This Dirty Shirley Cocktail is the grown-up twist on a childhood favorite. Turn the classic Shirley Temple into a simple, refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for happy hour or casual get-togethers.
As a kid, a Shirley Temple felt like a special treat—tasty and a little grown-up. As an adult I still love the bright, sweet flavor, so I add vodka to make it a Dirty Shirley. It’s quick to prepare, crowd-pleasing, and easy to customize.
What’s In a Dirty Shirley
Scroll to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe.
- Sprite – or another lemon-lime soda
- Grenadine
- Maraschino cherries
- Lime
- Vodka
How To Make A Dirty Shirley
- Fill a glass with plenty of ice.
- Add grenadine, a squeeze of lime juice, and vodka.
- Top with Sprite and gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries and a lime slice, then serve.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Scale up: The recipe quantities are for one glass. To make several, prepare each glass in sequence so the soda stays fizzy.
- Don’t make ahead: Because this drink relies on carbonation, make it just before serving to keep it bubbly.
- Classic Shirley Temple: Omit the vodka for a nonalcoholic version.
- Short on grenadine: You can use a small amount of maraschino cherry juice in a pinch, though the flavor will differ slightly.
- Use plenty of ice: Start with cold ingredients and fill the glass to keep the drink chilled without watering it down too quickly.
What Vodka To Use
Choose a vodka you enjoy. Clean-tasting vodkas like Tito’s or Grey Goose work well, but any vodka you prefer will do. For extra flavor, try a cherry-flavored vodka to amplify the grenadine and cherry notes.
More Fun Drink Recipes
- Ranch Water Cocktail
- Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots
- Sonic Ocean Water
- Christmas Punch Recipe
- Cranberry Gin Cocktail
Dirty Shirley Cocktail
Rate Recipe
Ingredients
- Ice
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz grenadine
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 5 oz Sprite
- Maraschino cherries
- Slice of lime
Instructions
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Fill a glass with ice.
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Add vodka, grenadine, and lime juice.
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Top with Sprite and gently stir to combine.
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Garnish with maraschino cherries and a lime slice, then serve.
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 36g
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Sodium: 24mg
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Sugar: 29g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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