Nothing says fun quite like a fizzy, creamy treat with a pop of cherry sweetness — that’s why I’m excited to share this Shirley Temple Float Recipe with you. It’s a nostalgic twist on the classic Shirley Temple drink, upgraded with luscious vanilla ice cream and sparkling soda that’ll instantly brighten your day.

A tall clear glass holds a pink and white layered milkshake, with a thicker pink layer at the bottom and a frothy lighter pink and white foam on top. The top layer is covered with white whipped cream sprinkled with pink sugar crystals, garnished with a red cherry and a green lime wedge. Two striped paper straws, one green and white and the other pink and white, stand inside the glass. Around the glass are a halved lime, a white bowl filled with red cherries, and another white bowl with bright red syrup. The background has a soft pink cloth, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Shirley Temple Float Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Shirley Temple Float Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Shirley Temple Float Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve always loved the Shirley Temple — it reminds me of childhood celebrations, but turning it into a float makes it feel a little more indulgent. This Shirley Temple Float Recipe balances the sweetness of grenadine with creamy ice cream and fizzy soda, creating a delightful treat that’s as fun to sip as it is to serve.

All-in-One Fun: Combines a classic soda, cherry syrup, and ice cream for a deliciously layered flavor experience.
Quick & Easy: Takes just five minutes to whip up — perfect for when you want a special treat without the fuss.
Kid-Friendly & Nostalgic: It’s a non-alcoholic delight that’s perfect for all ages and brings back fond memories.
Customizable: Simple enough to tweak with your favorite soda, ice cream flavor, or garnishes to make it your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients are simple, but they work perfectly together. The vanilla ice cream adds creamy richness; grenadine offers that signature sweet cherry flavor; and the lemon-lime soda adds exciting bubbles and light citrus that keep things fresh. Here’s why I love each one and some tips on picking the best versions.

Flat lay of a scoop of fresh creamy vanilla ice cream in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with bright red grenadine syrup, a small white bowl containing clear lemon-lime soda with visible tiny bubbles, a few glossy maraschino cherries without stems, two fresh lime wedges with vibrant green skin and juicy pulp, a small white bowl with a dollop of smooth whipped topping, and a small white bowl filled with sparkling pink sanding sugar crystals, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vanilla Ice Cream: Choose a creamy, high-quality ice cream — it’s the heart of the float and adds smooth texture that complements the soda.
Grenadine: Look for real pomegranate-based grenadine if you can; it has a richer flavor and vibrant red color that makes the float pop visually and taste-wise.
Lemon Lime Soda: Go with a classic brand like Sprite or 7-Up for that crisp, citrusy punch. Avoid diet sodas here for the best flavor and fizz.
Maraschino Cherries (optional): I love the bright burst of sweetness and the nostalgic garnish appeal—plus, they add a fun little treat at the end.
Lime Wedges (optional): A squeeze of fresh lime can balance the sweetness with some tang, and it makes your float look extra special.
Whipped Topping (optional): Adds a light, fluffy finish on top that’s basically the cherry on top—literally!
Pink Sanding Sugar (optional): Sprinkled on the whipped topping, it brightens the look and adds a teeny bit of crunch, making it festive.

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

While I adore the classic Shirley Temple Float Recipe as is, I encourage you to personalize it! Add a splash of creativity for a float that matches your taste perfectly or even fits a dietary need.

Variation: I sometimes swap vanilla ice cream with strawberry or cherry-flavored ice cream for a berry twist that pairs beautifully with the grenadine.
Diet-Friendly: Use a sugar-free lemon-lime soda and a light vanilla frozen yogurt to enjoy a lighter version while keeping the fun fizz and creaminess.
Seasonal Flair: During holidays, I like to add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the whipped cream for a warm, cozy touch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Shirley Temple Float Recipe

A clear glass filled with one layer of white, soft, creamy texture, with bright red syrup being poured from a metal cup onto the top, creating a flowing splash effect. In the background, slightly out of focus, is a white bowl containing bright red cherries and another bowl with bright red syrup, all set on a white marbled surface. A woman's hand holds the metal cup at the top left corner, tilting to pour the syrup down. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Chill Your Glass for the Perfect Float

I always start by popping my glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This might seem like a small thing but trust me — it helps keep the float cooler longer, slowing down the melting ice cream and keeping your soda bubbly.

Step 2: Scoop the Vanilla Ice Cream

Scoop about 8 ounces of good-quality vanilla ice cream right into the bottom of the glass. You want generous scoops so they float perfectly and create that rich creamy base to build on.

Step 3: Drizzle on the Grenadine

Next, gently pour 1 ounce of grenadine syrup over the ice cream. It’ll slowly sink and swirl, making the float look as good as it tastes. Don’t rush this part—taking your time lets the syrup layer beautifully.

Step 4: Pour Lemon-Lime Soda Slowly

Gently add about 8 ounces of lemon-lime soda on top, pouring slowly to keep the ice cream from foaming over. I like to pour it down the inside edge of the glass to keep those bubbles under control.

Step 5: Add Final Touches

Finish with a dollop of whipped topping, a couple of maraschino cherries, a lime wedge, and a sprinkle of pink sanding sugar if you’re feeling fancy. It’s these little details that turn this drink into a true celebration.

Top Tip

From my many Shirley Temple float experiments, I’ve learned how these little tricks really make a difference and ensure your float turns out perfectly every time.

Chill the Glass: Keeping your glass cold is the best way to preserve the ice cream’s texture longer.
Pour Soda Slowly: Pouring soda gently down the side of the glass keeps foam in check and stops it from spilling.
Layer Gracefully: Always start with ice cream at the bottom so the soda floats around it, creating that perfect layered look.
Enjoy Immediately: These floats are best fresh—don’t try to make too far ahead or reheat.

How to Serve Shirley Temple Float Recipe

Garnishes

I always rely on maraschino cherries—they’re iconic and add a fun pop of color and sweetness. A fresh lime wedge adds a zesty contrast I can’t resist. Topping with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pink sanding sugar just takes the presentation over the top.

Side Dishes

This float pairs beautifully with salty snacks like popcorn or crispy fries. I’ve also served it alongside classic tea sandwiches or simple buttery cookies for a party vibe everyone enjoyed.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or summer gatherings, I like to serve these floats in vintage soda glasses or mason jars. Adding fun paper straws and colorful cocktail picks with cherries helps make them feel extra festive and gift-ready for any celebration.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This float is definitely best enjoyed right away — because of the ice cream and soda, it melts and loses fizz fast. I don’t recommend storing leftovers once assembled, but you can prep the components separately beforehand.

Freezing

The float itself doesn’t freeze well once mixed, but feel free to freeze extra portions of ice cream and even grenadine syrup separately for quick future floats.

Reheating

Since this is an ice cream soda float, reheating isn’t really an option. The best experience comes from making each float fresh to enjoy the fizzy texture and creamy contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What makes a Shirley Temple float different from a classic Shirley Temple?

The Shirley Temple float adds a scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream to the traditional mix of grenadine and lemon-lime soda, making it richer and creamier — more like a sweet soda float.

Can I use other soda flavors in this float?

Absolutely! Lemon-lime soda is classic, but you can experiment with ginger ale, cream soda, or even a berry-flavored soda to customize the taste. Just keep the balance with the grenadine and ice cream for the best result.

Is grenadine syrup alcoholic?

No, grenadine is a non-alcoholic syrup traditionally made from pomegranate juice and sugar. It’s safe and perfect for all ages, especially in a Shirley Temple float.

Can I make this float in advance?

I recommend making it right before serving. The soda’s fizz and ice cream’s creamy texture are at their best freshly combined. You can prep your garnishes beforehand and chill the glass, but assemble the float just before enjoying.

Final Thoughts

This Shirley Temple Float Recipe is one of those recipes I reach for when I want to impress guests with something simple but delightful, or when I just need a little old-school happiness in a glass. It’s easy to make, always hits the spot, and can be your go-to for celebrations or just a casual afternoon pick-me-up. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do!