Dirty Shirley

by | Aug 22, 2025 | Cocktail Recipes

the Dirty Shirley cocktail adds vodka to the classic Shirley Temple for a fun, colorful drink that’s perfect for parties.

Prep time: 3 minutes | Servings: 1 cocktail

The Dirty Shirley cocktail is the grown-up twist on the childhood classic Shirley Temple. Made with vodka, grenadine, and lemon-lime soda, it’s sweet, nostalgic, and one of the easiest cocktails to serve at parties. We first added Dirty Shirleys to our Hamptons bachelorette lineup, and they became an instant favorite thanks to their fun, vibrant color and refreshing flavor.

About This Dirty Shirley

The Dirty Shirley is essentially a Shirley Temple with vodka. It balances the grenadine’s sweetness with crisp lemon-lime soda, making it approachable for any crowd. Whether you’re mixing them up for summer barbecues, bachelorette weekends, or just a fun throwback at home, this easy recipe always delivers.

Pro link: Planning vodka cocktails for your event? Use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator to figure out exactly how many bottles you’ll need.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz lemon-lime soda (Sprite, 7Up, or similar)
  • 1/2 oz grenadine
  • Maraschino cherry and lime wedge for garnish

Steps

  1. Fill glass: Add ice to a tall glass.
  2. Mix: Pour vodka and lemon-lime soda over ice.
  3. Add grenadine: Slowly pour grenadine, allowing it to settle at the bottom for a layered effect.
  4. Garnish: Add a maraschino cherry and lime wedge before serving.

Tips

  • Soda choice matters: Lemon-lime soda is traditional, but ginger ale adds a spicier twist.
  • Layering: Pour grenadine last for the signature red “sunset” effect in the glass.
  • Batch option: For parties, mix vodka and soda in a pitcher and let guests drizzle their own grenadine.

Variations

  • Dirty Shirley Royale: Swap soda for prosecco for a bubbly brunch version.
  • Cherry Vodka Shirley: Use cherry-flavored vodka for an extra pop of fruit.
  • Spicy Shirley: Replace soda with ginger beer for a spicier kick.

When to Serve

The Dirty Shirley is ideal for summer parties, casual happy hours, or nostalgic cocktail nights. It’s bright, sweet, and easy to sip — a great “starter cocktail” for those who prefer lighter drinks.