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The Dirty Shirley is a fun, grown-up twist on the classic Shirley Temple. Made with vodka, grenadine, and lemon-lime soda, it’s sweet, refreshing, and incredibly easy to mix. Whether you’re looking for a simple cocktail to enjoy at home or a festive drink for a small gathering, this bright and bubbly classic is always a great choice!
Looking for more single serving cocktail recipes? Try our refreshing Ranch Water, minty Mint Julep, vibrant Aperol Spritz, colorful Tequila Sunrise, or fruity Sangria.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Made with just three ingredients, plus optional cherries for garnish.
- Great for Any Occasion: Refreshing for summer and festive for the holidays with its bright red color.
- Easy to Scale: Double or triple the recipe to serve more guests.
A Dirty Shirley is the perfect way to bring a little nostalgia into a grown-up cocktail. As a kid, I loved sipping on Shirley Temples at parties with my parents, feeling fancy with my fizzy red drink and extra cherries.
Now, this playful twist on the classic takes me right back—but with a little something extra. It’s just as sweet and refreshing as the original, but with vodka for a grown-up kick. Whether you’re mixing up drinks for a celebration or just want something fun and easy, this cocktail is always a hit!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this Dirty Shirley recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Vodka: Use plain vodka for this cocktail.
- Grenadine: A sweet and tart red syrup that adds flavor and color.
- Lemon-lime soda: Sprite or 7UP work well, but ginger ale is a great alternative. A no-sugar version works too.
Recipe Variations
Customize your Dirty Shirley with these easy swaps:
- Dirty Shirley with Ginger Ale: Swap lemon-lime soda for ginger ale for a spicier cocktail.
- Tart Dirty Shirley: Add fresh lemon juice for a more tart and refreshing flavor.
- Less Sweet Dirty Shirley: Use sparkling water instead of soda for a lighter drink.
- Shirley Temple Black: Substitute vodka with dark rum for bolder flavor.
How To Make A Dirty Shirley
For exact measurements and detailed instructions, check the recipe box below.
Pour the vodka into a tall glass, then add the grenadine. Fill the glass with plenty of ice, then top it off with lemon-lime soda. Stir well to combine, and if you’d like, garnish with cherries before serving.
Expert Tips
- Stir gently before drinking to mix the flavors.
- Use any lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite, 7UP, Fresca, or Sierra Mist.
- Adjust the grenadine to your taste for more or less sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just leave out the vodka for a classic Shirley Temple.
Replace the soda with sparkling water or add a splash of fresh lemon juice.
Yes! Simply scale up the ingredients and serve in a pitcher.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this Dirty Shirley drink or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Dirty Shirley For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
- Tall glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce grenadine
- ice
- 4 ounces lemon-lime soda
- Optional: maraschino cherries, lime slice
Instructions
- Pour the vodka into a tall glass.
- Add the grenadine.
- Fill the glass with plenty of ice.
- Pour in the lemon-lime soda. Stir well to combine.
- Garnish with cherries and a slice of lime, if desired.
Notes
- Stir gently before drinking to mix the flavors.
- Use any lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite, 7UP, Fresca, or Sierra Mist.
- Adjust the grenadine to your taste for more or less sweetness.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
HA HA HA My sister’s name is Shirley. Guess what she is going to be served this Saturday evening at our twice monthly get together. Rose
This looks fantastic, I love using nips for single drinks.
Good recipe.