Dirty Shirley
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Posted: 05/22/22
Updated: 06/27/23
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Who remembers the Shirley Temple mocktail from your childhood? Now you can have it in an adult version!
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!
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What is a Shirley Temple?
It is 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.
Why this Dirty Shirley Temple Recipe Works!
- 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.
- You don’t need fancy bar tools to make it – just a few ingredients, glasses, and ice!
- It’s a 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!
- I’m also sharing substitutions you can make to put a twist on this yummy cocktail like different flavored vodkas and sodas. It’s really versatile!
Ingredients
Cherry vodka – You can also use plain vodka, but the cherry really adds a pop of flavor. I’ve also tried it with vanilla vodka and it works great!
Freshly-squeezed lime juice – Skip the bottled juice, the fresh lime juice 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 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!
Products Needed
How to Make It
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour the vodka over the ice followed by the grenadine and lime juice.
- Top the drink off with the lemon-lime soda.
- Stir and garnish with maraschino cherries and lime wedges.
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!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Dirty Shirley
Easy cocktail with all your favorite flavors of a Shirley Temple!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cherry vodka
- 1 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ cup lemon lime soda
- 2 Tablespoons grenadine syrup
- ice
- maraschino cherries and lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice then pour vodka over ice.
- Drizzle the grenadine and lime juice over the vodka ice.
- Top off the glass with lemon lime soda and stir.
- Garnish with cherries and a lime wedge.
Tips
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!
- 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.
Video
Nutrition Information
Calories: 290kcal (15%), Carbohydrates: 40g (13%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 1g (2%), Sodium: 23mg (1%), Potassium: 31mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 31g (34%), Vitamin A: 8IU, Vitamin C: 5mg (6%), Calcium: 7mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Elaine says
Such a classic with a great twist!
Liz says
This was such a fun one! We’re definitely putting this on our summer rotation. Thanks for the fun recipe!
Justine says
This was so fun! Who doesn’t love a Shirley Temple? Made grown up – even better.