The Dirty Shirley is a grown-up version of the famous Shirley Temple cocktail and the New York Times just named this drink the new cocktail of summer. This Dirty Shirley cocktail pays homage to the child star known to complain that her namesake drink was too sweet!
Dirty Shirley
As a child, every special occasion called for a Shirley Temple. As a grown-up, that same hurt-your-teeth, sweet drink should be replaced with the Dirty Shirley, a grown-up version of the Shirley Temple cocktail. I think you’re going to love its refreshing and delicious vibe.
The 1930’s were packed with parties for the child star actress, Shirley Temple Black. It’s rumored she often complained about being surrounded by adults who were enjoying cocktails that she herself could not enjoy. A quick-thinking bartender from the famous Chasen’s Bar in Beverly Hills whipped up the famous namesake Shirley Temple drink in her honor.
Later in life, Temple admitted she did not like the drink because it was so sweet. I have to admit as a kid, the reason I loved the drink was because it was so sweet! As grown-up the Dirty Shirley is definitely where it’s at. As far as I’m concerned the Dirty Shirley ranks right up there with my lemon drop martini and cosmopolitan cocktail recipe. Try them all and decide for yourself.
Looking For More Cocktail Recipes? Try These:
- Hemingway Daiquiri ~ perfect for book club
- Icy Hibiscus Margarita
- The Best Bloody Mary Ever
What Does Dirty Shirley Mean
The dirty Shirley is a cocktail version of the famed Shirley Temple mocktail we all enjoyed as kids. So many people ask if there is a male version of the Shirley Temple. Yes there is! It’s the Roy Rogers. A Roy Roger’s drink is also non-alcoholic made with coke and grenadine syrup. I don’t think I’ve ever had one. Have you? It also sounds sickeningly sweet!
When you add alcohol to a previously known non-alcoholic drink, it makes it “dirty”.
What Flavor Is Grenadine
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It is not cherry! I thought grenadine was this neon-cherry flavored syrup. Nope! Grenadine is actually a sweet-tart syrup made with pomegranate juice and loads of sugar. It is also non-alcoholic.
All grenadine is not created equal. Now, if you’re making a kid’s Shirley Temple, use Rose’s brand or this one that we can all find at the grocery store. Your kid’s will not like the high-quality grenadine used in cocktails. Trust me, they want the yucky sweet stuff.
Here are some grenadine brands I recommend for a grown-up cocktail. They do cost a little more and can be a little harder to find. But it’s worth the effort. B.G. Reynolds’ Hibiscus Grenadine and Small Hands Food Grenadine are two of my favorites.
Ingredient List for a Dirty Shirley Cocktail
- Top shelf vodka
- fresh lime juice
- grenadine syrup
- ginger beer
- maraschino cherries or brandy soaked cherries
Don’t be the bartender who garnishes their drinks with only one cherry. As a kid it was always such a bummer to get my Shirley Temple and the stingy bartender had only added one cherry . Be generous!
How To Make A Dirty Shirley Temple Cocktail
Add all listed ingredients in a cocktail shaker, except the ginger beer. Add large ice and shake vigorously. Add ginger beer and stir or roll the cocktail shaker. You do not want to shake the ginger beer since it is carbonated. At this point I like to taste the cocktail for balance. If it’s too sweet I add more lime to taste. Strain the drink over ice and garnish with lime wedges and lots of cherries.
If you love trying new cocktails, I highly suggest giving this Hpnotiq Cocktail a try. However, don’t forget about my Best Mojito recipe, it’s amazing.
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How to Make A Dirty Shirley Cocktail
Dirty Shirley: Adult Shirley Temple
Ingredients
Dirty Shirley:
- 2.5 oz top shelf vodka such as Tito's
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz grenadine syrup
- 3 oz ginger beer
- Garnish with lime, maraschino cherries or brandy-soaked cherries
Instructions
Dirty Shirley:
- Place all ingredients (except ginger beer) into a cocktail shaker and add large ice. Shake cocktail shaker vigorously. Add ginger beer and roll the cocktail shaker once. Taste for balance, adding more lime if you prefer.2.5 oz top shelf vodka such as Tito's, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 0.25 oz grenadine syrup, 3 oz ginger beer
- Strain over fresh ice. Garnish with, maraschino cherries or brandy-soaked cherries for a more adult taste.Garnish with lime, maraschino cherries or brandy-soaked cherries
Notes
Nutrition
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Melissa Sperka says
My girlfriends LOVED this on our ladies night!
Cathy says
Yay!
Liz says
The triple cherry garnish and the complex flavors made this a hit with my book club! So good!
Cathy says
Glad to hear it!
Matty says
This Shirley temple is the best drink I ever had. Loved it.
Sommer says
These brings back memories of the old days! Such a fun drink.
Cathy says
Yep!
Julie says
I love dirty shirleys! Thanks for sharing.
Cathy says
You’re welcome.
Toni says
I really loved this idea!! Such a refreshing drink!
Cathy says
Thanks.
Lindsay Cotter says
Such a fun party drink! So refreshing!
Cathy says
Thanks.
Sam says
My favorite cocktail of all times. So good.
Cathy says
Yay!
Alex Metzroth says
I have no problem with rebranding a heavy-handed Moscow Mule, they are delicious, and the double shot of Tito’s is right up my alley. However, “dirty” already has a specific meaning in the cocktail world, and unless you’re loading up with olive brine I think this name is a miss. Maybe a Twirly Temple? Dirty doesn’t even rhyme…
Cathy says
I have to say…I seriously LOVE the name Twirly Temple!! Fitting.
Susan says
Loved every sip of this cocktail Made it a fun night.
Trina says
We made a temple for the kids and the adult version for us. They were fantastic by the way. So refreshing for summer but perfect color for the holidays too.
Cathy says
Yes for Christmas and Valentine’s Day for sure!
Paula says
We keep coming back to this recipe because we love it.
Cathy says
Have a great weekend.
Randi says
This was a super fun recipe to serve our friends! Loved it.
Cathy says
Glad it worked out.
Reba says
Totally loved them.
Cathy says
Great!
Selma says
This was a fun recipe to make for the adults. Super refreshing.
Cathy says
Awesome.
anthony says
We loved these, made them for all the holidays!
Cathy says
How fun.
lyle says
So I love making a shirley temple drink alcohol – ic. These turned out great for us!
Cathy says
Glad you enjoyed them. Cheers.
Rena in SC says
Made this dirty shirley cocktail for book club last night. They were a big hit.
Cathy says
How fun.
Keller says
Loved this dirty Shirley cocktail.
Cassie says
Make a shirley temple drink for the kids and make this dirty shirley for yourself. We really enjoyed these.
Cade says
We loved turning this shirley temple drink into a dirty shirley.
Halle says
Such a fun drink, we loved this Dirty Shirley and will continue to make it!!
Kelso says
Loved this Dirty Shirley!! What a fun cocktail for a party. It was delish.
Fred says
We made a batch of this adult shirley temple over the weekend and polished them off.
Bettie says
Tasted so good with the ginger beer..we really enjoyed these.
Kit says
Such a fun drink with the history
Regina says
What a fun cocktail this was to serve and drink. Dirty Shirley forever!
Kira says
Absolutely fantastic, loved every sip of this cocktail.
Katie says
We sure loved serving this. Everyone loved this drink.
George says
This was such a fun drink for the adults and easy enough to make some for the kids sans the alcohol.
Kelly says
Loved loved this cocktail and it was so so refreshing so extra bonus points.
lisa says
These were a fun alternative to most other cocktails.
Selia says
made these for book club and they were amazing!!
JJ says
We absolutely loved these…can’t wait to make again.
casey says
Loved your recipe for this adult shirley temple..new drink of summer.
Cela says
OMG found this from the New York Times. Perfection.
Phila says
This was so absolutely fabulous!
Bess says
This was such a fun cocktail. Going to make them all season.
Sheila says
This was amazing, we loved every sip.
Joan says
These were more of a hit than I thought. Loved them.
Pat says
Making these again on Friday night!