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A Nerd Cooks » Non-Alcoholic

Roy Rogers Drink

Feb 28, 2022 by Lauren Pacek · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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A Roy Rogers Drink is a classic mocktail made up of cola and grenadine. Since it's non-alcoholic, it's totally kid-friendly. But I have a feeling that the adults will love this drink, too!

Looking for other non-alcoholic drink recipes? Try my Blueberry Lemonade or Cookies and Cream Milkshake!

45 degree angle view of a glass full of roy rogers drink
Jump to:
  • 🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • 💭 What is a Roy Rogers Drink?
  • 🤠 Who was Roy Rogers?
  • 📝 What's in a Roy Rogers Drink?
  • 🔀 Substitutions or Variations
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 How do you make it?
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🔗 Other family- and kid-friendly drinks
  • ✨ Recipe

🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's so easy to make. All you have to do is pour a couple of ingredients into a glass over ice!
It's sweet and delicious. Cola + grenadine = sweet and tasty.
It can be made into a cocktail, if desired. Add a shot of vodka if you'd prefer a cocktail instead of a mocktail.

💭 What is a Roy Rogers Drink?

A Roy Rogers Drink is a non-alcoholic mixed drink (sometimes called a "mocktail") named after the actor and singer Roy Rogers.

It's a sweet concoction that's somewhat similar to another famous mocktail, the Shirley Temple.

This is a sweet and satisfying sip. The kiddos will like it because it's sweet. Plus the addition of grenadine and a maraschino cherry make plain cola feel downright fancy. And the adults will like it, too, because it tastes good, of course. Plus, if the big kids feel the need to make this into an adult beverage, all one would need to do is add a shot of vodka or other liquor into the mix.

🤠 Who was Roy Rogers?

The man, the myth, the legend... But no, really. Who is Roy Rogers? I didn't know who he was (let alone if he was a real, actual person) when I first discovered this drink. I had to do a bit of googling. Here's what I learned:

Roy Rogers was an American singer and actor, often starring in Westerns, who was known as the"King of the Cowboys." He even had his own radio, and later television, show that was aptly titled The Roy Rogers Show. In his later years, he also lent his moniker to the chain of Roy Rogers restaurants.

📝 What's in a Roy Rogers Drink?

Just two ingredients! Well, three if you include the garnish.

  • Grenadine: Grenadine is a sweet pomegranate-flavored bar syrup. Many people mistakenly think that grenadine is cherry-flavored. Nope, it's pomegranate! Try to find a good quality grenadine or make your own grenadine at home.
  • Cola: Coke would be a natural choice here. I prefer MexiCoke (Mexican Coca Cola) because it's made with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup (like the Coke that's made in the U.S.). You can't miss it, as it's sold in glass bottles. We tend to find ours at Costco.
  • Maraschino cherry: Just because we're making a mocktail doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to make the drink look as pretty as possible, right?

🔀 Substitutions or Variations

  • Swap lemon lime soda for the cola. Make yourself a delicious Shirley Temple!
  • Make it a cocktail. Add a shot of vodka or other spirit of choice and make a cocktail. Think of it like the cola-laden cousin of the Dirty Shirley.

👩🏻‍🍳 How do you make it?

a tall glass full of ice.

Step 1. Fill a tall glass with ice.

45 degree angle view of glass with ice and grenadine.

Step 2. Pour grenadine into the glass.

Coke being poured into a tall glass with ice and grenadine.

Step 3. Top everything off with cola.

45 degree angle view of a hand, holding a bar spoon, stirring a roy rogers drink.

Step 4. Give the drink a gentle stir.

45 degree angle view of a glass full of roy rogers drink.

Step 5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

❓ Recipe FAQs

Can I use diet cola in this recipe?

Sure, if you like. If the sugar content is a concern (e.g., if you have diabetes), you can also seek out a sugar-free grenadine.

What makes this different than a Shirley Temple?

A Shirley Temple uses lemon lime soda, whereas a Roy Rogers uses cola. Other than that, they're pretty much the same!

Can this be turned into a cocktail?

Sure can! I mentioned that you could toss a shot of vodka into this drink, if you so desired, but feel free to use whatever liquor you fancy.

a glass full of a roy rogers drink in the foreground, another in the background along with two glass bottles of coke

🔗 Other family- and kid-friendly drinks

On the lookout for other delicious and fun non-alcoholic drinks? Check these out:

  • a glass of sous vide eggnog garnished with whipped cream and nutmeg.
    Sous Vide Eggnog
  • two stemless wine glasses full of sorrel drink.
    Sorrel Drink
  • 2 ginger pear holiday mocktails in short glasses, garnished with a slice of pear and sprig of rosemary.
    Ginger Pear Holiday Mocktail
  • a glass of iced pumpkin cream chai tea latte.
    Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte

✨ Recipe

45 degree angle view of a glass full of roy rogers drink.

Roy Rogers Drink

Lauren Pacek
A Roy Rogers Drink is a classic mocktail made up of cola and grenadine. Since it's non-alcoholic, it's totally kid-friendly. But I have a feeling that the adults will love this drink, too!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Additional Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 2 minutes mins
Course Non-Alcoholic
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 124 kcal

Equipment

  • Cocktail jigger
  • Bar spoon
  • Mexican Coca Cola
  • Reusable straws

Ingredients
  

  • 0.5 ounces grenadine
  • 6 ounces cola
  • maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Pour the grenadine into a tall glass filled with ice.
  • Top with cola and stir gently.
  • Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Notes

  • You can make this a cocktail by adding a shot of vodka

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 124kcalCarbohydrates: 31gSodium: 10mgSugar: 27g

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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I love it when you share my recipes!

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Hi, I'm Lauren! I'm the recipe developer, photographer, and writer here at A Nerd Cooks. I'm a 30-something wife, mom, and scientist with a passion for mixing cocktails, brewing buzzy coffee drinks, and making other delicious beverages at home.

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