Dirty Shirley Temple (Cocktail or Mocktail)

1 cocktail
5 min

The Dirty Shirley Temple is is your perfect summer cocktail. It’s an adult version of the classic mocktail spiked with vodka and lightly sweetened with grenadine or cherry juice.

I love colorful summer cocktails and a Dirty Shirley with it’s beautiful pink hue fits that bill perfectly. Make it the perfect sweetness for your taste by adjusting the amount of grenadine to your liking, and add a squeeze of lemon or lime to give it a little punch of tartness. More refreshing, colorful cocktails to make this summer: Midori Sour, Watermelon Martini, or Blue Hawaiian.

This mocktail turned cocktail is incredibly easy to make. Simply add the vodka, grenadine, and lemon-lime soda to a highball glass filled with ice, then stir to combine. Top with maraschino cherries and a lemon or lime wheel for garnish.

Legend has it that the classic Shirley Temple mocktail was invented for the famous actress by a bartender when she felt left out at a party. All the adults had their drinks, so he made her a special “cocktail” from kid-friendly ingredients behind the bar.

Ready to make an adult version of this classic mocktail?


FAQs:

What liquor is in a Dirty Shirley Cocktail?While vodka is the traditional choice, you’ll also find some recipes use silver rum or even gin. Use what you like to drink.

Is grenadine cherry juice?While many bars use grenadine to sweeten a Shirley Temple drink, grenadine is actually derived from pomegranate rather than cherries.


Dirty Shirley Ingredients:

  • Vodka: I used plain vodka, but you could also use cherry vodka for extra cherry flavor.
  • Lemon-lime soda: Sprite or 7-Up are classics.
  • Grenadine: Adds the sweetness to this cocktail. Use more or less depending on your taste.
  • Maraschino Cherry: The classic garnish for a Shirley Temple.
  • Lemon or lime wheel: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice balances the sweetness in this cocktail.


Ingredient Tip:


  • Since you're probably buying a jar or maraschino cherries, you can use the cherry juice in place of the grenadine.


Dirty Shirley Drink Recipe:

This simple cocktail is layered right in a highball glass.


  1. Fill the glass with ice, then pour in the vodka. Add grenadine, then top off with lemon-lime soda.
  2. Serve as is for a layered look, or stir to combine all ingredients.
  3. Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry.
Add vodka to a highball glass filled with ice.
Pour in grenadine.
Top with lemon-lime soda.
Stir and add garnish if desired.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Try using ginger ale or ginger beer to add a bit of a kick to this cocktail.
  • To make the classic mocktail, simply omit the vodka.
  • Mix up a big batch in a punch bowl or pitcher to serve at a party.

Inspired Fresh Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. Thank you for supporting Inspired Fresh Life.


Ingredient Substitutions and Variations:

  • Lemon-lime soda: Try using tonic, ginger ale, ginger beer, or club soda for a different flavor profile.
  • Grenadine: You can also use the cherry juice from the jar of maraschino cherries.
  • Lemon: Lime will also work. Use whichever you prefer.
  • Vodka: A cherry flavored vodka will amp up the sweetness.


Recipe Notes:

  • Highball glasses are frequently used for mixed drinks that contain a larger proportion of mixers than will fit into a typical rocks glass.


Did you make this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card and/or a review in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Are you following along on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook?


Pin this Recipe for Later:

Dirty Shirley Temple (Cocktail or Mocktail)
Recipe details
  • 1  cocktail
  • Prep time: 5 Minutes Cook time: 0 Minutes Total time: 5 min
Show Nutrition Info
Hide Nutrition Info
Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • ½ ounce grenadine
  • 4 ounces lemon lime soda
  • Optional garnishes: lemon wheel, cherries
Instructions

Fill a highball glass with ice, then pour in the vodka. Add grenadine, then top off with lemon lime soda.
Serve as is for a layered look, or stir to combine all ingredients.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry.
Tips
  • Ingredient Substitutions and Variations:
  • Lemon-lime soda: Try using tonic, ginger ale, ginger beer, or club soda for a different flavor profile.
  • Grenadine: You can also use the cherry juice from the jar of maraschino cherries.
  • Lemon: Lime will also work. Use whichever you prefer.
  • Vodka: A cherry flavored vodka will amp up the sweetness.
Inspired Fresh Life
Want more details about this and other recipes? Check out more here!
Go
Comments
  • Slu32271826 Slu32271826 on Jun 05, 2022

    I used to order this in the 80’s as a Drunk Shirley Temple in Cali

  • Judy Judy on Jun 05, 2022

    Most of us have found memories of getting a Shirley Temple has a kid... But I think the grown up Dirty Shirley is a hoot!! Why have I never thought of this?? You made me giggle, thanks!

Next