The Roy Rogers Drink Is the Easy Cherry Cola Mocktail Everyone Loves

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about a cold cola topped with a bright red cherry. The Roy Rogers drink takes that simple combination and turns it into a fun, family-friendly mocktail that feels a little more special than an everyday soda.

Made with just Coca-Cola, grenadine syrup, and maraschino cherries, this colorful drink takes about two minutes to put together. It’s sweet, fizzy, refreshing, and completely alcohol-free, making it an easy choice for parties, family dinners, movie nights, or a simple afternoon treat.

What Is a Roy Rogers Drink?

A Roy Rogers is a classic non-alcoholic mixed drink traditionally made with cola and grenadine. It is commonly associated with the famous American singing and acting star Roy Rogers, who was known for not drinking alcohol.

The combination became a popular soda-shop style beverage, especially during the mid-20th century. Grenadine gives the cola a beautiful ruby-red tint along with a sweet, fruity flavor. Add a couple of maraschino cherries on top, and you have a drink that looks festive without requiring any complicated ingredients.

Think of it as a cherry cola with a mocktail makeover!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This drink checks almost every box when you want something quick and fun.

• Only 3 ingredients: You don’t need a long shopping list.
• Ready in minutes: There is no cooking or complicated mixing involved.
• Family-friendly: It’s completely alcohol-free.
• Easy to customize: Adjust the grenadine to make it sweeter or lighter.
• Perfect for parties: The bright color and cherry garnish make it instantly festive.
• Kid-friendly option: Use caffeine-free cola when serving young children.
  Print

  Roy Rogers Drink

  Course Drinks

  Prep Time 2 minutes

  Total Time 2 minutes

  Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Coca-Cola chilled
  • 1 –2 tablespoons grenadine syrup adjust to taste
  • 2 maraschino cherries for garnish
  • ½ cup ice cubes or enough to fill the glass halfway

  Instructions

  1. Grab a tall glass and fill it about halfway with ice cubes. If your cola is already well chilled, you can use less ice.
  2. Pour the grenadine over the ice. Start with about 1 to 2 tablespoons, depending on how sweet and fruity you want your drink.
  3. Slowly add about 8 ounces of chilled Coca-Cola. Pouring it gently helps preserve some of those refreshing bubbles.
  4. Use a spoon to gently mix the grenadine and cola together. You don't need to stir vigorously because you don't want to lose too much carbonation.
  5. Finish with one or two maraschino cherries. Then serve immediately and enjoy!
  
  

  Easy Ways to Customize Your Roy Rogers

  One of the best things about this classic drink is how easy it is to adjust.

  Make it sweeter: Add another splash of grenadine if you love a stronger cherry-fruit flavor.

  Make it less sweet: Use a smaller amount of grenadine and plenty of ice.

  Go sugar-free: Swap regular cola for Diet Coke or Coke Zero.

  Make it caffeine-free: Choose a caffeine-free cola when preparing the drink for children or anyone avoiding caffeine.

  Try another soda: Cola is traditional, but you can experiment with Pepsi or another dark soda for a slightly different flavor.

  Make it extra festive: Add a lemon or lime wedge alongside the cherry for a colorful garnish.

  Tips for the Best Roy Rogers Drink

  Chill your cola first. A cold bottle or can of cola gives you a much more refreshing drink and means you don’t have to rely entirely on ice to cool it down.

  Don’t overdo the grenadine. It is quite sweet, so a little can go a long way. You can always add more, but you can’t take it back out.

  Add the ice just before serving. This helps prevent the drink from becoming watered down.

  Stir gently. A light stir combines the flavors while keeping the cola fizzy.

  Serve it right away. Roy Rogers drinks are at their best when freshly mixed, cold, and bubbly.

  Can You Make Roy Rogers Drinks Ahead?

  It’s best to make these drinks just before serving. The cola will gradually lose its carbonation, while the ice can dilute the flavor.

  For parties, you can make things easier by chilling the cola and grenadine ahead of time and placing the cherries nearby. Then each drink can be assembled in just a couple of minutes when guests are ready.

  A Fun Drink for Any Occasion

  You don’t need a special occasion to make a Roy Rogers. Serve one with burgers and fries for a classic diner-style meal, make a batch for a family movie night, or set up a mocktail station at a birthday party.

  Its simple ingredients also make it an excellent option when you want something festive without alcohol. Kids can enjoy a colorful drink of their own, while adults can easily customize theirs with different cola or garnish choices.

  Final Sip

  The Roy Rogers drink proves that a great mocktail doesn’t need a complicated ingredient list. Cola, grenadine, ice, and a cherry are all it takes to create a fizzy, fruity drink that looks as good as it tastes.

  With almost no prep and absolutely no cooking, this is one of those recipes worth keeping in your back pocket whenever you need a quick crowd-pleaser. Pour it cold, add that cherry on top, and enjoy a little taste of old-school soda-shop nostalgia.