Shirley Temple Punch

Being a mom of 8 kids, we host a lot of parties and family gatherings, and this Shirley Temple Punch is one of our favorite drinks to serve. It takes just 4 ingredients: grenadine, orange juice, lemon-lime soda, and maraschino cherries. You can stir it together in about 5 minutes. One batch makes about a gallon, so it’s an easy, affordable way to give a whole crowd of kids and adults something special to enjoy.

If you love a classic Shirley Temple, this punch-bowl version is the easiest way to serve it to a crowd. Planning a big party and want more than one drink? Try our Party Punch Recipe or St Patrick’s Day Punch.

What Is a Shirley Temple Punch?

A Shirley Temple is a classic non-alcoholic drink named after the 1930s child actress. The original classic Shirley Temple recipe is ginger ale or lemon-lime soda with a splash of grenadine and a cherry on top. This punch version adds orange juice and makes it by the bowlful, so you can serve a whole party at once.

Why We Love This Recipe:

• Just 4 ingredients. One bottle of grenadine, a carton of orange juice, a 2-liter of soda, and a jar of cherries – all easy to find at any grocery store.
• Ready in 5 minutes. There’s nothing to cook. Just pour, stir, and serve.
• Makes a full gallon. One batch fills about 16 cups, so it goes a long way at birthday parties and family gatherings.
• Everyone can drink it. It’s a fun, fizzy mocktail the kids love, and grown-ups can add a splash to their own glass if they want.
• Budget-friendly. It costs less than buying individual sodas or juice boxes for a crowd.

Ingredients: 

• Grenadine syrup – This sweet, red syrup gives the punch its pretty pink color and cherry-pomegranate flavor. It’s non-alcoholic and is usually near the drink mixers. One 12-ounce bottle is exactly the 1 ½ cups you need.
• Orange juice – Pulp-free orange juice gives you a clearer, prettier punch, but any kind works. Chill it overnight.
• Lemon-lime soda – Sprite, 7-Up, or a store brand all work. The store brand is an easy way to save a little money, and nobody will be able to tell once it’s mixed in. Chill it overnight too.
• Maraschino cherries – Pull the stems off before adding them to the bowl. Grab a few extra for garnishing cups.
• Orange – One orange, sliced into rounds, for floating on top. This is optional but makes the bowl look festive.
• Ice – Regular ice works, or see our tip below for ice cubes that won’t water the punch down.

Variation Ideas

• Don’t use cola – Any lemon-lime soda works, but don’t swap in cola, though — that turns it into a Roy Rogers.
• Ginger Ale – The original Shirley Temple was made with ginger ale. Use a 2-liter of ginger ale in place of the lemon-lime soda, or do half and half (1 liter of each) for a little extra bite.
• Pomegranate – Swap the grenadine for pomegranate juice for a less sweet, more tart punch. The color will be a little darker.
• Sherbet Punch – Float a few scoops of orange or rainbow sherbet on top right before serving for a creamy, frothy punch. Love sherbet? Try our Orange Sherbet Punch too.
• Dirty Shirley – For the grownups, add 1 to 1 ½ ounces of vodka, tequila, or rum to each adult’s cup instead of the punch bowl. That way the bowl stays kid-friendly.

How to make Shirley Temple Party Punch

• Step 1 – Add ice to a large punch bowl.  
• Step 2 – Pour the remaining ingredients on top and stir to combine. 

• Step 3 – Serve cold. Garnish with orange slices and cherries.  Enjoy!  

Recipe Tips

• Chill Everything First – Put the orange juice, soda, and grenadine in the fridge the night before. Cold ingredients keep the ice from melting as fast, so the punch stays cold and doesn’t water down.
• Make Ice That Won’t Water It Down – Fill an ice cube tray with lemon-lime soda or orange juice and freeze. Drop a cherry in each cube for a fun touch the kids will love.
• Make the Base Ahead – Stir the grenadine and orange juice together up to a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Add the soda and ice right before guests arrive.
• Give It a Stir – Grenadine is heavier than the other ingredients, so it slowly sinks to the bottom. Give the bowl a gentle stir every so often so every cup tastes the same.
• Using a Drink Dispenser? Dispensers pour from the bottom, right where the grenadine settles, so the first cups can come out extra red and sweet. Stir well before you fill it and give it a stir every 20 minutes or so.
• Use a Big Enough Bowl – One batch is about a gallon of punch, so you’ll want a punch bowl or dispenser that holds at least 1 ½ gallons to leave room for ice.

Serving Suggestions

This punch is a hit at birthday parties, baby and bridal showers, Christmas get-togethers, and Valentine’s Day. We especially love it on New Year’s Eve, so the kids have something fancy to toast with at midnight.

For an extra-special touch, thread two or three cherries on a toothpick and set one in each cup. Serve it with easy party food like our Crock Pot Appetizers so you can spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Easy Punch Recipes:

• Easy 3 Ingredient Grinch Punch Recipe
• Christmas Morning Punch
• Thanksgiving Punch

If you make this Shirley Temple Punch Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love hearing from you.