Love a Shirley Temple but want something a little more…adult? There’s a grown up version for that: the Dirty Shirley drink! Spike this classic kiddie cocktail with vodka, and you’ve got a boozy version of everyone’s favorite mocktail. To be sure, it’s still got all the elements of childhood fun: electric pink grenadine and bubbly ginger ale. It’s the ideal drink for a kid at heart!
What’s in a Dirty Shirley drink?
The Dirty Shirley is a vodka-spiked Shirley Temple, the famous non-alcoholic drink made with grenadine and ginger ale. The drink was invented in the 1930’s and then named after the famous actress, who herself famously called the kiddie cocktail “too sweet.” The original drink used ginger ale or ginger beer, but over time it’s become customarily made with lemon lime soda (read Sprite). How to make a Dirty Shirley drink? Add vodka to the classic, as well as a squeeze of lime to balance the flavors. Here’s what you’ll need for a Dirty Shirley:
VodkaGrenadineLime juiceGinger beer or ginger ale
How sweet is this drink?
Just like the classic Shirley Temple, the Dirty Shirley is a sweet drink. In fact, we prefer a bit more balanced drink with tart flavors in the mix. Something like a Vodka Gimlet, Vodka Mojito or Vodka Sour are more up our alley. But if you love sweet, you’ll enjoy this drink: especially if you’re a fan of grenadine!
Use purchased or homemade grenadine
What makes a Dirty Shirley drink? The grenadine! Grenadine syrup is a pomegranate-flavored bar syrup that’s used in many popular cocktails and mocktails. You can find it purchased, but often it has artificial colors or flavors. So, you can also make it homemade! Here’s what to know about purchasing grenadine:
Try homemade grenadine. The best Grenadine Syrup made at home uses pomegranate seeds to make juice, then boil it down into a syrup. You can get a decent color out of this, but it won’t be as bright as the artificial colors. Opt for a purchased all natural grenadine if you like. But keep in mind, the color will not be as bright. Most all natural grenadine is more of a muddy dark red color. What other drinks use grenadine? Try the Tequila Sunrise, Vodka Sunrise, Clover Club, Malibu Sunset, or more Grenadine Cocktails.
More highball drinks like the Dirty Shirley
The Dirty Shirley is a highball cocktail: a drink that has a larger percentage of non-alcoholic mixer to liquor! There are lots of famous highballs: here are a few related drinks you might want to try:
Grab a Shirley Temple or Roy Rodgers, the same drink made with cola Try a Tom Collins, Vodka Collins or John Collins: bubbly and tangyOpt for a Vodka Soda, Gin Soda, or Finnish Long Drink
When to serve a Dirty Shirley drink
The Dirty Shirley drink is great for serving alongside Shirley Temple mocktails for kids! (Just don’t mix them up.) It’s a bubbly and sweet cocktail, perfect for sipping as a:
Summer drinkBrunch drinkDinner party drinkSignature cocktail
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