The Shirley Temple King is serious about his love for the iconic drink.
Meet the Shirley Temple King, an Adorable 6-Year-Old Beverage Critic
Updated on Feb. 27, 2024
You probably ordered many Shirley Temples (aka Kiddie Cocktails) as a kid. You remember…it’s the sweet elixir of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda and grenadine garnished with a bright maraschino cherry. It’s an effervescent treat that turns any occasion into a celebration.
The brightest young Instagram star is known as @theshirleytempleking. The junior beverage critic has made a name for himself by testing and candidly grading Shirley Temples at restaurants across the U.S. We love him, and so do more than 250K followers!
Who is the Shirley Temple King?
His real name is Leo Kelly. The adorable 6-year-old from Fairfield, Pennsylvania, has risen to Internet fame thanks to his honest reviews of Shirley Temples—and that heart-melting smile.
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Leo’s viral Instagram account, which is managed by his parents, includes videos of his honest reviews of the drink. With posts often topping 100,000 views each, Leo has so much star power, he’s even appeared as a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
How does Leo evaluate Shirley Temples?
He greets viewers with, “Hey guys! It’s the Shirley Temple King!” in every video, before diving into his reviews. Adorable.
Then, Leo is brutally honest when it comes to providing feedback. He orders a Shirley Temple at every restaurant he visits and rates it on a scale from 1 to 10, based on flavor, pinkish-red color, fizziness, the number of cherries and other very important criteria.
Here’s how a select few restaurants’ Shirley Temples ranked, according to Leo’s personal scoresheet:
- Longhorn Steakhouse: 8 (“Five cherries!”)
- Gwen (Hollywood): 9.8 (“It’s like my taste buds are dancing, it’s so good!”)
- TGI Fridays: 6.3 (“Very invigorating!”)
- Cheesecake Factory: 5 (“No cherries, plastic cup”)
- Starbucks: 0 (“Tasted like strawberry mixed with mango!”)
We love our new buddy Leo, and he makes us want to order more Shirley Temples!
How do I make a Shirley Temple at home?
Just fill a glass with ice, then pour in about 1 ounce of grenadine. Next, top it off with the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. Add a plump maraschino cherry (or three!) for garnish.
The real question is, would the Shirley Temple King approve of your concoction? We hope your homemade Shirley Temple is a 10/10 on Leo’s scale.
Next up: Learn the history of the Shirley Temple and other classic recipes.
Fizzy Mocktails That Kids of Any Age Can Enjoy
Pomegranate Ginger SpritzerConveniently, a pitcher of this non-alcoholic beverage can be made hours before holiday guests arrive. Add the club soda just before serving. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Sunshine Lime RickeyThis is my re-creation of the lime rickey sodas served at my favorite burger place. I even tried a version using my own homemade bitters. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Tropical CoolerWith only four simple ingredients, this refreshing punch is easy to stir up in just 10 minutes. I served it at a party for my son, and everyone liked the slightly tart flavor. —Robin Werner, Brush Prairie, Washington
Watermelon SpritzerIt couldn’t get much easier than this bright spritzer! “Watermelon blended with limeade is cool and refreshing. It’s a wonderful thirst-quencher on a hot summer day.” —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Orange Blossom Mint RefresherI came up with this recipe because I'm not a fan of regular iced tea. This version has the perfect combination of freshness and sweetness, and the orange blossom water gives the tea a distinctive flavor. People always request the recipe. —Juliana Gauss, Centennial, Colorado
Pink Rhubarb PunchRhubarb is the featured ingredient in this blush-colored punch. A friend passed the recipe on to me, and we enjoy it so much that I thought others might, too. —Rebecca Mininger, Jeromesville, Ohio
Citrus & White Grape Juice Party PunchI was looking for a punch that wouldn't stain expensive prom dresses and tuxedos. Everyone loved this! You can mix the first four ingredients ahead of time, refrigerate and add the soda right before serving. —Karen Ballance, Wolf Lake, Illinois
Virgin Pina ColadaThis easy blender virgin pina colada recipe is a family favorite on a hot day. It creates a nonalcoholic mocktail with the same creamy texture and tropical pineapple-coconut flavor as the original.
Virgin MojitoCool down this summer with a refreshing virgin mojito. Here's how to make a virgin mojito that has all the citrusy flavor and minty aroma of the original without any of the alcohol.
Warm Cider Cranberry PunchI first made this at an instructional cooking camp. My kids loved it so much that, for a time, they insisted we make it every day. Serve it hot in the winter or with the ice during the summer. —Carol Gehringer, Raleigh, North Carolina
Mango Orange QuencherServe this beautiful beverage at your next brunch in place of mimosas. Just chill the base an hour before adding the club soda. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Citrus Cider PunchI share this refreshing punch recipe with people who visit our apple cider mill. It's perfect for autumn and holiday gatherings. —Carolyn Beck, St Johns, Michigan
Scarlet SipperThis sweet, tart and slightly fizzy drink is a favorite for gatherings at our church. The bright color sets a festive tone, and the flavors blend seamlessly. —Amber Goolsby, Geneva, Alabama
Cranberry Cherry PunchThis crimson-colored beverage is wonderful for Christmas and looks festive in a glass punch bowl. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
Easy Citrus SlushOur church’s hostess committee has relied on this refreshing drink for bridal and baby showers and other events. We often use different flavors and colors of gelatin to match the decor of the occasion. —Joy Bruce, Welch, Oklahoma
Sparkling Coconut Grape JuiceThis sparkling drink is a nice change of pace from lemonade and party punch. The lime, coconut and grape combination is so refreshing. Add a splash of gin if you're feeling bold. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Pink Party PunchThis easy punch will be the highlight of any party. The fruity flavors blend perfectly together, making it impossible to have just one glass.—Carol Garnett, Bellevue, Washington
Warm Christmas PunchRed Hot candies add rich color and spiciness to this festive punch, and the cranberry juice gives it a little tang. Our children always request it for December brunches. —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
Iced Honeydew Mint TeaI grow mint in the garden on my balcony. For this tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Beat the heat with this watermelon agua fresca.
Lemony Fruit CoolerThis punch looks so pretty with all the colorful fruit floating in the bowl. It has a refreshing taste and is easy to put together. —Dawn Shackelford, Fort Worth, Texas
Lemony Pineapple Iced TeaI like to garnish this iced tea with some of our sweet Hawaiian pineapple. —Beverly Toomey, Honolulu, Hawaii
Cranberry FizzWith just five basic ingredients, this wonderfully tangy punch couldn't be much simpler to stir together. —Suzette Jury, Keene, California
Cider WassailA non-alchoholic version of the classic holiday beverage, this wassail recipe has an apple cider base with tangy notes of pineapple and citrus.
Rosemary LemonadeA friend suggested I add a sprig of rosemary to lemonade. The herb makes the drink taste fresh and light, and it's a pretty garnish. —Dixie Graham, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Strawberry Watermelon SlushWe like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana
Blackberry ShrubMaking a shrub recipe is a creative way to use up extra fruit all the way through Labor Day. We were inspired by sampling the house-made shrubs at a restaurant in California. They are as colorful and refreshing as summer drinks should be. —Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado
Peach-Basil CoolerMix peaches and basil with club soda for a cool and refreshing mocktail! —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
Cranberry LimeadeWhen cranberry and lime juice get together, the result is thirst-quenching. Add ice and you’ve got a party in a glass. —Michael Passow, Poughkeepsie, New York
Watermelon-Lime CoolerWhen temps heat up, chill some glasses and cool down with a slushy blend of watermelon, lime and ginger ale. Slurp and repeat. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Rainbow SpritzerLayers of colorful fruit submerged in a fizzy, sweet beverage make this a kid-friendly sipper that gets two thumbs-up. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Blackberry LemonadeHere's a special drink that's perfect when blackberries are in season. It has a tangy, refreshing flavor. —Rich Murray, Nevada, Missouri
Rhubarb Citrus PunchRhubarb grows abundantly in our large farm garden. I'll make this punch for summertime gatherings or for special occasions with our extended family. —Ina Frey, St. Clemens, Ontario
Sparkling Peach BellinisFolks will savor the subtle kiss of peach flavor in this elegant brunch beverage. — Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Raspberry RefresherThis recipe explodes with raspberry flavor! It's a wonderful summertime treat.—Doreen Patterson, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
Citrus PunchThis zesty punch is a refreshing addition to my holiday table. I love its fruity flavor and the bright sunshiny color. You can easily double the recipe if you're expecting a larger group. —Dianne Conway, London, Ontario
Raspberry Iced TeaThis raspberry iced tea recipe is easy to make and super customizable since you can toggle the ratio of sugar to raspberries up or down.
Red and Blue Berry Lemonade SlushThis delightfully sweet-tart beverage showcases fresh raspberries and blueberries. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Orange Juice SpritzerHere’s a zippy twist on regular orange juice. It is not too sweet and is refreshing with any breakfast or brunch entree. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California
Iced Melon Moroccan Mint TeaI grow mint on my balcony, and this refreshing beverage is a wonderful way to use it. It combines two of my favorite drinks—Moroccan Mint Tea and Honeydew Agua Fresca. For extra flair, add some ginger ale. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Rhubarb Mint TeaA bumper crop of rhubarb and mint from my garden inspired me to create this thirst-quenching pick-me-up. Raspberries deepen the tea's vibrant red color, making the drinks a pretty addition to your table. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Blueberry Lime SlushMy husband's family makes a cranberry beverage for the holidays. I changed it up and serve it this way in winter and summer, when blueberries are in season. —Rebecca Bratsman, Tacoma, Washington
Apricot Lemonade Iced TeaEvery special occasion deserves a refreshing beverage (and a lovely punch bowl). Our tea has a tangy flavor from lemonade, apricot nectar and mint. —Kay Chon, Sherwood, Arkansas
