This ’80s Soda Brand Just Released My All-Time Favorite Flavor—and I Tried It First

As someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, a Shirley Temple is my go-to order when I’m out and want a fancy-ish beverage. You just can’t go wrong with the combination of bubbly soda and grenadine, topped off with a sweet maraschino cherry. 

Whether you opt for a lemon-lime soda like Sprite (my personal favorite) or ginger ale (the go-to for 2020’s “Shirley Temple King“), the non-alcoholic drink has been around since the 1930s and continues to be a bar favorite for both drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Now, Slice Soda is tapping into the mocktail’s timeless appeal and introducing its own version of a Shirley Temple.

Slice Soda Introduces New Shirley Temple

Since Slice Soda made its comeback in 2024, the brand has introduced shoppers to a range of better-for-you sodas, including root beer and cherry cola. Its Shirley Temple is no different. Each can contains 5 grams of fiber, 35 calories, and 4 grams of sugar, plus a blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics.

“We took inspiration from the classic mocktail that’s been a favorite of the young and young at heart for generations and gave it a grown-up wellness update, starting with dramatically cutting the sugar,” said Sufa Life’s chief marketing officer, Nicole Portwood “Whether enjoyed on its own or in a healthified Dirty Shirley, we’ve also added functional benefits that truly are the cherry on top!”

The new Shirley Temple flavor is now available exclusively at Target. I got the chance to try the new drink, and here are my honest thoughts.

My Honest Review of Slice Soda’s Shirley Temple

The first thing that stuck out to me was the adorable can, which was light pink and featured the iconic Slice Soda logo. An image of a cherry replaced the dot on the “i”—a reference to the maraschino cherries that typically finish off the beverage. 

When I popped open the can and poured it over ice, the drink was the perfect shade of Shirley Temple red. Each sip tasted exactly as I expected: bubbly, sweet, and well-balanced, with a hint of lemon-lime. I loved the fizziness and how strong the grenadine flavor was. I could sip slowly and enjoy it without worrying that it would be too diluted when my ice melted. 

The best part was knowing that I could indulge in a drink that’s somewhat healthier for me (although I’m still going to enjoy my regular Shirleys when the mood hits).

If you’re in the market for a ready-to-drink version of the classic mocktail, you won’t be disappointed by Slice Soda’s take.