Raise a glass to limited edition 7Up Shirley Temple, which features pomegranate and cherry notes.
7Up Shirley Temple Review: This New Flavor Is Already a Star
Published on Oct. 18, 2024
If I spot something unusual on the store shelves—Coca-Cola Y3000, Nitro Pepsi—I toss it in my cart faster than the self-checkout can yell at me for having an unexpected item in the bagging area.
Why? I have fizzy drink street cred to uphold. I’ve tested off-brand sodas to find the best ones, plus reviewed bubbly beverages like Hot Take Dr Pepper. And I’ve co-authored two books about the lost tastes, toys and trends of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, so you better believe I know my Jolt Cola from my Surge from my Crystal Pepsi.
7Up has rolled out a genius new flavor: 7Up Shirley Temple, named after the famed kiddie cocktail that was named after the child actress of the 1930s (who reportedly hated the drink). It’s been a while since I was this excited to review!
Shirley Temple 7Up Review
The non-alcoholic drink you get when you order a Shirley Temple is made with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale and a splash of grenadine and topped with a maraschino cherry. It makes perfect, brilliant sense that 7Up, the original lemon-lime soda, thought to release a canned version. Like the bar mocktail, the canned drink combines 7Up and grenadine flavors, featuring pomegranate and cherry notes. Grenadine is a pomegranate-inspired drink syrup, and cherry nods to the maraschino cherry garnish. 7Up Shirley Temple comes in regular and zero sugar versions.
How is it? The regular, full-sugar 7Up Shirley Temple is delightful. This blissful, bubbly beverage manages to be fruity and refreshing without being overly sweet. It’s also pretty—a sparkling bright red that looks great when poured over ice.
The less that can be said about zero sugar 7Up Shirley Temple, though, the better. It’s like comparing a B-movie to a classic. You think the zero-sugar will be acceptable, but there’s an unpleasant chemical aftertaste. Stick to the original, full-sugar version.
Where to Find Shirley Temple 7Up
7Up Shirley Temple will make for a Hollywood-accented addition to holiday parties—kids today have more options than we did, but they might get a kick out of it, and nostalgic grownups will do the same.
Look for the light pink 7Up Shirley Temple cans in stores near you, wherever you find regular 7Up. But don’t wait, because this limited edition flavor will only be around through December 31. Lights, camera, cheers!
