Sipping a Dirty Shirley during summers comes like a breath of fresh air. It is the perfect drink to beat the heat and can amplify the grandeur of your pool parties.
Dirty Shirley is a new recipe in town that’s been around for a while. It’s just another version of Shirley Temple that was your favorite as a kid. There’s always time to sip on Dirty Shirley; the grown-up version of Shirley Temple.
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What is Dirty Shirley
Shirley Temple is a popular mocktail named after the famous Hollywood actress of the 20th century. It is a sweet, red, and non-alcoholic drink with ginger ale, grenadine, and maraschino cherries. But it can turn into an adult drink (Dirty Shirley), when you add alcohol to it.
So, Dirty Shirley is a refreshing cocktail made with lemon-lime soda, a splash of grenadine, and vodka. The grenadine is responsible for the reddish-pink color that attracts people. It is typically served over ice, garnished with maraschino cherries and lime slices.
The origin story of Dirty Shirley
Shirley Temple was a popular Hollywood child actress who acted during the 1930s. She was known for her innocent and sweet persona. In addition to her acting career, she is remembered for the signature non-alcoholic cocktail, ‘Shirley Temple.’
It was first served at her birthday party and quickly became a popular item at the bars. Rumor has it that the actress didn’t like the drink, though it later managed to make good impressions on the customers.
The same origin story of the drink still needs to be clarified. Quite a few different stories are commonly associated with the creation of Dirty Shirley.
One story goes that a bartender once wanted to prepare an adult version of the Shirley Temple for his customers. He decided to add some vodka instead of some lemon-lime soda and grenadine syrup. People instantly liked the drink, and became famous as the Dirty Shirley.
Indeed, this particular cocktail’s origin story still needs to be clarified. But that hasn’t stopped it from becoming one of the most beloved classics in the world of cocktails.
Over the years Dirty Shirley has undergone a few variations and adaptations. Some bartenders add different fruit juices to it, while some use different types of soda. Even some add sparkling wine instead of lemon-lime soda. However, the basic recipe remains the same while the drink continues to win people over.
Whether on a summer day or a night out with friends, a glass of Dirty Shirley will never disappoint you. You can also customize the recipe according to your preferences. This way, the recipe would get a personal touch from you.
There’s indeed something special about this mocktail. But you don’t need to take our word for it. Check out this article to see what all the fuss is about.
Dirty Shirley recipe
By now you have read so much about it but need help making the drink at home. Don’t worry, I have you covered!
Dirty Shirley recipe is a drink that will remind you of your childhood. You would want to avoid meddling with authenticity as it is always perfect. Also, it would help if you balanced right between the grande line and the lime juice.
This is a drink that is perfect for those who like sweet cocktails. To make the drink more delicious, you must try adding different ingredients. You can include a splash of orange juice to make it your own. Here’s a recipe to make your very own Dirty Shirley:
Ingredients
- Vodka
- Lemon lime soda
- Grenadine syrup
- Maraschino cherries
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes
- Add vodka to the glass
- Put lemon lime soda into glass
- Add Grenadine syrup to the glass
- Stir all the ingredients together
- Serve and enjoy the amazing taste
- Garnish the cocktail with one or two maraschino cherries
Dirty Shirley drink is a versatile cocktail you can enjoy anywhere anytime. It is a great drink to serve at parties, and it’s also great to provide some relief from summer’s heat. When looking for something easy to prepare yet delicious to taste, this cocktail can save the day!
What alcohol is in a dirty shirley
Now, the question is what alcohol is in a Dirty Shirley recipe?
Most of the time, Dirty Shirley is made with plain vodka, while other ingredients are also used. It can be made with bourbon whisky, which gives the cocktail its distinct flavor and character. You can also use lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of grenadine syrup.
The lemon juice provides a tart and refreshing balance to the sweetness of grenadine. The simple syrup adds a touch of sweetness to the cocktail as well.
If you want to stick to vodka for your Dirty Shirley recipe, go for flavored vodka. You can choose vanilla vodka, cherry vodka, or whipped vodka to get extra flavor. However, what kind of vodka you are using matters the most. It’s important to choose one that complements the other ingredients as well.
If you are using flavored vodka, plenty of different flavors are available. These different flavors include berry, citrus, and chocolate. Using flavored vodka adds an extra layer of complexity to the cocktail and helps to enhance the flavor of grenadine syrup.
When it comes to spiced vodka, it is infused with herbs and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, which add a warm flavor to the drink. You can also use infused vodka that comes with a variety of ingredients like herbs and fruits.
If you are still wondering how much vodka you need to add, it’s entirely up to you. If you like to drink something strong, then add more vodka. You can go for a splash in case you need a soft drink.
It would help if you remembered that the more vodka you add, the more flavor the other ingredients will fade away. So, keep this in mind next time you prepare a Dirty Shirley.
However, it would help if you made tough choices on what you will add to your Dirty Shirley. Whether you prefer the original version or one of the variations, such a drink will surely satisfy you.
Dirty Shirley Temple with Sprite
Dirty Shirley Temple with Sprite is an easy cocktail that tastes fun. If you want to add a bit of booze to your drink while still enjoying the freshness of it, this drink is perfect for you. This section will teach you how to make a Dirty Shirley Temple with Sprite.
To make this sweet beverage, you will need some simple ingredients easily available in the markets. Here is the list of the ingredients and how you make it perfect.
Ingredients
- Vodka
- Grenadine
- Sprite
- Maraschino cherries
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Start filling a highball glass with ice cubes
- Add the vodka and grenadine to the glass
- Stir until well mixed
- Add the sprite to the mix and stir well
- Garnish it with a few maraschino cherries, and your drink is ready
One of the amazing aspects of this drink is that you can prepare it just as you like. If you prefer something stronger to drink, add more vodka. On the other hand, if you want something sweeter to drink, then add some more grenadine.
You also have the privilege to add less grenadine in case you don’t like sweet drinks.
What if you want to get creative with your Dirty Shirley Temple with Sprite? There are indeed some options that you can try.
You can substitute the Sprite with ginger ale to flavor the drink differently. You can also experiment with different kinds of vodka, such as flavored or spiced, to add a unique taste.
Another important aspect is that you need to use high-quality ingredients. High-quality ingredients will make your drink special, while low-quality ingredients won’t give you the ultimate taste. Additionally, try to use a grenadine made with real pomegranate juice to get an authentic flavor.
Dirty Shirley drink with rum
Did you know you can prepare an excellent Dirty Shirley drink with rum? Well, for your kind information, it’s possible. How? Read below to learn more.
Dirty Shirley drink comes in many variations, which you must try at least once. If you want to bring a tropical twist to your new favorite drink, add more rum to it than anything else.
A classic Dirty Shirley cocktail is usually made with vodka, but you can use some other types of cocktail. In this section, we will talk about how to make Dirty Shirley drink with rum.
Dirty Shirley with rum is one popular variation that gives the drink a slightly different flavor. Not all of you like vodka as much as the others. If you and rum have a very long history, go for this one, and you’ll love it.
To make a Dirty Shirley with rum, you’ll need a few ingredients — rum, lemon-lime soda, and grenadine. For garnishing, you’ll also need some maraschino cherries, ice cubes, and lime slices. Once you have all these ingredients ready, start mixing!
For starters, fill a highball glass with some ice cubes. Put the ice cubes first; you’ll want the drink to be as cold as possible. Then add rum and grenadine to the glass according to your taste.
Next, top the glass off with some lemon-lime soda. This is important to balance out the sweetness grenadine brings.
Then stir the drink to combine all the ingredients. It would help if you mixed well so that the color is even in the drink. Once you have mixed everything with perfection, it’s time for you to garnish.
You can use a classic garnishing technique with maraschino cherries and lime slices. Put a cherry and a lime slice on the rim of the glass to give it a makeover. It will look cool and classy as well.
And Voila! Your Dirty Shirley with Rum is now ready to serve.
This drink tastes different from the traditional version but is no less sweet and fruity.
Final Thoughts
I hope that you have enjoyed this discussion about Dirty Shirley. You have learned how it came to be and how to prepare it without missing a beat.
Whether you are enjoying a relaxing evening at home or partying hard with your friends, Dirty Shirley is always a hit.
You can make a delicious drink at home with just a few simple ingredients and some creativity. Give it a try today, and remember to let us know how it went!
