Dirty Shirley Temple Drink is a simple 4-ingredient cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, grenadine, and soda! It’s a grown up version of everyone’s favorite bubbly mocktail!

Close up photo of a dirty shirley drink in a cocktail glass on a gold coaster with maraschino cherries, oranges and decorations scattered around.

A Fun No-Fuss Drink

As a kid, whenever we went to a restaurant it was always a special treat for me to get a Shirley Temple! I absolutely LOVED the sweet bubbly beverage! As I got older, I started making them myself at home for special occasions. And as an adult, I’m all about the Dirty Shirley Temple made with vodka and triple sec!

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Rebecca’s Recipe Review

Taste: Sweet candy-like, cherry-forward.

Texture: Smooth yet bubbly and fizzy.

Ease: 2/10 No cocktail shaker or fancy bar tools are required to make this drink!

Pros: Sweet but strong, this cocktail has an appeal to a large audience, making it perfect for celebrations such as New Year’s Eve, Bridal Showers, and more!

Cons: May be too sweet for some, but that can be tamed by using club soda.

Would I Make This Again? Yes.

Dirty Shirley Cocktail Ingredients

Wondering what it is that makes a Shirley Temple dirty? In this recipe it’s the addition of vodka and triple sec! These liquors mix with the base ingredients of Grenadine (try my recipe made with real pomegranate juice) and lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite or Sierra Mist) to make a boozy version everyone will love!

Want to make the drink look extra fancy? Garnish with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry!

Ingredients to make a Dirty Shirley cocktail.

How To Make A Dirty Shirley Temple

Any bartender will know how to make a Dirty Shirley Drink, but they’re actually super simple and perfect for at-home celebrations! This sweet drink can be whipped up in just a couple of minutes, no shaker required!

Add ice to a glass and then pour in the vodka, grenadine, and triple sec. Stir together with a bar spoon.
Top with your choice of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
Garnish with an orange twist and a maraschino cherry. Enjoy!

lemon-lime-soda being poured into a coupe glass to make a dirty shirley temple cocktail.

Rebecca’s Tips

If you’re looking to cut back on the sweetness of this recipe, try using club soda instead! Some people also like to use ginger ale or ginger beer in Shirley Temples.
I wouldn’t recommend making this recipe into a large batch. Doing so will cause the soda to lose its carbonation, causing the overall beverage to have that flat soda taste. For the best taste, you’ll want to make the Dirty Shirley Drinks one by one. Which really isn’t a big deal since they come together super quickly!
Feel free to use flavored vodka in this recipe! If you really love cherry flavor, you could use cherry vodka in your Dirty Shirley Temple. Or for a little different taste, you could use vanilla vodka!

What’s The Difference Between A Classic Shirley Temple And This Dirty Shirley Temple?

The Classic Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic drink whereas this version is made with alcohol.

Check out another fun cocktail recipe:

Batanga Cocktail – A simple Mexican cocktail that’s ready in 5 minutes or less!
Red Russian Cocktail – Serve as individual cocktails or make into a large batch to fill a punch bowl!
Best Bloody Mary – Made with jalapeno-infused vodka for an extra kick of spice!
Rum Runner – An easy-to-make cocktail that’s fruity and refreshing!
New York Sour – Perfect for those that love an ultra-refreshing and sour cocktail!

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you’ve tried this recipe, please let leave a review in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos, or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there.

5 from 2 votes

Dirty Shirley Drink

Author Rebecca Hubbell

Course Beverage

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2

Total Time 2

Dirty Shirley Temple Drink is a simple 4-ingredient cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, grenadine, and soda! It's a grown up version of everyone's favorite bubbly mocktail!