Classic Cocktails & Drinks With A Funky Twist

Dirty Shirley

5 from 3 votes
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Posted: 05/07/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

The Dirty Shirley cocktail takes a boozy twist on the classic Shirley Temple mocktail. The result? A fizzy and slightly fruity mixed drink that is refreshing and oh so good! This Dirty Shirley recipe is simple so you can get right to sipping.

Two glasses of Dirty Shirley drinks with ice and maraschino cherries

Made with just three ingredients, making a Dirty Shirley drink at home is quick and easy. The spiked adult version of the mocktail you enjoyed as a kid is sure to bring back memories.

What is a Dirty Shirley

A Dirty Shirley drink is a grown-up version of the classic Shirley Temple mocktail that we all enjoyed as kids. Containing the same ingredients of grenadine, lemon lime soda or ginger ale, and a maraschino cherry, the Dirty Shirley recipe adds vodka to the mix for a clean, boozy finish.

Two glasses of Dirty Shirley drinks with ice and maraschino cherries

What’s in a Dirty Shirley

One of the best parts of a Dirty Shirley cocktail is the short list of simple ingredients. It contains grenadine (a pomegranate flavored syrup), lemon lime soda, unflavored vodka, and maraschino cherries for garnish. The quality of vodka isn’t as important for this recipe as other vodka forward cocktails, so a mid-level vodka will work just fine.

man's hand pouring a bottle of grenadine into a glass of ice to make a Dirty Shirley drink recipe surrounded by maraschino cherries

How to Make a Dirty Shirley Temple

  1. Fill a glass with ice
  2. Add vodka and grenadine
  3. Top with lemon lime soda
  4. Gentley stir and garnish with a maraschino cherry
man's hand pouring cocktail jigger of vodka into a glass of Dirty Shirley ingredients surrounded by maraschino cherries
bottle of Sprite pouring into a glass of Dirty Shirley ingredients surrounded by maraschino cherries

How to Serve

Serve your Dirty Shirley drink with lots of ice in a glass tumbler. Garnish with a maraschino cherry (or two) and serve immediately to enjoy cold and to keep the bubbles fizzy and fresh.

FAQ

How many calories are in a Dirty Shirley?

There are approximately 264 calories in a Dirty Shirley drink.

What is the male version of a Shirley Temple?

The Shirley Temple Black Drink would be considered the male version. Instead of vodka, it uses dark rum to add a spicy finish.

Other Drinks with Grenadine

stir stick stirring glass of Dirty Shirley drink recipe surrounded by maraschino cherries
Two glasses of Dirty Shirley drinks with ice and maraschino cherries
5 from 3 votes

Dirty Shirley

Serves: 1 drink
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 3 minutes
Total: 3 minutes
The Dirty Shirley cocktail is a vodka spiked twist on the classic Shirley Temple. The bright red mixed drink is fizzy and refreshing.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Vodka
  • 1 ounce Grenadine
  • 4 ounces lemon lime soda ex Sprite/7up

Instructions

  • Fill a glass with ice.
  • Pour in the vodka and grenadine.
  • Top with lemon lime soda.
  • Gently stir.
  • Garnish and enjoy!
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Drinks
Two glasses of Dirty Shirley drinks with ice and maraschino cherries

Did You Make This

Dirty Shirley

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @shakedrinkrpt and hashtag it #shakedrinkrepeat!

Lisa Longley has been creating great recipes for more than a decade. While it is too hard for her to pick her favorite cocktail, she is known to love our dirty martini.

Reader Interactions

    5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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  1. Sarah W says

    I can’t wait to try this! Quick question: if I’m looking to cut back on sugar would something like Sprite Zero be a suitable switch? Thanks!

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