Dirty Shirley Cocktail: For Grown-Ups Only
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The Dirty Shirley isn’t just a grown-up version of the popular Shirley Temple drink. It’s also a refreshing cocktail that’s super easy to craft at home in just five minutes.
We may not have grown up when Shirley Temple was a Hollywood darling but we still have fond memories of the drink named in her honor. Just like the drink, our memories are simple and sweet.
When we were young, back in the 1970s, the Shirley Temple drink was something we imbibed at weddings and during family vacations. Crafted with ginger ale, grenadine and lime juice, those special occasion drinks were simultaneously sweet and tart. Plus, they had maraschino cherries added for good measure.
Color us surprised when we heard that a grown-up version called the Dirty Shirley is now a hot cocktail. Once we got that memo, it didn’t take long before we were sipping ruby red Dirty Shirleys at home.
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What Is a Dirty Shirley Cocktail?
A Dirty Shirley cocktail is a grown up version of the non-alcoholic Shirley Temple drink.
It’s a simple drink that requires just four ingredients plus ice. Like its inspiration, it’s sweet, refreshing and ridiculously easy to craft without any special equipment.
History of the Dirty Shirley
The history of the Shirley Temple dates back to the 1930s when bars looked to craft an alternative non-alcoholic drink for kids. The drink, typically made with ginger ale and grenadine, became an immediate hit that has since passed the test of time.
For later generations who may be unfamiliar, Shirley Temple was the IT child movie star of her time. She acted, danced and sang songs like On the Good Ship Lollipop. Her impressive roster of movies includes Heidi, Bright Eyes and Curly Top.
While it’s crystal clear that Shirley Temple didn’t create the drink named in her honor, nobody knows for sure who actually invented the classic mocktail. Some cocktail historians trace the Shirley Temple’s roots to bartenders at iconic Hollywood bars like Chasen’s and The Brown Derby (both now closed). Others claim it was first served at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki.
At some point, bartenders and home mixologists started playing with the ingredients and adding alcohol to the mix. It’s no dirty secret how the Dirty Shirley was born. It kind of just happened.
Ingredients
Good news! You probably already have all of the ingredients necessary to craft a Dirty Shirley at home. If not, you should be able to find the following items at a local market and/or liquor store:
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
How to Craft a Dirty Shirley
The first step in this recipe is to measure the vodka and grenadine syrup, immediately pouring each into a highball glass filled partway with ice. For this step, we use a Japanese jigger to ensure accurate measurements and avoid spillage.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Gently stir the vodka and grenadine syrup. We use a bar spoon but you can use any long spoon in your utensil drawer.
Top off the drink with lemon lime soda.
Garnish with one, two or three maraschino cherries.
Serve with or without a straw.
Variations
The Dirty Shirley just might hit your cocktail sweet spot. If not, here are a few variations which you may prefer:
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Dirty Shirley Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce grenadine
- 6 ounces lemon lime soda
- ice cubes
- 3 maraschino cherries (garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass partway with ice cubes.
- Pour vodka and grenadine into the glass. Gently stir.
- Top off with lemon lime soda.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries.
Notes
- You can use diet soda if you want to reduce the cocktail's calories.
- You can garnish with a single maraschino cherry instead of three.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
A Dirty Shirley is a Shirley Temple with vodka.
Vodka, Grenadine, Lemon-Lime Soda, Ice Cubes and Maraschino Cherries (Garnish)
The Dirty Shirley is stirred, not shaken.
We like to serve this cocktail in a highball glass and you should do the same.
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