Dirty Shirley

This Dirty Shirley cocktail is a mixture of grenadine, lemon-lime soda, and vodka that will bring you right back to your childhood. It’s refreshing, sweet, and the perfect drink to sip on at the end of the day! Plus, it’s just as easy as a classic Shirley Temple with just one added ingredient to give it a grown-up twist!

Who remembers the Shirley Temple mocktail from your childhood? Now you can have it in an adult version! If you want a fun and easy cocktail, this dirty Shirley recipe is for you. I love to make it when I have girlfriends over – it’s pink, fizzy, and sweet with a boozy kick.

This vodka spiked cocktail pairs wonderfully with tasty foods like loaded nachos and cheeseburger sliders. It’s the perfect party drink and great for those hot summer days. Turn your childhood favorite mocktail into the best drink of the summer!

Why this Dirty Shirley Temple Recipe Works!

• You don’t need fancy bar tools to make it – just a few ingredients, glasses, and ice to make this fun cocktail. No expert bartender skills required.
• A dirty shirley is great drink for parties because you can serve it boozy or as a non-alcoholic drink – just leave out the vodka. Everyone gets a great drink either way!
• It’s easy to make variations of this drink with a few different substitutions. Put a twist on this yummy cocktail with different flavored vodkas and sodas. It’s really versatile!

Ingredients for a Dirty Shirley

• Cherry vodka – You can also use plain vodka, but the cherry really adds a pop of flavor. I’ve also tried this dirty shirley recipe with vanilla vodka and it works great!
• Freshly-squeezed lime juice – Skip the bottled juice and use fresh lime juice instead. The flavor is so good!
• Lemon-lime soda – Sprite or 7-Up work great. You can also use ginger ale or, for a less sweet drink, try club soda or diet lemon-lime soda. I’ve even seen versions of a dirty shirley made with ginger beer!
• Grenadine syrup – This gives the cocktail a pretty ruby color and also adds flavor. It’s made with pomegranate so the flavor is sweet and tart. It’s used in lots of drink recipes like a tequila sunrise, Roy Rogers, and Malibu sunset!
• Garnishes – Dress the cocktail up with maraschino cherries and lime wedges for the finishing touch!

How to Make a Dirty Shirley

1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour two ounces of vodka over the ice, then add the grenadine and fresh lime juice to the glass.
3. Top the drink off with the bubbly lemon-lime soda.
4. Stir and garnish with maraschino cherries and lime wedges. Enjoy!

What is a Shirley Temple?

A Shirley Temple a non-alcoholic drink that is traditionally made with ginger ale and a splash of grenadine then garnished with a maraschino cherry. Sometimes it’s made with lemon-lime soda instead of ginger ale like we will use to make the “dirty” version or the alcoholic version.

It’s a popular “kiddie cocktail” when alcohol isn’t used and frequently ordered at restaurants for a kids mocktail.

Dirty Shirley Temple Cocktails for a Party

This is a fizzy drink, so if you want to make a big batch you can mix it up but plan to serve it right away. I don’t recommend leaving it in a large pitcher or punch bowl – the soda goes flat pretty quickly!

Instead, set up a cocktail bar with all of the ingredients, glasses, and ice so your guests can mix their own. This is a great way for your guests to make their own mocktail or cocktail!

Easy Substitutions

• Use vanilla vodka instead of cherry vodka to give it a smooth yummy taste.
• Mix up your soda by using club soda for a less sweet drink
• Give it a twist with Ginger Beer instead of soda. Shirley Temple turned Moscow Mule anyone?
• Make it skinny by using diet lemon-lime soda instead of regular soda.
• If you don’t have grenadine use the juice from the maraschino cherries instead.

You don’t need a special occasion to treat yourself to this dirty Shirley drink! It’s the perfect cocktail to make any time you want a refreshing and fizzy drink to sip on. Enjoy!

More Vodka Cocktail Recipes!

• Try a John Daly! It’s a boozy version of an Arnold Palmer with iced tea, lemonade, and vodka.
• Spiked Watermelon Lemonade is the perfect summer cocktail to sip on when it’s hot!
• Or try a Bay Breeze – it’s fruity, refreshing, and feels like you’re on a beach vacation!
• This Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Drink is a fun adult beverage to sip on at a summer party.