A Dirty Shirley Drink (or Dirty Shirley Temple) is a grown up version of the classic Shirley Temple mocktail. All you have to do is add some vodka to the usual grenadine, lemon lime soda, and maraschino cherry. You're sure to fall in love with this fun cocktail.
It's still the same pretty, sweet drink you remember from childhood, just a bit more grown up! All you need to do is gather a handful of good ingredients, pour them into a glass, and start sipping on this Dirty Shirley cocktail. They're guaranteed crowd pleasers for the adults and kids-at-heart (but not the actual kids, naturally). In 2022, the New York Times called this the "drink of the summer," but I think it's still going strong today!
Looking for more drinks made with vodka? Check out my Vodka Collins, Vodka Sour, or Espresso Martini!
Jump to:
🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
It's delicious. It tastes great. It's as simple as that.
It's easy to make. This drink is also SO easy to make! You can do this!
It will invoke some nostalgia. This drink takes a childhood favorite and turns it into something that the adults will love, too.
💭 What is a Dirty Shirley Drink?
You're probably all familiar with the classic mocktail the Shirley Temple, right? It's the drink named after the child star (Shirley Temple, duh) that's made with lemon lime soda (or ginger ale), grenadine, and a maraschino cherry for garnish.
One origin story purports that the Shirley Temple was invented in a Hollywood bar so that the bartender could serve the child actress Shirley Temple a non-alcoholic drink. According to what I read on Wikipedia, Shirley Temple denies this story, and in fact, hates the drink!
But anyway, to make a Dirty Shirley Temple, or just Dirty Shirley, you simply add a shot of vodka (or a touch more) to the drink. That's it!
📝 Ingredients
Just a handful of simple ingredients. Check 'em out in the photo and the list below. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Vodka: This recipe calls for plain vodka. Since it's a mixed drink, there's no need to go too crazy in terms of quality (don't break out the Belvedere for this one). BUT do make sure that you're using something that's good. Think... Smirnoff or Pinnacle. Something in that range.
- Grenadine syrup: Grenadine is a non-alcoholic bar syrup. It is a deep red color, and is sweet and a bit tart. It's traditionally made from pomegranates. Fun fact: The French word for pomegranate is grenade! Grenade --> grenadine.
- Lemon-lime soda: I usually use Sprite, but have used generic, store brand sodas without noticing any difference.
- Garnishes: Though garnishes are technically optional, I think that you are basically obligated to toss some real cherries (maraschino, naturally) into a Dirty Shirley. Add a wedge of lime for good measure, too.
🔀 Substitutions or Variations
- Use flavored vodka. The classic version calls for plain vodka, but you could definitely up the flavor by using a cherry vodka or pomegranate vodka.
- Use juice from a jar of maraschino cherries. No grenadine on hand? No problem. Just use a little juice from a jar of maraschino cherries. It's not exactly the same, but it'll do the trick.
- Tinker with the proportions. Feel free to adjust the amount of grenadine or vodka, depending on your preferences.
👩🏻🍳 How to make an Alcoholic Shirley Temple
Honestly, I'm not sure that it could be much simpler. This cocktail is built entirely in the glass from which you'll drink it, meaning that there's no shaking involved.
You'll start by adding your vodka and grenadine to a tall glass (lots of ice, please). Top that off with soda and some garnishes, and voila!
Sip away and enjoy this sweet and fun Shirley Temple with alcohol.
❓ Recipe FAQs
They use the same ingredients EXCEPT a Dirty Shirley has a couple of ounces of vodka.
The original recipe calls for plain vodka, but sure! If you go that route, I'd recommend maybe using a cherry vodka.
Yeah! Take all of the ingredients (minus the soda), multiply it out by however many servings you want to make, and put them in a pitcher. Stir to combine, and add the corresponding amount of lemon lime soda just before serving.
I know, I have a whole post on Homemade Luxardo Cherries. And I routinely advocate for using those in cocktails instead of the ones you commonly find in stores. HOWEVER, for this drink, I definitely recommend seeking out the neon colored Marashino cherries. It's traditional, and no other option would work as well here.
🔗 Other vodka cocktail recipes
Looking for more vodka cocktail recipes? Of course you are! Check out the photos below to find some new favorites. Cheers!
I'd love to know what you thought of this recipe! Don't forget to leave a comment and ⭐️ star rating below!
✨ Recipe
Dirty Shirley Drink
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce grenadine
- 4 ounces lemon lime soda
- maraschino cherries and lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Add the vodka and grenadine to a tall glass with ice.
- Top with lemon lime soda.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and lime wheel, if desired.
Notes
- Use store bought or homemade grenadine syrup.
- Use your favorite lemon lime soda; I used Sprite.
- Not a fan of vodka? Substitute some light rum for a different spin on this cocktail.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
Thomas Kranakro
shirley temple should be with Sprite or 7 Up. not ginger ale.
Lauren Pacek
Hi Thomas. The recipe calls for a lemon lime soda (I used Sprite). Though it's less common, you can use ginger ale in place of the lemon lime soda, if that's your preference.
Ashley
So fun!
Tracy L Shearer
Sounds refreshing can't wait to try this one
laurenpacek
Thanks, Tracy! I hope you love it!