Dirty Shirley Cocktail

Some say the Dirty Shirley cocktail is the drink of summer. It can't hurt to find out. Try this grown up version of a Shirley Temple and see for yourself!

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy here.

If you're feeling nostalgic and want a fizzy, unfussy drink that's just plain FUN, try a Dirty Shirley cocktail! It's no kiddie cocktail, but it might make you feel like a kid again!

Based on a Shirley Temple, that bright and bubbly beverage we all loved growing up, the Dirty Shirley adds a shot of alcohol to suit your discerning adult tastes.

Jump to:

• Drink a Dirty Shirley cocktail for some delicious, campy fun! It's low in alcohol, and so easy to make!
• Ingredients you'll need
• How to make a Dirty Shirley Cocktail
• Tips and tricks
• When to serve a Dirty Shirley Cocktail
• Dirty Shirley cocktail variations and substitutions
• More summery cocktail recipes
• Recipe

Drink a Dirty Shirley cocktail for some delicious, campy fun! It's low in alcohol, and so easy to make!

• Easy to make with just four ingredients and no elaborate bartending skills required.
• Low in alcohol for a cocktail—about 8% ABV, which is a little higher than an average craft beer and a little lower than an average glass of wine.
• This drink does not have any high-end, fancy ingredients and that is absolutely the point. It's a little low-brow, tongue-in-cheek, wink and a nudge, and we like it like that!
• It's nostalgic, completely un-serious, and a fabulous color!

Ingredients you'll need

• Vodka: Choose a favorite brand, but maybe one that's not so expensive. You'll be covering it with sticky sweet flavors, so no need to go big.
• Grenadine syrup: Contrary to popular belief, grenadine is not cherry syrup, it's actually (supposed to be) pomegranate flavored.
• Lemon-lime soda
• Maraschino cherries

How to make a Dirty Shirley Cocktail

Step 1: Prep and pour

Fill a high ball glass with ice. Pour in vodka and lemon-lime soda.

Step 2: Make it pretty and garnish!

Add grenadine and top with a cherry. It's important to do things in this order, see tips below.

Tips and tricks

• Add the grenadine last. It's heavier than the other liquids so if you add it first, it will just stay on the bottom. Adding it last will ensure it distributes throughout the drink as it falls.
• Make sure all the ingredients are cold before you mix to minimize dilution when poured over the ice. Your fizzy soda will stay fizzy longer if it's already cold.
• Serve in chilled or even frozen glasses! This will ensure that the taste stays crisp and refreshing, and not overly sugary.

When to serve a Dirty Shirley Cocktail

Yes, we want to drink a Dirty Shirley all summer long at every opportunity.

• Serve them poolside!
• Perfect for backyard barbecues.
• The ideal color for a 4th of July drink!
• So much fun for girls night cocktails.

Dirty Shirley cocktail variations and substitutions

Try these ideas to make a Dirty Shirley cocktail that you can put your own spin on.

• Swap out the lemon-lime soda for ginger beer or ginger ale.
• Make it with gin instead of vodka!
• Try flavored vodkas or gins for a twist.
• Use fancy amarena cherries in place of maraschino cherries.
• If you can't find grenadine, use the syrup in the cherry jar.
• Want to make it a skinny cocktail? Try it with sugar-free soda or club soda.

More summery cocktail recipes

• An Old Cuban Cocktail is my summer go-to when temperatures soar.
• Switch to a Campari and Soda when you want to go from sweet to bitter, but still have a pretty, fizzy drink.

Recipe