Roy Rogers Drink is refreshing, fizzy and irresistible – one of my go-to mocktails since childhood. The base of this non-alcoholic drink is cola and grenadine syrup, and topped with maraschino cherries. This drink is known for its simplicity and great taste, making the perfect holiday beverage for kids as well as grown-ups!
The Roy Rogers drink was created in the 1940s, and is named after the actor and singer Roy Rogers. One of the easiest and most refreshing mocktail out there, it’s such a fun party drink for kids!
For the adult, you can turn this favorite childhood beverage into a more exciting drink by adding booze like vodka or rum, making it into a “dirty” Roy Rogers cocktail.
Roy Rogers ingredients
- Cola: You can use any kind of cola: Coke, Pepsi, or your favorite brand.
- Grenadine: I like to make my own grenadine syrup with pomegranate juice and sugar, but you can also buy it at the store.
- Ice cubes: You’ll need a lot of ice for this recipe.
- Maraschino cherries (optional): They add a dash of bright red color to the top of the drink, great for garnish.
How to make a Roy Rogers drink
Here’s the good news: Roy Rogers seems fancy, but they are truly one of the easiest mocktails to make. You’ll only need 3 ingredients (plus cherries for garnish).
First things first – find the best set of glasses for your Roy Rogers! Highball glasses work great and this beverage looks absolutely festive and amazing in these tall glasses.
- Fill the glass with ice (about 3/4 full).
- Pour in about 3/4 tablespoon of grenadine over the ice.
- Top the glass with cola. Give everything a gentle stir.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries. As many as you like!
Pro tips:
- Stirring technique: The goal is to agitate the drink as little as possible. It’s best to stir without smashing the ice to pieces. Aim to keep the spoon to the edge of the glass, and use your wrist to stir for 20-30 seconds, following the inside wall of the glass. If you don’t have a bar spoon, you can use a straw.
- Grenadine to cola ratio: You can adjust the amount of grenadine depending on the size of the cup and your personal preference. I like to mix about 1 tablespoon of grenadine with 1 cup (16 tablespoons) of cola, but feel free to use more or less if you want to.
How to make a Roy Rogers recipe with alcohol?
A twist on the traditional non-alcoholic drink, this new take on the Roy Rogers is bound to leave you wanting more. It’s the basic Roy Rogers drink mixed with vodka (or whiskey) for a refreshing and thrilling cocktail.
- Fill the glass with ice, then pour in about 2 tablespoons of vodka.
- Top the glass with cola.
- Add in about half tablespoon of grenadine (or to taste). Gently stir the mixture.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries.
How to make a Shirley Temple?
Like a Roy Rogers, a Shirley Temple drink is also a popular non-alcoholic drink for youngsters and adults. It uses lemon-lime soda or ginger ale in place of cola, but keeps the grenadine and the cherries.
Shirley Temples are as simple as Roy Rogers, but they’re caffeine free with a light beautiful color.
Where to buy grenadine?
You can find grenadine in any liquor store or some large grocery stores, but I always make homemade grenadine as it’s so easy to make with only 2 ingredients. It’s basically pomegranate juice mixed with equal amount of sugar and heated until it becomes a syrup.
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Roy Rogers Drink {the Easiest Mocktail Recipe}
Ingredients
- 2 liters Coke (6 cups) You can use other cola such as Pepsi
- 6 tablespoons grenadine store-bought or homemade* (see notes for how to make it)
- ice
- Maraschino cherries for garnish optional
Instructions
- Fill the glass with ice about 3/4 full. (I recommend using highball glass for this recipe)
- Pour in 3/4 tablespoon of grenadine over the ice.
- Top the glass with cola.
- Give everything a gentle stir. (Keep the spoon or straw to the edge of the glass, and use your wrist to stir very gently without smashing the ice to pieces. Stir for about 20-30 seconds.)
- Garnish with maraschino cherries. You can add as many as you like!
Recipe Notes
- *Homemade grenadine syrup: Use equal parts of pomegranate juice and sugar. Add the ingredients to a saucepan on medium-low heat. Gently heat the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved. DON’T BOIL the mixture. Let the syrup cool completely before using it in your drinks. See this Grenadine Recipe post for more details.
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