The Shirley Temple mocktail is a truly iconic non-alcoholic drink and easily one of the most well-known mocktails in the world. It brings together the gentle spice of ginger beer (or sparkling ginger ale), the sweet richness of grenadine (pomegranate) syrup, and the playful touch of a cherry garnish. As a result, it feels both refreshing and cheerful, making it a perfect choice for almost any occasion—from children’s parties to elegant dinners. Thanks to its bright red color and approachable flavor, this sweet classic quickly gained worldwide popularity and remains a favorite to this day.
History
The Shirley Temple mocktail is named after Shirley Temple, the legendary child actress who rose to global fame in the 1930s and 1940s and later served as a diplomat and ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia. According to popular belief, the drink first appeared at the Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles, where bartenders created a child-friendly cocktail in her honor. Over the years, many variations have emerged; however, the core ingredients and the signature cherry garnish have remained unchanged, preserving the spirit of the original.
Ingredients
5 oz (150 ml) ginger beer or carbonated ginger ale (e.g., Canada Dry)
1/2 oz (15 ml) grenadine syrup
1/6–1/3 oz (5–10 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (to taste)
1–2 cocktail cherries for garnish
Ice cubes
How to Make a Shirley Temple Mocktail
First, fill a tall glass with ice. Next, add the grenadine syrup and the freshly squeezed lime juice. You can easily adjust the amount of lime juice if you want to tone down the sweetness of this otherwise quite sweet drink. Then, top up the glass with ginger beer or sparkling ginger ale. Stir gently to combine, making sure the carbonation doesn’t cause the drink to overflow. Finally, garnish with one or two cocktail cherries, which not only elevate the look of the drink but also add a fun finishing touch—especially for kids.
Serving and Garnish
Bartenders traditionally serve the Shirley Temple mocktail in a highball or Collins glass, highlighting its vibrant color and clarity. A cocktail cherry is considered essential, but if you want to add a subtle citrus note and extra visual appeal, a lime wedge also works beautifully.
Calorie Content
One serving of a Shirley Temple mocktail contains approximately 60–90 calories, depending largely on the type of ginger beer or soda used. Grenadine syrup contributes most of the calories; however, it is also the ingredient that gives this drink its signature sweetness and character.