Shirley Temple Slushie

I still remember the first time I tried to make a Shirley Temple slushie for a hot summer afternoon — I was sure it would be simple, but the ice clumped, the flavors were flat, and the kids were patient for all of five minutes. If you’ve ever worried that a fun, fizzy drink will turn into a watery mess, or that your blender can’t handle icy mixtures, you’re not alone. Many beginner home cooks get stuck on texture (too icy, too watery) or worry about substitutions when they don’t have grenadine or ginger ale on hand. I promise this post will walk you through everything step by step so you’ll get a bright, sweet, perfectly slushy Shirley Temple Slushie that’s stress-free and totally doable — even if it’s your first try. For ideas on different tools that make slushies easier, I like to read about other people’s experiences like this Ninja Slushi Shirley Temple Slush review.

Why I Love This Recipe of Shirley Temple Slushie

There’s something about a Shirley Temple Slushie that feels both small-town and celebratory. For me, it’s the taste of childhood summers — a sweet cherry note, a little fizz, and the way the orange juice keeps it fresh and bright. I love this recipe because it’s forgiving. You don’t need fancy equipment, complicated timing, or hard-to-find ingredients. It’s one of those recipes that rewards small adjustments: swap the orange juice for pineapple for a tropical twist, add more grenadine for a deeper cherry color, or make it with sparkling water if you prefer less sweetness.

Beginner cooks will appreciate how quick the recipe is. From start to finish, you can have a glassful of slushy goodness in under five minutes. It’s also practical: it works with a basic blender, and you can scale it up for a party or halve it for one person. I’ve even let kids help measure and press the blender button under supervision — it’s a great first cooking task. If you want more gear inspiration and experiences from other home cooks, check out my favorite community posts like this my Ninja Slushie Maker experience.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Shirley Temple Slushie

Essentials (what you must have)

• 1 cup of ice – The foundation of the slush. Use fresh, solid ice cubes from your freezer.
• 1/2 cup of ginger ale – Adds fizz and a touch of warmth from the ginger. Choose a mild ginger ale if children will drink it.
• 1/2 cup of orange juice – Fresh-squeezed is lovely, but store-bought works fine too. It brightens the flavor and cuts the sweetness from the grenadine.
• 1 tablespoon of grenadine – This gives the slushie its classic cherry color and sweet, tart flavor. Use a real grenadine if possible (not just syrup), but the syrup versions are fine.
• Maraschino cherries for garnish – For the classic look and that extra burst of cherry flavor.

Optional add-ons (things I like to have on hand)

• A squeeze of fresh lime or lemon – Adds brightness and balances the sweetness.
• Crushed or shaved ice instead of whole cubes – If you prefer a finer texture.
• A splash of sparkling water instead of some ginger ale – To cut sweetness and increase fizz.
• A few frozen cherries – For a stronger cherry flavor and deeper color.
• A straw or a fun paper umbrella for serving — purely optional but fun for kids’ parties.

Substitutions and Shortcuts

• Ginger ale substitute: If you don’t have ginger ale, use lemon-lime soda or club soda if you want less sweetness. For less sugar, use diet ginger ale or a mix of sparkling water and a small dash of ginger syrup.
• Orange juice substitute: Pineapple juice or apple juice can work in a pinch. Pineapple makes it tropical, apple makes it milder.
• Grenadine substitute: If you don’t have grenadine, pomegranate syrup or a mix of cherry juice and a teaspoon of sugar will do. Remember that quantities may vary depending on sweetness.
• No blender? If you don’t have a blender, crush the ice in a bag with a rolling pin and stir vigorously with the liquids until slushy — it’s less smooth but still delicious.
• Make-ahead shortcut: Freeze a portion of orange juice in an ice cube tray. Use those cubes in place of plain ice for a more intense orange flavor and less dilution.

Notes on quantities

• The recipe as written makes one serving. To scale up, multiply ingredients evenly. For a pitcher, try 4 cups of ice, 2 cups ginger ale, 2 cups orange juice, and 4 tablespoons grenadine.

How to Make Shirley Temple Slushie Step-by-Step

I like to break this down into small, mindful steps so your first try feels like a breeze.

Step 1 — Gather everything and prep
Collect your ingredients in one spot: ice, ginger ale, orange juice, grenadine, and a bowl with maraschino cherries for garnish. Make sure your blender is clean and dry. If you’re using frozen cherries or frozen OJ cubes, have them ready so you can work quickly. I’ve found that a cold blender jar helps keep things from warming up while you blend.

Step 2 — Add the liquids first
Pour the 1/2 cup of ginger ale and 1/2 cup of orange juice into the blender first. Adding liquids first helps the blades catch and creates a smooth vortex so the ice doesn’t get stuck. If you’re worried about fizz, pour gently.

Step 3 — Add grenadine
Add the 1 tablespoon of grenadine to the liquids. The grenadine will sink a bit, which is fine — it will swirl and color the slush as you blend. If you want a more even rosy color, you can dissolve the grenadine into the orange juice first.

Step 4 — Add the ice
Top with 1 cup of ice. Don’t overfill the blender; leave space for things to move. If your blender is small, work in batches or use crushed ice instead of whole cubes.

Step 5 — Pulse to start
Secure the lid and pulse the blender a few times to break up the ice. This helps prevent large chunks and keeps the motor from straining. Short bursts of power are better than one long spin.

Step 6 — Blend on medium-high
Blend for 20–40 seconds on medium-high until the mixture becomes smooth and slushy. Stop and scrape down the sides if needed and pulse again. You’re aiming for a texture like soft snow or a frozen lemonade slush — not a smoothie.

Step 7 — Check texture and taste
Taste a spoonful. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of ginger ale or orange juice and blend for a few seconds. If it’s too thin, add a few more ice cubes and pulse until perfect. Adjust grenadine if you want more color or sweetness.

Step 8 — Pour and garnish
Pour the slush into a chilled glass. Top with a maraschino cherry and a little of the cherry syrup if you like a sweeter finish. A small lime wedge on the rim makes it feel fancy without being complicated.

Step 9 — Serve immediately
This slush is best right away. If you need to hold it a short while, keep it in the freezer for a minute or two, then give it a quick stir before serving.

Shirley Temple Slushie

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• Author: Rebecca
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 serving 1x
• Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A bright, sweet, and fizzy slushie that captures the essence of summer with a classic Shirley Temple twist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup of ice
• 1/2 cup of ginger ale
• 1/2 cup of orange juice
• 1 tablespoon of grenadine
• Maraschino cherries for garnish
• A squeeze of fresh lime or lemon (optional)
• Crushed or shaved ice (optional)
• A splash of sparkling water (optional)
• A few frozen cherries (optional)

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Instructions

1. Gather all the ingredients and ensure your blender is clean.
2. Pour the ginger ale and orange juice into the blender first.
3. Add the grenadine to the liquids.
4. Top with ice and secure the blender lid.
5. Pulse the blender a few times to break up the ice.
6. Blend on medium-high for 20–40 seconds until smooth and slushy.
7. Taste and adjust texture with more juice or ice if necessary.
8. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
9. Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is forgiving and can be customized with different juices or sodas.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 20mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 53g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Shirley Temple, slushie, summer drink, non-alcoholic beverage, family-friendly drink

Equipment tips

• Blenders: A good, sturdy blender makes this effortless. If you’re curious about tools that make slushes with less fuss, others have shared their experiences like in this my Ninja Slushie Maker experience.
• Ice quality: Fresh, recently frozen ice cubes are better than ice that has been sitting in the freezer (they pick up freezer flavors). Clearer ice also blends smoother.
• Glassware: Use tall glasses for serving so there’s room for a straw and garnish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1 — Overfilling the blender
I’ve seen this happen a few times: excited and pouring everything in at once, then the blender stalls or the ice won’t break down. Don’t cram the jar. Leave about a third of the space free so the blades can circulate. If needed, work in two batches.

Mistake 2 — Using too much grenadine at once
Grenadine is delicious but can easily overpower the drink. It’s also very sweet. Start with the tablespoon called for in the recipe, then taste and add more only if you want a deeper cherry flavor. If you add too much, dilute with a little more orange juice or ginger ale.

Mistake 3 — Blending on the highest setting and for too long
High speed is tempting, but long blending can warm the mixture, leading to faster melting and watery slush. Use medium-high and short pulses. Let the blender rest if it starts to smell warm. A few short blends will preserve the texture.

Serving Suggestions for Shirley Temple Slushie

Simple party setup
For a backyard party, set up a little slush station with the finished Shirley Temple Slushie, extra maraschino cherries, lime wedges, and paper straws. Offer a bowl of crushed ice to keep drinks chilled between servings. Kids love picking their own garnish, and adults appreciate the nostalgia.

Pairing with snacks
This slush pairs beautifully with light, finger-friendly snacks. Think buttery popcorn, simple cheese and crackers, or fruit skewers. For a kid-friendly snack table, try mini sandwiches and cucumber slices. Keep the flavors mild so the sweet, fizzy drink remains the star.

Make it an after-dinner treat
Serve the slush in small glasses as a cool finish to a warm-weather dinner. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream dropped into a Shirley Temple Slushie makes an impromptu float — a simple indulgence that’s easy to assemble when you want a special end to an evening. If you’re planning a themed night, these ideas from other slush-focused posts can spark more decoration tips like this Ninja Slushi Shirley Temple Slush inspiration.

Conclusion

You’ve learned how easy and forgiving this Shirley Temple Slushie can be — it’s quicker than you might think, easy to customize, and a cozy, classic treat that works for beginners and seasoned home cooks alike. Try swapping juices, adding frozen cherries, or using different sparkling mixers to make the recipe your own. If you want more variations and tutorials, this helpful piece on making a similar slush with a specific machine is a great read: Ninja Slushi Shirley Temple Slush – I Dream of Ice Cream. For another easy frozen Shirley Temple mocktail recipe and tips on sweetening and texture, see this guide: Easy Frozen Shirley Temple Mocktail Recipe | Healthy Little Peach.

FAQs About Shirley Temple Slushie