How to make a shirley temple for kids
This guide covers the classic 3-ingredient method plus ratio scaling and variations. It doesn’t address homemade grenadine from scratch — that’s a separate recipe entirely.
A Shirley Temple for kids is a non-alcoholic mocktail made with ginger ale (or Sprite), grenadine syrup, and ice — finished with a maraschino cherry. The whole thing takes under two minutes. The trick most recipes skip is the ratio: too much grenadine and it’s cough-syrup sweet; too little and it’s just flat soda.
That ratio question is what brings most parents here. Let’s answer it first.
The Exact Ratio — By Glass Size
Here’s what most recipes won’t tell you: the ratio changes depending on how big the glass is. A standard rule of thumb is 1 part grenadine to 4 parts soda, but what that looks like in practice depends on what you’re pouring into.
To make a Shirley Temple for kids, follow these steps:
- Fill your glass with ice — about half full.
- Pour grenadine first, directly over the ice.
- Slowly pour chilled ginger ale or Sprite down the side of the glass.
- Stir once, gently, from the bottom.
- Add 1–2 maraschino cherries and serve immediately.
That’s it. The pour order matters — grenadine sinks to the bottom naturally and creates that gorgeous layered look kids love, but one stir blends it perfectly.
Quick Comparison — By Glass Size
| Glass Size | Grenadine | Soda | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 oz (small kids’ cup) | 1.5 oz (3 tbsp) | 6 oz | Toddlers, small portions |
| 8 oz (standard) | 2 oz (4 tbsp) | 8 oz | Everyday serving |
| 12 oz (tall glass) | 3 oz (6 tbsp) | 12 oz | Older kids, parties |
| 32 oz (party pitcher) | ¾ cup | 3 cups | Batch serving for groups |
Most guides only give one size. That’s why parents end up eyeballing it and the drink comes out wrong.
Ginger Ale vs. Sprite — Which One Should You Use?
Both work. They’re not the same drink, though.
Ginger Ale (Canada Dry is the classic choice) gives a slightly warmer, more complex flavor with a mild ginger note. It’s the traditional base and what you’d get if you ordered a Shirley Temple at a restaurant. Kids who like a little less sweetness tend to prefer it.
Sprite (or 7UP) makes a crisper, cleaner, more citrusy version. It’s sweeter and brighter. Younger kids — especially those who already love lemon-lime soda — often prefer this version. It also makes the grenadine color pop more visibly.
Look — if your kid is under 6 and has a strong sweet tooth, go with Sprite. For anything else, Canada Dry is the safer bet.
There’s a third option: club soda. Zero sugar, zero flavor — just carbonation. Pair it with a good pomegranate grenadine and you’ve got a drink that tastes great with almost no added sweetener. More on that below.
The Low-Sugar Version (Most Recipes Skip This)
What most guides miss — and parents in 2025 are increasingly asking for — is a lighter version that doesn’t send a 7-year-old into a sugar spiral twenty minutes before dinner.
The fix is simple. Swap regular grenadine for a pomegranate juice base.
Mix 2 tablespoons of 100% pomegranate juice (like POM Wonderful) with 1 teaspoon of honey or agave, then use that as your “grenadine.” Pour it over club soda instead of ginger ale. The color is nearly identical. The taste is tart-sweet instead of candy-sweet. It’s genuinely better for kids who don’t need the extra sugar load.
Or maybe I should say it this way — it’s better for parents who don’t want to deal with the aftermath.
Some nutrition experts argue that regular grenadine in small amounts is perfectly fine for kids as an occasional treat. That’s valid, and it is. But if you’re making this for a birthday party where kids are already eating cake and juice boxes, the lighter version is a smart call.
Fun Variations That Kids Actually Like
Once you’ve nailed the classic, there are a few easy riffs worth trying.
Frozen Shirley Temple: Blend the ginger ale, grenadine, and ice together instead of stirring. It comes out like a slushy. Kids lose their minds for this in summer.
Shirley Temple Punch (party batch): Combine 2 liters of ginger ale, 1 cup of grenadine, and 1 can of frozen lemonade concentrate in a large punch bowl. Add ice. Serves 12–15 kids. Stir gently — you want the carbonation to survive.
Pink Lemonade Temple: Replace half the ginger ale with pink lemonade. Slightly tangier, still pretty, and the color is a gorgeous deep rose.
Quick note: if you’re making a batch version, don’t add the ice directly to the pitcher — it dilutes fast. Keep it separate and let guests pour over their own ice.
https://tools.myfooddata.com/nutrition-facts/2104691/wt1
What’s the Best Grenadine to Use?
Rose’s Grenadine is the most widely available option and what most people have in their fridge. It’s corn-syrup based, very sweet, and gives that classic bright-red color. It’s fine for occasional use.
Torani Pomegranate Syrup is a step up — it’s a bit less cloying and mixes more cleanly. Widely available on Amazon and in most grocery stores.
I’ve seen conflicting takes on this — some food bloggers insist that “real” grenadine must be pomegranate-based and that Rose’s is basically artificial flavoring. Others say Rose’s is the authentic American diner version and the whole point. My read is: for a kids’ drink at home, Rose’s works fine. If you care about flavor quality or want a slightly less sweet result, grab Torani or make a simple 2-ingredient version with pomegranate juice and sugar.
The maraschino cherries? Any grocery store brand is fine. Luxardo cherries are delicious but genuinely unnecessary here — save those for adult cocktails.
Voice Search Q&A
Q: What’s the best soda for a Shirley Temple for kids? A: Canada Dry Ginger Ale is the classic choice. Sprite or 7UP works too and makes it sweeter. Club soda is best if you want a low-sugar version with less sweetness overall.
Q: How do I make a Shirley Temple less sweet for my child? A: Use club soda instead of ginger ale, and replace regular grenadine with 2 tablespoons of 100% pomegranate juice mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey. It looks identical and tastes much lighter.
Q: Should I use Sprite or ginger ale for a Shirley Temple? A: Both work. Sprite gives a sweeter, citrusy result. Ginger ale is the traditional base with a slightly warmer, less sweet flavor. For young kids who prefer sweeter drinks, Sprite is a safe bet.
Q: Why does my Shirley Temple taste too sweet? A: You’re likely using too much grenadine. The correct ratio is 1 part grenadine to 4 parts soda. For an 8 oz glass, that means 2 oz of grenadine — about 4 tablespoons — no more.
Q: When should I make a pitcher of Shirley Temple for a party? A: Make it right before serving. Combine 2 liters of ginger ale, 1 cup of grenadine, and 1 can of frozen lemonade concentrate. Keep ice on the side and let guests pour over their own — this prevents dilution and keeps the carbonation alive longer.