! You’re going to have to join your mom and the rest of us at the next food bloggers’ bake sale! 🙂

  14. Love the post. Shierly Tempels were my sister & my favorite drink as young girls. I will definately be following your blog. Love it!

  15. Such a great first post! I love Shirley Temples too. 🙂 I look forward to seeing more from you.

  16. I have four boys. We’ll have to try that drink! I’m sure they will love it. They love anything that has a cherry on top! 🙂
    Can’t wait to see what else you blog.

  17. What a great post!!! I’m so excited to read your blog, Recipe Boy! 🙂 Shirley Temples were my favorite growing up….maybe because I have curly hair! 😉

    Can’t wait to see what you’ll be blogging about next!

  18. Happy 10th to you Recipeboy! And how cool to have a blog. Very nice. Erm…credit to the hand model in the photo? 🙂 Best of luck to you, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

  19. I am so proud of you Brooks! Such an entrepreneurial spirit! I’m a teacher, and I’m always trying to convince my students to blog and check out blogging! Congratulations, welcome to the blogging world, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you got cake for breakfast! 😉

  20. Welcome to the blog world Recipe Boy. I think that is so cool that you are interested in blogging and good food – yay! I also think its super awesome that you like sushi!
    When I was growing up, once in a blue moon I would order a shirley temple. You make it look so yummy! I’ll have to make these and see what my boys think!

  21. WOWZA! Your very own food blog and you’re 10 years old! How cool are you??? Congratulations and happy birthday! You’ve done a wonderful job here with your first post and I can’t wait to see what other fun and interestings things you add to your site, Recipe Boy! I think this is just about the neatest thing EVER! I wish I had something fun like this when I was 10 years old. Good luck Brooks! Enjoy your blog. Oh BTW, I’m stumbling this for you.

  22. Way to go! I knew you had a food blog in you. I remember you drinking Shirley Temples in Mexico last year. Great kick off post.

  23. Hi Brooks, I used to work with your mom when she was a teacher.
    I am so excited that you have your own website!!!I like your pix and your first recipte. I’ll share the news with my students and they can subscribe. Best of luck!!

  24. Congratulations Brooks on the inaugural RecipeBoy blog post! Very impressive!
    Your dad and I used to have Shirley Temples on our birthday to spruce up the celebration – it made us feel so grown up – well, at least it did for me! Your cousins and I will be on the look out for some kid friendly fare for picky eaters! Way to gear up for your decade milestone birthday! Xxoo aunt alyssa

  25. How fun! I love that your also into the photography part of things!
    My daughter just started her own blog, just this last weekend & she loves it! Her dad, my husband is a chef & also food columnist, I think this is great for kids to write.
    Way to go!!!

  26. Great post…wonderful photos and I am looking forward to your next post. Welcome to the world of blogging and sharing your love of preparing good food with others. And, because people always seem to like to know where their readers are from: I live in Indiana, as near to Indianapolis as you can get without actually having an Indianapolis address. This is the month for the big Indianapolis 500 car race, so people around here are in the midst of entertaining and enjoying race-related activities. Maybe you have a fun recipe that I could make for a race day party? I think these Shirley Temples would be a big hit with children and adults. Thanks for sharing.

  27. I’m so proud of my awesome food blogger! You did such an awesome job on your first post, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what kinds of ideas you come up with next. Yay for food bloggers in the family!!!

  28. Congratulations on your food blog! I told my 8-yr-old daughter about it and she wants one now, too. 🙂 I told her maybe when she’s a little older. But she’ll be one of your readers. Have fun with it, and I’m looking forward to reading it! 🙂

  29. Great job on your first post! Very professional and great pictures.
    I remember having Shirley Temples at my aunt’s wedding when I was a kid. Yum!

  30. When I was growing up we weren’t allowed to have soda either, with the exception of birthday parties.

    Shirley Temples were such a treat back then, and still feel “special”.

    Great job!

  31. Brooks, Hello from you newest fan. I love your first post and the pictures are pretty super too. Look forward to seeing more of your recipes 🙂

  32. Hello, Brooks! Your first photography shoot is fantastic! I am really excited to see what your next post will be. :o) Staci

  33. Amazing first post. I am so impressed. With a mom like RECIPE GIRL it’s no wonder you are so talented. I am showing my 12 year old, this is so cool. Oh by the way, your writing is incredible. I love it.

    Hugs,

    Bella 🙂

  34. Great first post Recipe Boy! You have a new follower from England (living in France) 🙂
    Like Emma @ Poires au Chocolat, I have never had a Shirley Temple either but it looks delicious.
    I will have to try your recipe!

  35. Congratulations on your first post and the terrific blog! You will be an old pro in no time. I’ve always enjoyed Shirley Temples, even as an adult!

  36. I loved Shirley Temples when I was younger, especially because my parents would only let me have one on a special occasion – just like you! Your blog looks fantastic so far, Brooks, and I can’t wait to read more about your kitchen adventures. How exciting :).

  37. Wow. I am so impressed that you are doing your own food blog! Wonderful job. The pictures turned out great and I love Shirley Temples too! 🙂

  38. Brooks, good show young man! Congratulations on the launch of your blog and a happy belated birthday to you. I found you through your mom’s site via the Los Angeles Times. I haven’t had a Shirley Temple in years, but yours looks so crisp and refreshing…my kids would love a crazy straw too. I’ll be keeping a look out for you. Best wishes in all your endeavors!

  39. Happy Birthday! Very impressive job on the blog. I’m adding it to the others that I follow. Keep up the good work.

  40. Congratulations on the launch of your very own blog. How exciting!

    Great job on your first post. I love the straw you used in your Shirley Temple–fun!!

  41. How cool is this? I love that you are doing your own blog, and you know what? I think you will be an inspiration to other kids, whether they like to cook or not. Like, my son might see a recipe that you like that he might be more likely to try if you like it, you know? I am totally looking forward to hearing about Grammy’s Tuna Casserole and all the other amazing recipes you have in store for us.

  42. Hi Recipe Boy. So great to see that you have a blog. I am at the other end of the age spectrum, practically old enough to be your great-grandmother; and I have a new blog, too. My son learned to cook when he was about your age; and since he is single, cooks for himself now that he is all grown up. I will be subscribing.

  43. I feel like it was just yesterday I was ordering Shirley Temples out at restaurants with my parents. lol. They made me feel quite fancy and grown up that’s for sure!

    I’m so thrilled you have your own blog! I’m going to send this to my 13 year old nieces who also love to cook and take photos! Might be a great summer project for them! Congrats on your first post 🙂

  44. Brooks – Congrats on your blog, your first posting, and your birthday! We’ve got something in common…My son is turning 15 and STILL eats yoplait yogurt for breakfast everyday. Love the Shirley Temple..Looing forward to more – Happy Cooking!

  45. First – happy 10th Birthday!

    Second – this is a great start to your blog. I’ll check back again and forward your articles to folks I know.

    Happy food-ing!

  46. Your Shirley Temple brought back awesome memories and inspired me to make them up as an after dinner treat tonight for my kids! THANK YOU! They were as yummy as I remembered! 🙂

  47. I LOVE it when kids know how to cook–especially BOYS!! Congratulations and keep up the good work!

  48. I am delighted to see this new blog! I will be excited to see all your d’lish recipes!! 🙂

    LOVE your Shirley Temple drink…I’m going to make it tonight for my kiddos 🙂

  49. Great job on your blog. My son is excited to make both recipes. We are getting everything we need tomorrow.

  50. Brooks: I can’t believe I didn’t comment on your very first post. Maybe it’s because I was with you and gave you a hug instead. Oh well, a hug is more fun anytime so better late than never. HURRAY FOR RECIPEBOY!

  51. Just what I was looking for. Having a slumber party for my girl thought Shirley Temples would be super cute. Thx

  52. A true Shirley Temple is made with ginger ale and cherry juice. Both of which existed in the 1930’s and named after the child star from that time period. It just tastes much better then “new” version with 7-up or sprite and grenadine. Try it the way our grandparant did…just FYI

  53. I just found your blog and I couldn’t resist this post- even at 35 this is still my favorite drink. I remember my parents letting me get these as a treat when we were fortunate enough to go out to eat as a kid. Thank you for sharing your yummy treats.

  54. My all time favorite drink of all time used to have this back in the day at the bowling alley where my dad use to bowl thanks for the post now I know how to make it so it can bring back my memories as a kid :).

  55. One word AWSOME I am 11 and I have not tried a Shirley temple in may whole life weird huh? Well! I am sure to ask my mom for those ingredients BTW great blog LUV it good luck with other critics. 😛

  56. ohh cool thanks so much now i can make it my self cause my mom kept saying me and my sisters would make one when we were out of town wit the fam now im back home and im going to make one and this time 4 real lol…thanks i figured u just add sprite anddid i spell this right? anwaya again thanks

  57. I was so happy when I found this recipe!! I wanted a Shirley temple and I just happened to have all the ingredients in my kitchen besides the cherries but it’s an acceptable loss…Great job on your blog!!!! You Go!!!!!!

  58. We stumbled over here coming from a different web address and
    thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
    Look forward to looking into your web page for a second time.

  59. Back in the (my) day… Shirley Temples were for young women and Roy Rogers were for young men. Roy Rogers are made in the same way only substituting cola for the sprite or ginger ale and adding grenadine and a cherry. And “HERE HERE” to only having soda on special occasions!

  60. I thought the Shirley Temples were for girls and the Hop-along-C
    assidy was a drink for boys. I don’t know what the ingredients were in a Hop=along Cassidy.

  61. Thanks for the nostalgic reminder. I drank these quite often as a child. Can’t wait to share it with my own children.
    BTW you photography is excellent!

  62. 5 stars
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