I’ve been learning to make every type of mocktail—on a quest to try them all and be the best hostess ever! If you have ever loved a Shirley Temple, you will love a Roy Rogers drink.
Similar to the Shirley Temple, it’s simply a lot more fun to order a drink named after an iconic Western star than a basic cola with grenadine. I’m not saying you should order a drink just because it sounds cool, but we’ve all done it whether we admit it or not.
In this post, we’ll teach you to make your own Roy Rogers drinks at home, adding one more trophy to your shelf as the world’s best mocktail maker. It’s an easy recipe that your children and guests will love.
Related: Shirley Temple Recipe, Virgin Mojito, and Easy Homemade Grenadine.
Roy Rogers Drink – A Brief History
The Roy Rogers drink has always been an alcohol-free drink, and it’s a drink you could have ordered at an old-fashioned soda shop.
The drink was named after Roy Rogers, who was famous for his musical cowboy movies in the 1940s and 1950s. Roy Rogers didn’t drink alcohol, so it makes sense that he had a soda drink named after him.
The drink originally became famous in 1950s soda shops and in time has become an iconic mocktail to order when you want a fun drink that doesn’t contain alcohol.
Like the Shirley Temple, it’s a fun sounding drink to order to feel fancy (something my 5- and 8-year-old daughters love to do in restaurants!). Let yourself feel fancy, we say!
What is in a Roy Rogers Drink?
- Cola – I used Coca-Cola since it’s my personal baseline for cola and so delicious!
- Grenadine Syrup – You can buy grenadine syrup at many stores, and we also have an easy recipe to make your own grenadine.
- Maraschino Cherry – A must! Use one or a few.
- Ice
Bonus points if you order a “Roy Rogers with lime,” right? I like that idea.
How to Mix a Roy Rogers
Fill a cup with ice and add half an ounce of grenadine to one ounce if you want it very sweet. Top it off with cola. Stir well. Garnish with a nice bright red maraschino cherry and your work here is done. Enjoy!
Tips for Making
- To make a more balanced “adult version,” add just half an ounce of grenadine and the juice of half a lime. This will balance some of the sweetness with acidity and is delicious.
- Add fresh mint as a garnish to enhance the sensory experience of this soda drink.
- If you are dead set on turning this into a cocktail, keep the lime and add two ounces of dark rum or whiskey. I don’t think Roy Rogers would approve, but if you must, you must. We won’t judge!
Serving Suggestions/Goes Great With
Other recipes you may like:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Roy Rogers drink contain alcohol?
Nope! Roy Rogers didn’t drink alcohol and his namesake drink is a classic soda shop drink that over time has become a classic mocktail as well.
What’s in a Roy Rogers drink?
Cola, grenadine syrup, maraschino cherry, and ice.
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Learn to make a Roy Rogers—a classic mocktail drink
Instructions
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Fill a cup with ice and add half an ounce of grenadine to one ounce if you want it very sweet.
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Top it off with cola. Stir well.
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Garnish with a nice bright red maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Notes
- To make a more balanced “adult version,” add just half an ounce of grenadine and the juice of half a lime. This will balance some of the sweetness with acidity and is delicious.
- Add fresh mint as a garnish to enhance the sensory experience of this soda drink.
- If you are dead set on turning this into a cocktail, keep the lime and add two ounces of dark rum or whiskey. I don’t think Roy Rogers would approve, but if you must, you must. We won’t judge!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Roy Rogers Drink
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
