This lemon lime shirley temple pours chilled lemon lime soda over ice with a splash of grenadine and a bright red cherry, and it takes about five minutes to make.
The grenadine sinks slowly to the bottom and makes a pretty red to pink gradient, so serve it without stirring if you want that look. It is a classic alcohol free drink that suits every age.
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Why This Lemon Lime Shirley Temple Recipe Works
Only three ingredients are needed, which means the drink tastes clean and fizzy instead of heavy, and nothing competes with the sweet cherry flavor.
Pouring the soda over ice before adding grenadine keeps the fizz lively and lets the red syrup settle into a soft gradient at the bottom of the glass.
You control the sweetness by adjusting the grenadine, so a single tablespoon makes a lighter drink and two tablespoons make a sweeter one.
Ingredients for Lemon Lime Shirley Temple
- For the drink: one cup chilled lemon lime soda, one tablespoon grenadine, and one cup ice cubes, with a second tablespoon of grenadine if you like it sweeter.
- For the garnish: one maraschino cherry, plus a thin orange slice or a lime wheel if you want a little extra color.
Lemon lime soda: Any clear citrus soda works, and a very cold bottle keeps the drink fizzy and tasting crisp from the first sip to the last.
Grenadine: The syrup adds sweetness and the signature red color, and checking the label helps you pick one made with real fruit flavor.
Ice: Plenty of ice keeps the drink cold, and it slows the soda from going flat while you sip.
Maraschino cherry: The cherry is the classic finish, and a spoonful of its syrup can stand in for part of the grenadine.
Optional citrus: An orange slice or lime wheel adds fresh aroma, and ginger ale can replace the soda for a spicier flavor.
How to Make Lemon Lime Shirley Temple
1. Chill the glass. Fill a tall glass most of the way with ice and, if you have time, chill the glass in the freezer for ten minutes first.
2. Pour the soda. Slowly pour the soda down the side of the glass until it is about three quarters full, which keeps the bubbles from foaming over.
3. Add the grenadine. Drizzle in the grenadine and let it sink toward the bottom for a layered red gradient.
4. Stir gently. Give it one quick stir with a long spoon if you want an even pink color, or leave it layered for a prettier look.
5. Garnish and serve. Drop in the cherry, add an orange slice if you like, tuck in a straw, and serve right away while the bubbles are lively.
How to Serve Lemon Lime Shirley Temple
Serve it with a stack of fluffy pancakes for weekend brunch, alongside a fresh fruit pavlova at a birthday table, or next to a banana blueberry smoothie and cookies and cream frappe for a kid friendly drink bar.
How to Store and Reheat Lemon Lime Shirley Temple
This drink tastes freshest when made to order because the soda goes flat within an hour, so mix single glasses as needed. Keep opened grenadine tightly capped in a cool cabinet or the refrigerator according to the label, and refrigerate opened maraschino cherries in their syrup. Do not store the mixed drink.
Tips and Variations for Lemon Lime Shirley Temple
Use cold soda. Chill the bottle overnight, because warm soda foams over and loses its fizz quickly.
Flag the allergens. The drink has no top allergens, but check the labels on the soda and grenadine, since some contain artificial dyes.
Watch the sugar. One glass contains a lot of sugar, so keep it an occasional drink and use less grenadine for younger children.
Make a pitcher. Multiply the soda and grenadine by the number of guests and build each glass over ice just before serving.
Swap the soda. Ginger ale gives a spicier flavor, and sparkling water with extra cherry syrup makes a less sweet version.
Try a fruit twist. Add a splash of orange juice for a tropical flavor, or muddle a few raspberries into the bottom of the glass.
Use clean ice. Make the ice from filtered water and wash the glass well so the drink tastes clean and sparkling.
Check trusted guidance. Read the University of Minnesota Extension guide to storing leftovers for safe handling of fruit garnishes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Lime Shirley Temple
What is in a lemon lime shirley temple?
It contains lemon lime soda, grenadine, and a maraschino cherry, served over ice in a tall glass.
How do I make a lemon lime shirley temple less sweet?
Use one tablespoon of grenadine or less, or replace half of the soda with sparkling water.
Is a lemon lime shirley temple alcohol free?
Yes. The classic version contains no alcohol, which is why it is a popular choice for children and guests who skip drinks.
Can I use ginger ale instead of lemon lime soda?
Yes. Ginger ale is the older classic choice and gives the drink a warmer, spicier flavor.
Why does the grenadine sink?
Grenadine is a thick syrup, so it is heavier than the soda and settles at the bottom unless you stir it.
Lemon Lime Shirley Temple
Equipment
- Tall Glass
- Long spoon
- Straw
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon lime soda chilled
- 1 tbsp grenadine use up to 2 tbsp for a sweeter drink
- 1 maraschino cherry with a spoonful of syrup
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 orange slice optional
Instructions
Cooking
- Ice. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
- Pour. Add the soda slowly down the side of the glass.
- Sweeten. Drizzle in the grenadine and stir once if you want an even color.
- Garnish. Top with the cherry and orange slice and serve right away.
