What exactly is a Fluffy Shirley Temple?

Honestly? It’s a fun and creamy twist on the classic Shirley Temple mocktail you probably grew up with. A Fluffy Shirley Temple still has the usual lemon-lime soda and grenadine combo, but it’s topped with whipped cream or milk foam to give it a “fluffy” dessert-like vibe. I like to think of it as the child of a soda float and a party mocktail. It’s super photogenic too—perfect for birthdays or baby showers.

Is a Fluffy Shirley Temple alcoholic?

Nope. Not at all. It’s 100% non-alcoholic, which is why it’s such a hit with kids and anyone avoiding booze. That said, I’ve made adult versions by adding a splash of coconut rum or vanilla vodka and it actually blends in really well. Just label the cups carefully—I once handed the wrong version to my aunt. Whoops.

Can I make a Fluffy Shirley Temple without whipped cream?

You can, but then it’s not really “fluffy,” y’know? I’ve tried using frothed milk once when I was out of whipped topping. It gave it some foam, but it wasn’t as rich or satisfying. If you’re avoiding dairy, go for coconut whipped cream—it’s amazing and still gives that cloud-like finish that makes a Fluffy Shirley Temple feel extra.

Why is the Fluffy Shirley Temple trending on social media?

Because it looks amazing in photos. The pink soda, the whipped cream swirl, the cherry on top—it’s a total Pinterest dream. Plus, it's easy to customize with rainbow toppings, sugar rims, or even edible glitter. I posted mine once with a pastel backdrop and it got more likes than any of my baked recipes. It’s that kind of drink.

Can I prep Fluffy Shirley Temples ahead of time for a party?

Yes, and it’ll save you a ton of stress. What I do is mix the soda and grenadine ahead of time in a big pitcher and keep it chilled. Then, right before serving, I pour it into glasses and add the whipped cream. If you add the cream too early, it melts into the drink and loses that fluffy top. Pro tip: prep your garnishes (cherries, orange slices, sprinkles) in advance too so you can build each glass in like 30 seconds.

What’s the best way to get the layers in a Fluffy Shirley Temple?

The trick is all in the pour. Start with ice in your glass, then pour in the lemon-lime soda first. Slowly add the grenadine so it sinks to the bottom and makes that pretty ombré effect. Add whipped topping gently on top—either by spoon or piping bag. The first time I made one, I sprayed the whipped cream directly into the soda and it exploded everywhere. Learned that the hard way.

Fluffy Shirley Temple (Viral Recipe)

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7UP)
1 tbsp grenadine syrup
Ice cubes
Whipped cream or coconut whipped topping
Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Optional: orange slice, rainbow sprinkles, or edible glitter

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Instructions

Fill a glass with ice cubes.
Pour in the lemon-lime soda.
Slowly add grenadine so it sinks to the bottom for a layered look.
Gently spoon or pipe whipped cream on top to create a fluffy finish.
Garnish with a maraschino cherry and optional toppings.
Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy fizz!

Notes

For a dairy-free version, use coconut whipped cream. Prep soda and grenadine in advance for parties, but add whipped topping just before serving to maintain the fluff.

Author: Sabella Sachi
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Drinks
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: 140
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 35mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 15mg