The Swirly Twirly Shirley: A Christmas Shirley Temple
“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups… candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”
Well, Buddy, we’re adding a fifth: sparkly holiday drinks.
I present to you: The Swirly Twirly Shirley — my festive spin on the classic Shirley Temple, inspired by my all-time favorite Christmas movie Elf. Think of it as a grown-up version of the drink we all loved as kids… but make it holiday, make it aesthetic, and make it SPARKLE.
It’s bright, bubbly, sweet, tart, glittery, and absolutely Christmas-party-coded.
Perfect for Christmas Eve, holiday gatherings, cozy movie nights, or that moment when you need something festive in your cup while you wrap gifts and question how many rolls of tape you’ve gone through.
And the best part? It takes like… 10 seconds to make. Truly the opposite of stressful, which is exactly the energy we all need in December.
Why This Drink Works (and Why It’s So Much Fun)
This drink is equal parts nostalgia + sparkle + pure holiday cheer.
Here’s the vibe:
✨ The 7UP makes it bubbly and bright.
✨ Cranberry juice adds that perfect Christmas color and a little tang.
✨ Grenadine brings the sweetness (and that pretty sunset swirl).
✨ Crushed ice because it’s superior — I don’t make the rules.
✨ Cherries for the classic Shirley Temple moment.
✨ Edible glitter… because if Buddy the Elf made drinks, he absolutely would have added glitter.
It’s sweet but not too sweet, festive without being fussy, and kid-friendly and adult-approved. (You can spike it if needed — but we’re keeping it family-friendly for the blog.)
The “Swirly Twirly” Moment
The magic happens when you pour the grenadine over the crushed ice and watch it swirl down between all the pretty ruby pockets of cranberry and bubbles. It looks like Christmas in a glass.
If you’re serving this at a party, people will literally gasp.
If you’re serving this on Christmas Eve? Buddy the Elf himself would be proud.
Fun fact: grenadine isn’t cherry-flavored like most people think — it’s actually pomegranate! Which is why it pairs so well with cranberry juice. A tiny bit of trivia to impress people with while they sip their glittery drink.
Perfect for Parties OR One-Glass Moments
I love this drink because it scales effortlessly.
Making one? Easy.
Making a giant pitcher for guests? Even easier.
You don’t need special tools or fancy ingredients — just a cute glass, some crushed ice, and enough grenadine to make everyone say “oooooh.”
When to Serve the Swirly Twirly Shirley
- Christmas Eve
- Holiday movie nights (Elf required)
- Christmas parties
- Brunch
- New Year’s Eve for the non-drinkers
- Kids’ holiday parties
- Girls’ nights
- Any night you want something sparkly, honestly
This drink tastes like joy. Like glitter. Like the soundtrack of Elf is playing in the background.
What You’ll Find Below
I included TWO versions in the recipe section:
⭐ Individual Drink Recipe
Perfect for a personal treat or a round for the family.
⭐ Party-Sized Swirly Twirly Shirley Punch
Great for Christmas Eve, gatherings, or any night you’re hosting and want something crowd-friendly, festive, and zero-effort.
Both are simple, quick, and guaranteed to make everyone smile.
Swirly Twirly Shirley: Christmas Shirley Temple
Ingredients
For One Drink
- 1 cup crushed ice
- ¾ cup 7UP
- ¼ cup cranberry juice
- 1 tbsp grenadine
- Edible glitter to taste
- Maraschino cherries for topping
For a Large Pitcher (Party Batch)
- 1 2-liter bottle 7UP
- 4 cups cranberry juice
- ¾ cup grenadine add up to 1 cup for a deeper red + sweeter flavor
- Edible glitter to taste
- Maraschino cherries for serving
- Crushed ice added to individual glasses, not the pitcher
Instructions
- Make One Drink: Fill a glass with crushed ice. Pour in the 7UP and cranberry juice. Add the grenadine to create the signature swirly twirly effect. Stir in edible glitter and top with cherries.
- Make a Large Pitcher: In a large pitcher, combine the full 2-liter of 7UP, cranberry juice, and grenadine. Stir gently. Add edible glitter until shimmery. Serve over crushed ice and top each glass with cherries.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately while bubbly and sparkly. Perfect for parties, Christmas Eve, and holiday movie nights.
