Name: Shirley Temple Float
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 scoops vanilla ice cream; 1 ounce grenadine syrup; 6 ounces lemon-lime soda; Maraschino Cherries

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.

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.

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!

Table of Contents

What’s In A Shirley Temple?

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

All About These Shirley Temple Floats

Taste: Ingredients such as grenadine syrup, lemon-lime soda, and maraschino cherries make for a float that’s bursting with bright and refreshing citrus flavors. The addition of ice cream adds a sweet vanilla touch to each tasty float!

Texture: Since this Shirley temple drink is made into a float, it takes on a creamy consistency from the ice cream! For an even creamier drink, add a dollop of whipped cream!

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

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.

Kitchen Tips To Make The Best Shirley Temple Float

Ice Cream – It’s important to put the ice cream in your cup first! This way, the remaining ingredients are poured over it, helping to meld the flavors together. Also, be sure to use your favorite vanilla ice cream to make this float as delicious as possible for your taste buds!
Choose Your Soda – I like making my float with mist twist lemon-lime soda. However, sprite or 7-UP can be used as well. If you prefer, it can even be swapped out for ginger ale.
Pouring – When pouring in the soda, make sure to hold your glass at a slight angle. This helps lessen the agitation in the carbonation so that the float doesn’t spill over!
Garnishes – Dress these floats up with a slice of lime, maraschino cherries, and whipped cream if you’d like!

Pin This Recipe For Later!

A can of 7Up being poured into a glass with vanilla ice cream and grenadine syrup.

This Shirley Temple Drink with ice cream is a delicious way to make the classic mocktail! For more tasty mocktails, check out this Roy Rogers Recipe and this Tiktok famous Jam Seltzer!

You may also love this 4-Ingredient Mocktail that can be made in three different ways! Or this refreshing Cranberry Cooler that mixes up 2 mocktails in just 5 minutes!

How Many Floats Does This Recipe Make?

Following the recipe instructions will yield one float. However, since you already have all the ingredients out, it’s easy to create an assembly line to make as many floats as you need!

Can I Make This A Spiked Shirley Temple Float?

Yes, you can man an alcoholic version of this float recipe. To do so, 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 Do I 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.

Let’s Connect!

If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!

Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges!

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

5 from 4 votes