Shirley Temple Cocktail

The Shirley Temple is the original kid-friendly mocktail, named after the famous 1930s child star, and it’s still the go-to non-alcoholic drink at parties, restaurants, and holiday gatherings.

It’s beautifully simple: soda water meets a pour of grenadine syrup, which sinks to the bottom and creates that signature pink-to-clear gradient in a tall glass. An orange slice and a maraschino cherry on top finish the look.

The grenadine does all the flavor work here, so quality matters. Look for grenadine made with real pomegranate juice rather than the neon-red corn syrup versions. The difference in taste is night and day.

Serve it ice-cold in a tall glass with a straw. And yes, the little paper parasol is basically mandatory.

Kitchen Tips

• Pour the grenadine slowly down the side of the glass for a layered sunset effect
• Use chilled soda water so the ice doesn’t melt too fast and dilute the drink
• Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda can replace soda water for a sweeter version

Variations

• Add a splash of orange juice for a Shirley Temple with more body
• Use sparkling water and homemade pomegranate syrup for a grown-up take
• Swap the cherry for a fresh raspberry or a sprig of mint