Shirley Temple Punch
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Shirley Temple Punch is the ultimate party drink—bubbly, sweet, and packed with nostalgic charm! This easy punch recipe takes the classic Shirley Temple up a notch, blending lemon-lime soda, grenadine, and a splash of pineapple for a fizzy, fruity twist. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any time you need a fun, kid-friendly (but secretly adult-approved) drink!
Searching for the best collection of party drinks? I’ve got you! Be sure to check out my Pink Punch (perfect for mothers day or baby showers), Fruit Punch (most popular recipe on my site) and my Homemade Slushies (a staple for anyone who loves the 7-11 classic)!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for parties – A fun and festive drink that’s easy to make for a crowd.
- Kid-friendly – No alcohol, just sweet, bubbly, fruity goodness that kids love.
- Quick and easy – Only a few ingredients and no fancy techniques required.
- Customizable – Can be made sweeter, less sweet, or even turned into a cocktail.
You have to try this Shirley Temple Punch—it’s basically a party in a glass. Sure, it has all the makings of the classic childhood favorite—bubbly soda, sweet grenadine, and those must-have cherries—but the real star here is the pineapple. Instead of just a hint of fruitiness, it adds this bold, tropical twist that somehow makes the whole thing taste like a pineapple upside-down cake with a fizzy kick. It’s sweet, tangy, and dangerously easy to drink.
And the best part? It’s stupidly simple to make. No shaking, muddling, or fancy bartender moves required—just stir, pour, and enjoy. It’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or honestly, any random Tuesday when you need a little fun in your life. Plus, kids love it, adults secretly love it, and it looks ridiculously pretty in a punch bowl. Basically, if you want a drink that guarantees instant happiness, this is the one.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This punch is sweet, fizzy, and bursting with fruity flavor! Here’s what you need to make it absolutely delicious:
- Grenadine: This is the magic behind that signature Shirley Temple flavor and gorgeous red hue. For the best taste, use a high-quality grenadine made with real pomegranate juice.
- Pineapple Concentrate: Adds a tropical twist that balances the sweetness. Thaw it before mixing so it blends smoothly into the punch.
- Sprite or Ginger Ale: Keeps things bubbly and refreshing. Sprite makes it extra sweet, while ginger ale adds a subtle spice—choose based on your preference!
- ½ cup Maraschino Cherries: No Shirley Temple is complete without these! Toss some in for flavor, but don’t forget to add a few on top for that classic garnish.
That’s it! Just a handful of ingredients for a punch that’s sure to be the star of any party.
Variations and Substitutions
Want to mix things up? Here are some fun ways to tweak this Shirley Temple Punch to fit your taste or what you have on hand:
- Swap the soda: Try ginger ale for a hint of spice, club soda for a less sweet version, or even lemonade for a tangy twist.
- Make it extra fruity: Add a splash of orange juice or cranberry juice for even more flavor depth. OR you can swap the pineapple concentrate for orange.
- Use fresh pineapple juice: If you don’t have frozen pineapple concentrate, pineapple juice works too! Just reduce the amount of soda slightly to keep the punch balanced.
- Turn it into a slush: Blend the ingredients with ice for a frozen Shirley Temple punch that’s perfect for summer.
- Add a grown-up twist: Hosting an adults-only event? A splash of vodka or rum turns this into a fun cocktail.
However you make it, this punch is bound to be a hit!
Shirley Temple Punch Recipes
Making Shirley Temple Punch couldn’t be easier! In just a few steps, you’ll have a bubbly, fruity punch ready to impress.
- Mix the base: In a large punch bowl or pitcher, stir together the grenadine and thawed pineapple concentrate.
- Add the fizz: Pour in the Sprite or ginger ale, stirring gently to keep the bubbles intact.
- Garnish & serve: Add maraschino cherries for that classic Shirley Temple touch, and serve immediately over ice.
That’s it! A festive, crowd-pleasing drink that’s ready in minutes.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
If you’re prepping your punch in advance or want to store leftovers, here’s how to keep it fresh and fizzy:
- For make-ahead prep, mix the grenadine and thawed pineapple concentrate together and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, just add the soda and cherries to keep the punch bubbly and fresh.
- For leftovers, the fizz will start to fade after a few hours, but you can store any extra punch in the fridge for up to 2 days. If it loses its sparkle, add a splash of fresh soda when serving to bring it back to life.
Avoid freezing, as carbonation and juice separation can make the texture and flavor less enjoyable.
Tips for Success:
Chill everything beforehand: Keep the soda, grenadine, and pineapple concentrate in the fridge before mixing. This helps the punch stay cold longer without needing too much ice, which can dilute the flavor.
Use crushed ice for extra chill: Regular ice cubes work fine, but crushed ice chills the punch faster and gives it that classic restaurant-style feel.
Pour the soda last: To keep the fizz strong, add the Sprite or ginger ale just before serving and pour it slowly down the side of the bowl or pitcher.
Amp up the cherry flavor: Stir in a spoonful of maraschino cherry juice for a deeper cherry taste. Bonus: it makes the color even prettier!
Make a layered look: For a fun presentation, pour the grenadine in last without stirring—it will settle at the bottom for a cool ombré effect before naturally mixing in.
Garnish like a pro: Add orange slices, lemon wedges, or fresh cherries on cocktail picks for an extra festive touch.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Mix the grenadine and pineapple concentrate up to 24 hours in advance and store in the fridge. Add the soda and cherries just before serving to keep it fizzy and fresh.
Sprite makes the punch extra sweet and citrusy, while ginger ale adds a light spice. Club soda can also be used for a less sweet version.
Absolutely! A splash of vodka, rum, or even champagne can turn this into a fun adult-friendly punch. Just adjust to taste.
Pomegranate juice or cherry juice are great alternatives. You may need to add a bit of simple syrup if you want to match grenadine’s sweetness.
Use frozen pineapple chunks or freeze some of the punch mixture into ice cubes instead of regular ice. That way, as it melts, it won’t dilute the flavor.
Yes! Use about 1 ½ cups of fresh pineapple juice in place of the concentrate. Reduce the soda slightly so the punch isn’t too thin.
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Shirley Temple Punch
Ingredients
- 1 cup grenadine
- 1 pineapple concentrate
- 2 liter sprite or gingerale
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Start by thawing your pineapple concentrate. If it’s still frozen, run the can under warm water for a minute or two, or scoop it into a bowl and let it sit at room temperature. This ensures it blends smoothly into the punch without clumping.
- In a large punch bowl or pitcher, pour in the grenadine and the thawed pineapple concentrate. Stir well to combine, making sure the pineapple is fully mixed in with the grenadine for even flavor distribution.
- Slowly pour in the Sprite or ginger ale. If using Sprite, the punch will be a little sweeter, while ginger ale adds a subtle spice. Pour gently down the side of the bowl or pitcher to help preserve the carbonation and keep the punch bubbly for longer.
- Add the maraschino cherries. You can simply drop them in for a fun pop of color, or add a few to each glass when serving. For extra cherry flavor, stir in a spoonful of the cherry juice from the jar.
- Give the punch a final gentle stir, then serve immediately over ice. If making it ahead, wait to add the soda until just before serving to keep it fizzy. Enjoy!
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
