Shirley Temple Float

This Shirley Temple Float is a fun twist on the classic mocktail! Creamy vanilla ice cream is mixed with grenadine syrup and lemon-lime soda for a refreshingly sweet dessert beverage.

  • Prep5 min
  • Total5 min
  • Yield1 drink
  • Calories282

Ingredients Steps

Shirley Temple Float

Sip on another delicious float that’s also made with ice cream, such as my Root Beer Floats which are also made with just 4 ingredients!

Shirley temple float on a white coaster with limes and maraschino cherries around it.

All About These Shirley Temple Floats

This Shirley Temple Float turns my absolute favorite drink into dessert! This fun summer twist on the nostalgic drink is the perfect way to welcome spring and enjoy the warmer months!

Though its bright red color would also make for a fun, festive treat around Valentine’s Day! Since these floats are made in just 5 minutes using only four ingredients, they’re easy enough just to make whenever you want!

What’s In A Shirley Temple?

Shirley temples are typically made with just two ingredients, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale and grenadine syrup.

Two glasses of shirley temple floats on white coasters with limes and maraschino cherries around them.

Shirley Temple Float Ingredients

  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Grenadine Syrup
  • Lemon-Lime Soda
  • Maraschino Cherries

Grenadine Syrup

One key ingredient that makes this Shirley Temple Ice Cream float stand out is the homemade grenadine syrup! It cooks up on the stovetop in just 8 minutes using only three ingredients, pomegranate juice, granulated sugar, and lemon juice.

I switched to the homemade syrup to skip out on the high fructose corn syrup, red dye, and artificial flavors that are found in the store-bought version. With homemade syrup, you get a much better flavor with quality ingredients, making the taste so much better!

Grenadine syrup being poured over scoops of vanilla ice cream in a glass.

How To Make A Shirley Temple Float

  1. Add vanilla ice cream to a chilled soda glass. Then pour in the grenadine syrup.
  2. Pour the lemon-lime soda in while holding the glass at a slight angle.
  3. Top with a maraschino cherry. Enjoy!
A can of 7Up being poured into a glass with vanilla ice cream and grenadine syrup.

How To Make A Spiked Shirley Temple Float

You’ll need 4.5 ounces of lemon-lime soda, 1 ounce of grenadine,1/2 ounce of triple sec, and 2 ounces of vodka.

And, of course, vanilla ice cream!

How To Store Leftover Homemade Grenadine Syrup

Leftover grenadine syrup can be stored in a jar with a tight lid or an airtight container. Then keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Use leftovers in more delicious drink recipes such as my Rum Runner or Tequila Sunrise Cocktail!

A woman's hand holding a glass filled with a shirley temple float to the camera.

More Fun Mocktail Recipes:

This recipe was originally published in April 2014 and was updated in January 2023 with fresh photos and content.

Steps

  1. Add vanilla ice cream to a soda glass and pour in the grenadine syrup.

  2. Hold the glass at a slight angle while you pour in the lemon-lime soda, not letting it foam over the edge of the glass.

  3. Top with a maraschino cherry.

Nutrition

  • Calories282
  • Carbs52g
  • Protein2g
  • Fat7g
  • Saturated fat4g
  • Fiber0.5g
  • Sugar45g
  • Sodium77mg

Estimates per serving, when a serving size is listed.