This classic Shirley Temple drink is a fizzy, ruby pink, alcohol free soda that takes about 10 minutes to put together and serves a crowd from one large pitcher.
It is just maraschino cherry juice stirred into lemon lime soda, then poured over ice and finished with orange slices and cherries. Kids love the sweet cherry flavor, and adults appreciate how easy it is to set up for parties, holidays, and birthdays.
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Why This Shirley Temple Drink Recipe Works
Only three ingredients are needed, and none of them require cooking or special tools beyond slicing an orange. If you can stir a pitcher, you can make this drink.
Stirring the cherry juice straight into the soda tints the whole pitcher evenly. Every glass gets the same rosy color and the same balanced cherry flavor.
Because the soda stays cold and bubbly in the pitcher, you can pour one glass after another for guests without remixing anything.
Ingredients for Shirley Temple Drink
- 1 jar (10 oz) maraschino cherries, juice and cherries kept separate
- 1 bottle (2 liters) lemon lime soda, chilled
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
Maraschino cherries. The syrupy juice in the jar flavors and colors the drink, while the cherries themselves become the garnish. Keep them separate until serving.
Lemon lime soda. Use a fresh, cold bottle so the bubbles last. Any clear lemon lime soda works, and a diet version makes a lighter glass.
Orange slices. Thin rounds add a little citrus aroma and a bright color against the pink drink.
Ice. Serve over plenty of ice so the soda stays cold through the last sip.
Large pitcher. A big pitcher holds the full bottle and makes it easy to pour many glasses.
Clear glasses. Tall, clear glasses show off the pink color.
How to Make Shirley Temple Drink
1. Drain the cherries. Pour the juice from the jar into a large pitcher and set the cherries aside in a small bowl.
2. Add the soda. Pour the cold soda into the pitcher slowly, tilting it so the bubbles stay lively.
3. Stir gently. Stir with a long spoon or whisk just until the juice turns the soda an even pink, about 20 seconds.
4. Pour over ice. Fill each glass with ice and pour the drink to about an inch below the rim.
5. Garnish. Drop two or three cherries into each glass and tuck an orange slice on the rim.
How to Serve Shirley Temple Drink
Serve this one right away in clear glasses with straws. It is a fun match for an orange dreamsicle salad at a gathering table, a blueberry mojito pitcher for the grown ups, a strawberry pineapple mojito on the same tray, and a cucumber strawberry salad on the side.
How to Store and Reheat Shirley Temple Drink
This drink is ideal when served right after it is mixed, because the bubbles fade as it sits. If you have leftovers, cover the pitcher and refrigerate it, then stir gently and expect a softer fizz. Keep the unused cherries in their jar in the refrigerator, and store the sliced orange covered until you are ready to garnish.
Tips and Variations for Shirley Temple Drink
Chill everything. Cold soda and cold cherry juice give the ideal fizz, so refrigerate both before mixing.
Add more cherry. For a stronger cherry flavor and deeper color, stir in a splash more of the jar juice.
Try a lighter version. Diet lemon lime soda keeps the same bubbly feel with fewer calories.
Make single glasses. Pour a few tablespoons of cherry juice into a glass, add ice, and top with soda for a quick single serving.
Add other garnishes. Mint leaves or fresh berries make pretty alternatives to orange slices.
Use a long spoon. A long spoon reaches the bottom of the pitcher and mixes without knocking out the bubbles.
Set up a drink bar. Put out ice, cherries, and orange slices and let guests build their own glass.
Store leftovers safely. Refrigerate leftovers promptly. For general guidance on storing leftovers, see this storing leftovers guide from Purdue Extension.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shirley Temple Drink
What is in a Shirley Temple drink?
It is made from lemon lime soda and juice from maraschino cherries, served over ice and garnished with cherries and orange slices.
Is a Shirley Temple drink alcohol free?
Yes. This version contains no alcohol, which makes it a good choice for kids and anyone avoiding alcohol.
Can I make a Shirley Temple drink ahead of time?
You can prep the garnish ahead, but mix the soda and juice close to serving time so the fizz stays strong.
Can I use ginger ale instead of lemon lime soda?
Yes. Ginger ale gives a slightly spicier flavor, though it will taste a little different from the classic version.
How many glasses does one bottle make?
One 2 liter bottle makes about eight glasses of 8 ounces each.
Classic Shirley Temple Drink
Equipment
- Large Pitcher
- Long handled spoon
- Cutting board and knife
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 10 oz maraschino cherries one jar, juice and cherries used separately
- 1 2 liter bottle lemon lime soda chilled
- 1 orange thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
Cooking
- Separate the cherries. Drain the jar of cherries, pouring the juice into a large pitcher. Reserve the cherries for garnish.
- Pour the soda. Slowly pour the cold lemon lime soda into the pitcher to keep the fizz.
- Combine. Stir gently with a long spoon until the drink turns evenly pink.
- Fill the glasses. Add ice to each glass and pour in the drink.
- Garnish. Top each glass with cherries and tuck an orange slice on the rim.
