Shirley Temple Ice Cream Float Recipe: My Childhood Throwback in a Glass

Okay, so let me just start by admitting something embarrassing. I thought Shirley Temple was an actual cocktail when I was a kid. Like, grown-ups-only. My mom used to order me one at restaurants to keep me quiet while she enjoyed her actual cocktail, and I’d sip it like I was the fanciest eight-year-old in the room. No idea it was just soda, grenadine, and cherries. Fast-forward twenty years and here I am, trying to turn that nostalgic drink into a full-on ice cream float. Spoiler alert: I messed it up. Multiple times.

But now I’ve nailed it. And it’s so good I don’t even care how many melted, sticky disasters I had along the way.

The Backstory (Because Apparently I Love Tangents)

So this whole thing started because my niece—she’s 6 and has more attitude than I do—asked for a “pink ice cream soda.” I had no idea what she meant. I offered strawberry milk. She rolled her eyes so hard I swear I heard it. After some interrogation, I realized she meant a Shirley Temple float.

Now, here’s the thing: I had never made one. I’ve had root beer floats (classic), Coke floats (underrated), even an orange soda float (tastes like a creamsicle). But Shirley Temple with ice cream? Totally new territory.

And of course, I had to make it overly complicated at first. I bought artisanal vanilla bean ice cream. I ordered fancy grenadine online because the grocery store only had the neon-red stuff. I even tried making homemade maraschino cherries (which is… not worth the effort, trust me). The result? A sticky mess that tasted weirdly like cough syrup.

Second try? I forgot to chill the soda. Lukewarm lemon-lime soda over ice cream = disaster soup.

Third try? My neighbor Sarah (yes, her again) stopped by mid-pour to borrow sugar and I completely overflowed the glass. It looked like a volcano experiment gone wrong.

But the fourth time… magic.

What Makes This Shirley Temple Ice Cream Float Special

Here’s what I learned after four tragic attempts:

• The soda matters. You need it cold. Ice-cold. Like straight-from-the-fridge, don’t-let-it-sit-on-the-counter cold. I used Sprite, but honestly, 7UP works just as well. Even generic lemon-lime soda is fine. Just don’t use ginger ale (I tried, it’s gross).
• Grenadine is tricky. Too much and it tastes like syrup overload. Too little and it’s basically just a soda float. Two teaspoons is perfect for me.
• Ice cream choice counts. Vanilla is classic. But… I also tried cherry ice cream and it blew my mind. Strawberry was too sweet, chocolate was just confusing. So yeah, stick to vanilla or cherry.
• Cherries on top. I don’t care what anyone says, it’s not a Shirley Temple without a maraschino cherry (or three) hanging off the side.

Ingredients (AKA My Grocery Store Misadventures)

Alright, let’s break this down. And yes, I had to make three separate trips to the store because I kept forgetting stuff.

For One Float (but let’s be real, you’ll want two):

• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream (Breyers is my go-to, but use whatever’s in your freezer)
• 1 cup lemon-lime soda, chilled (Sprite, 7UP, or whatever knockoff brand is cheapest)
• 2 teaspoons grenadine (I used Rose’s Grenadine, don’t judge me)
• 2–3 maraschino cherries (with stems if you’re feeling fancy)

Optional stuff I’ve experimented with:

• A splash of orange juice (tasted like a creamsicle, not bad actually)
• Cherry ice cream instead of vanilla (yes, this worked)
• Whipped cream on top (my niece insisted, I complied)

Quick shopping note: do not buy the massive jar of maraschino cherries unless you want to be eating them straight from the fridge at 2 AM. Which… okay, maybe that’s not a bad thing.

The Method (Where I Finally Got It Right)

Step 1: Chill Everything

This sounds obvious, but I learned the hard way. If your soda isn’t ice-cold, the ice cream melts instantly. Stick it in the fridge at least a few hours before making these. Same goes for your glasses—throw them in the freezer if you want to be extra.

Step 2: Scoop the Ice Cream

Two generous scoops straight into a tall glass. I tried using a mason jar once because Pinterest said it would look cute. Spoiler: it doesn’t. Use a float glass or just a tall drinking glass.

Step 3: Pour the Soda

Now here’s where I always messed up—if you dump the soda in too fast, you’ll get a foamy volcano. Pour slowly, at an angle, like you’re pouring a beer. Stop when the glass is about 3/4 full.

Step 4: Add Grenadine

Drizzle in two teaspoons of grenadine. It sinks to the bottom and then swirls up into the soda and ice cream. This is the moment when it actually looks Instagram-worthy.

Step 5: The Cherry on Top

Drop in a cherry. Or three. Sometimes I spear them with a little cocktail umbrella just to make myself feel fancy.

Step 6: Optional Chaos

My niece insists on whipped cream piled high with sprinkles. My neighbor Sarah adds a splash of vodka to hers when the kids aren’t looking (not my idea, but hey, you do you).

My Hard-Learned Tips (AKA Don’t Do What I Did)

• Don’t overdo the grenadine. More than 2 teaspoons and you’ll feel like you’re drinking melted popsicles.
• Don’t use flat soda. I made one with a half-opened bottle of Sprite that had been in the fridge too long. It tasted sad.
• Don’t skip the cherries. They’re not optional. They’re literally the point.
• Serve immediately. This isn’t one of those recipes that gets better with time. It melts. Fast.

The Verdict

Honestly? This Shirley Temple ice cream float is pure nostalgia in a glass. Sweet, fizzy, creamy, and a little ridiculous. It’s basically childhood birthdays, summer barbecues, and diner desserts all rolled into one.

When I finally nailed it, my niece actually said, “This is better than McDonald’s ice cream.” Which, if you know how kids worship McFlurries, is the highest praise possible.

Even Sarah (yes, she got one too) said it tasted like “the good kind of dentist’s office lollipop.” Which… I’ll take as a compliment?

Final Thoughts

Look, I’m not saying this Shirley Temple float is going to change your life. But it might make your Tuesday night a whole lot more fun. Plus, it’s a great way to impress kids without actually cooking anything complicated.

And if you mess it up the first time, don’t worry. Mine overflowed all over the counter, my dog tried to lick it up, and I still survived.

If I can get it right, you absolutely can.

So go grab some ice cream, pour in that soda, swirl in some grenadine, and top it with way too many cherries.

Then tell me—did you stick with vanilla, or did you get wild with cherry ice cream?

Happy sipping 🍒🍦