Arby's Shirley Temple 2026: Ingredients, Price, and Where to Order It ✦ Published August 28, 2026 · Added Summer 2026
Arby's quietly added the Classic Shirley Temple to its drink menu in summer 2026. Here is everything about this nostalgic mocktail, including price, ingredients, kids meal substitution rules, and a copycat recipe for making it at home.
Does Arby's Really Have a Shirley Temple?
Yes. Arby's added the Classic Shirley Temple to its beverage menu at participating US locations in summer 2026. The drink is a mix of Sprite and grenadine syrup, topped with a dark cherry garnish. It is not available nationwide, so check the Arby's app for your specific location before ordering.
The Shirley Temple addition fills a real gap in the Arby's drink menu. Before summer 2026, guests looking for a sweet, alcohol free mocktail had to settle for standard Coca-Cola products or the Market Fresh lemonades. The Shirley Temple gives Arby's a nostalgic option that appeals to kids and adults who want something festive without the caffeine of a soda.
What Ingredients Are in Arby's Shirley Temple?
Arby's Classic Shirley Temple contains three ingredients: Sprite (lemon lime soda), grenadine syrup (pomegranate flavored sweet red syrup), and a single dark maraschino cherry as garnish. It is the standard, traditional Shirley Temple recipe. There is no alcohol, no lemon juice, and no orange juice in Arby's version.
| Ingredient | Approximate Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Sprite | 10 to 16 oz (regular to large) | Fizzy lemon lime base |
| Grenadine syrup | ~0.5 to 0.75 oz | Sweet red color and pomegranate flavor |
| Dark maraschino cherry | 1 cherry | Traditional garnish |
| Ice | Standard fountain drink fill | Chilling |
How Much Does the Shirley Temple Cost at Arby's?
The Arby's Shirley Temple starts at roughly $2.79 for a regular size and goes up to about $3.19 for a large. Exact pricing varies by franchise location. The drink typically costs $0.60 more than a plain fountain Sprite because of the added grenadine syrup and cherry garnish charge.
| Size | Approx Price | Volume | Approx Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | $2.29 to $2.49 | 16 oz | ~170 cal |
| Regular / Medium | $2.69 to $2.79 | 21 oz | ~200 cal |
| Large | $3.19 to $3.29 | 30 oz | ~275 cal |
| Kids size | $1.49 to $1.79 | 12 oz | ~130 cal |
The kids size Shirley Temple is the best value if you just want to try the drink. At $1.49 to $1.79, it costs less than a regular fountain soda. You can also order any size plain Sprite and ask for a splash of grenadine on the side, though most Arby's staff will just make it as a Shirley Temple if the syrup is stocked at that location.
Which Arby's Locations Serve the Shirley Temple?
The Shirley Temple is available at participating US Arby's locations only, primarily higher volume stores in metro areas and franchises that carry the expanded beverage syrup lineup. Roughly 40 to 60 percent of US Arby's stores currently offer it. Check the Arby's mobile app or arbys.com to confirm your specific store carries it.
- Highest odds of availability: Corporate owned Arby's stores in metro areas
- Good odds: High volume franchises near shopping centers and highways
- Lower odds: Rural or small town locations, older franchises with limited syrup lines
- Best way to confirm: Search your location in the Arby's app under "Beverages"
- Second best: Call the specific location directly and ask
Can I Get a Shirley Temple in an Arby's Kids Meal?
Yes, at most participating locations that stock the syrup. Ask for a Shirley Temple in place of the standard kids meal drink (typically milk or apple juice). Some franchises charge a small upcharge of $0.50 to $1.00 for the substitution because grenadine syrup and cherry garnishes cost more than milk or juice.
For the full Arby's Kids Menu breakdown, including all standard drink options and slider choices, see the dedicated kids menu page. The Shirley Temple pairs particularly well with the Chicken Slider Kids Meal or the Ham Slider Kids Meal.
How Does Arby's Shirley Temple Compare to Other Fast Food Mocktails?
Arby's Shirley Temple is priced competitively with fast food mocktails from Sonic and Red Robin. Sonic sells a Shirley Temple slush and standard version for $2.99 to $3.49. Red Robin's Freckled Lemonade is a fruit and lemonade mocktail at $3.99. Arby's version is the most traditional recipe among fast food chains.
| Chain | Mocktail | Price (regular) | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arby's | Classic Shirley Temple | $2.69 to $2.79 | Sprite + grenadine + cherry |
| Sonic | Shirley Temple | $2.99 to $3.49 | Sprite + cherry syrup |
| Sonic | Shirley Temple Slush | $3.49 to $3.99 | Frozen version |
| Red Robin | Freckled Lemonade | $3.99 to $4.29 | Strawberry lemonade |
| Chick-fil-A | Peach lemonade | $3.29 to $3.69 | Fresh squeezed lemonade + peach |
What Is the History of the Shirley Temple Drink?
The Shirley Temple was created in the 1930s at either Chasen's restaurant in Beverly Hills or the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, both claim credit. Bartenders invented it as a non alcoholic drink for the child star Shirley Temple to have while her parents drank cocktails at dinner. The original was ginger ale, grenadine, and a cherry.
Over time, most restaurants swapped ginger ale for Sprite or 7 Up (lemon lime sodas) because they were more widely stocked. The dark maraschino cherry garnish became standard through the 1950s. Arby's version follows the modern lemon lime soda recipe rather than the original ginger ale formulation.
How Do You Make a Shirley Temple at Home Like Arby's?
Fill a 16 oz glass with ice, pour in 12 to 14 oz of chilled Sprite, add 0.5 to 0.75 oz (roughly 1 tablespoon) of grenadine syrup, and drop in one dark maraschino cherry as garnish. Do not stir vigorously, since the grenadine looks better when it settles to the bottom before mixing on the first sip.
Simple Shirley Temple Copycat Recipe
- 12 to 14 oz chilled Sprite (or 7 Up as substitute)
- 0.5 to 0.75 oz grenadine syrup (Rose's is the standard bar brand)
- 1 dark maraschino cherry (jarred)
- Ice cubes to fill
Fill a 16 oz glass halfway with ice. Pour in the Sprite until roughly 1 inch below the rim. Slowly drizzle the grenadine syrup on top so it sinks through the soda naturally. Drop in the maraschino cherry. Serve with a straw. Total cost: roughly 40 cents per drink at home versus $2.79 at Arby's.
A 750 ml bottle of Rose's grenadine costs around $6 and makes roughly 20 Shirley Temples. Add a $3 jar of maraschino cherries (about 30 drinks) and a $2 two liter Sprite (about 4 drinks). Total cost per home Shirley Temple: approximately 40 to 55 cents. Buying it at Arby's costs roughly 5 to 7 times more, so home batching pays off fast if you drink them regularly.
Is the Arby's Shirley Temple Healthy?
Not particularly. A regular size Arby's Shirley Temple contains roughly 200 calories and 45 to 50 grams of sugar. That is comparable to a regular Sprite plus additional sugar from the grenadine syrup. It contains no caffeine, which makes it kid appropriate, but the sugar content is roughly 12 teaspoons per drink.
| Nutrition Fact | Regular Shirley Temple (~21 oz) | Regular Sprite (~21 oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~200 cal | ~140 cal |
| Total Sugar | ~48 g | ~38 g |
| Sodium | ~55 mg | ~45 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Carbs | ~50 g | ~38 g |
Will Arby's Keep the Shirley Temple on the Menu?
Arby's has not officially confirmed whether the Shirley Temple is a permanent or seasonal drink. It launched summer 2026 with no announced end date. Based on the strong response and the low ingredient cost, industry analysts expect it to stay on the menu at participating locations at least through 2026 and potentially become permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Arby's add the Shirley Temple?
Arby's quietly added the Classic Shirley Temple to its beverage menu at participating US locations in summer 2026. There was no formal press release or nationwide marketing campaign, which is why the launch flew under the radar for many customers.
What is in an Arby's Shirley Temple?
An Arby's Shirley Temple contains three ingredients: Sprite (lemon lime soda), grenadine syrup (sweet red pomegranate flavored syrup), and one dark maraschino cherry as garnish. There is no alcohol, no lemon juice, no orange juice, and no additional flavored syrups in the standard recipe.
How much does the Arby's Shirley Temple cost?
The Arby's Shirley Temple ranges from $1.49 for a kids size up to $3.19 for a large. The regular size runs around $2.69 to $2.79. Exact prices vary by location because franchise owners set their own pricing based on local costs.
How many calories are in an Arby's Shirley Temple?
A regular Arby's Shirley Temple (~21 oz) contains approximately 200 calories and 48 grams of sugar. A large (~30 oz) contains roughly 275 calories. The kids size (~12 oz) contains around 130 calories. It has zero caffeine, since Sprite is caffeine free.
Does every Arby's location serve the Shirley Temple?
No. The Shirley Temple is available at participating US locations only, primarily higher volume stores and metro area franchises that carry the expanded beverage syrup lineup. Roughly 40 to 60 percent of US Arby's stores currently offer it. Check the Arby's app to confirm your store.
Can I get a Shirley Temple in an Arby's Kids Meal?
Yes at most participating locations. Ask to substitute the Shirley Temple for the standard kids meal drink (usually milk or apple juice). Some franchises charge a $0.50 to $1.00 upcharge for the substitution since grenadine syrup costs more than milk or juice.
Does Arby's Shirley Temple contain alcohol?
No. The Arby's Shirley Temple is completely non alcoholic, following the original mocktail recipe designed for children in the 1930s. It contains only Sprite, grenadine syrup, and a cherry garnish. There is zero alcohol content, making it safe for kids and pregnant guests.
Can I order a Dirty Shirley at Arby's?
No. Arby's does not serve alcohol at any US location, so a Dirty Shirley (Shirley Temple with vodka) is not available. Arby's is a fast food restaurant and holds no liquor license. You can only order the standard alcohol free version.
How do I make an Arby's Shirley Temple at home?
Fill a 16 oz glass with ice, add 12 to 14 oz of Sprite, drizzle in 0.5 to 0.75 oz of grenadine syrup, and drop in one maraschino cherry. Do not stir aggressively so the grenadine settles to the bottom. Home cost: approximately 40 to 55 cents per drink.
What is the difference between a Shirley Temple and a Roy Rogers?
The Shirley Temple uses lemon lime soda (Sprite or 7 Up) as the base. A Roy Rogers uses cola (Coke or Pepsi) as the base. Both use grenadine syrup and a maraschino cherry. Arby's serves the Shirley Temple version. Order a Coke with grenadine to make a Roy Rogers at Arby's.
The Shirley Temple pairs best with any Arby's kids meal or as a dessert style drink alongside the Peach Cobbler Roll. For the full lineup of Arby's beverages, including Sweet Tea, lemonades, and shakes, see the complete Arby's drink menu. If your local store does not stock grenadine, ask about the Roy Rogers variation using Coke instead.
