Dirty Shirley Cocktail

I’ve made hundreds of Shirley drinks in my life, both non-alcoholic Shirley Temples and vodka-infused Dirty Shirleys. I’ve mastered the perfect ratio of mixers-to-alcohol so you don’t have to experiment, you can just start pouring and enjoying!

I’ve also included all my best tips and tricks for a “skinny” version, big-batch cocktails perfect for parties, and the difference between grenadine and cherry juice. They aren’t the same!

Dirty Shirleys are a great choice for parties because you can easily leave out the booze for a family-friendly version. Everyone loves the festive color and fizzy texture, and nothing could be easier to make.

Dirty Shirley Drink Ingredients

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

• Vodka: Use plain vodka or substitute a cherry-flavored brand such as Smirnoff, Three Olives, Svedka, Pinnacle, UV, or Skyy. Grenadine is not made from cherries, but the flavor works.
• Grenadine. A deep red, pomegranate-flavored syrup.
• Soda: White soda such as Sprite or 7UP is common. For a more traditional approach, substitute ginger ale (you could add a splash of orange juice, too).
• Cocktail Glass: I love using these elevated Old Fashioned glasses from Marquis by Waterford. They’re $60 on Amazon, but you can also check out some of my other favorite cocktail glasses.
• Maraschino Cherries
• Ice

How to make a Dirty Shirley

• Fill a glass with ice, then add 2 ounces (¼ cup) vodka and 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) grenadine. Top with soda, then garnish with a maraschino cherry.

How to Make Soda

If you want to make your own Sprite or 7UP-like soda, I love using my SodaStream E-Terra to do so! It comes with three different carbonation levels, so you can create the perfect amount of fizziness for your Dirty Shirley. It’s my favorite soda maker, and you can get it on Target for $139.99.

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield: This recipe makes one cocktail.
• Skinny: Use diet lemon-lime soda in place of the regular.
• Shirley Temple: The classic version is made without vodka.
• Cherry juice: It’s not the same as grenadine, but using the maraschino cherry juice from the jar tastes good too (and also makes a pink drink).
• Dirty Shirley Punch, makes a batch of 8 (6-ounce) cocktails:
  • 2 cups vodka
  • 1 cup grenadine
  • 4 cups lemon-lime soda
  • 8 maraschino cherries.

1. In a large pitcher or bowl, add vodka and grenadine and stir to combine. Carefully stir in lemon-lime soda.
2. Fill individual glasses with ice and top with 6 ounces Dirty Shirley Punch. Garnish with a cherry.

More tasty cocktails to try

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Brandy Old Fashioned

Dirty Shirley Drink

By Meggan Hill

A Dirty Shirley cocktail is the grown-up version of your favorite mocktail, the Shirley Temple. Made with grenadine and lemon-lime soda, it has the same fruity taste you love along with a kick from vodka.

Prep Time 1 minute min

Total Time 1 minute min

Servings 1 cocktail

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Calories 253

5 from 86 votes

ReviewPrint

Equipment

• Lowball Glasses (These square ones are SO pretty)

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ Ice
• ▢ 2 ounces vodka (see note 1)
• ▢ 1 ounce grenadine (see note 2)
• ▢ 4 ounces lemon-lime soda (see note 3)
• ▢ Maraschino cherries for garnish, optional

Instructions 

• Fill a glass with ice, then add 2 ounces (¼ cup) vodka and 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) grenadine. Top with soda, then garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Recipe Video

Notes

1. Vodka: Use plain vodka or substitute a cherry-flavored brand such as Smirnoff, Three Olives, Svedka, Pinnacle, UV, or Skyy. Grenadine is not made from cherries, but the flavor works.
2. Grenadine. A deep red, pomegranate-flavored syrup.
3. Soda: White soda such as Sprite or 7UP is common. For a more traditional approach, substitute ginger ale (you could add a splash of orange juice, too).
4. Yield: This recipe makes one cocktail.
5. Skinny: Use diet lemon-lime soda in place of the regular.
6. Shirley Temple: The classic version is made without vodka.
7. Cherry juice: It’s not the same as grenadine, but using the maraschino cherry juice from the jar tastes good too (and also makes a pink drink).
8. Dirty Shirley Punch, makes a batch of 8 (6-oz.) cocktails:
   1. 2 c. vodka
   2. 1 c. grenadine
   3. 4 c. lemon-lime soda
   4. 8 maraschino cherries.

1. In a large pitcher or bowl, add vodka and grenadine and stir to combine. Carefully stir in lemon-lime soda.
2. Fill individual glasses with ice and top with 6 oz. Dirty Shirley Punch. Garnish with a cherry.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 253kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 1gSodium: 20mgSugar: 25g

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