Dirty Shirley Cocktail

The Dirty Shirley Cocktail is a refreshing cherry drink that is reminiscent of the childhood classic Shirley Temple mocktail

This simple drink brings back childhood memories of dinners out with my family. My parents would always order me a classic “Shirley Temple” mocktail before dinner and it made me feel so grown-up.

As an adult, I love to mix up and serve this updated adult cocktail version of a Shirley Temple at happy hour for family and friends. They are also great by the pitcherful for backyard barbecues.

This limited-ingredient cocktail is easy to make, fun to serve, and will take your friends back to their favorite childhood drink memories at your next get-together!

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What is a Dirty Shirley Cocktail?

Simply put, a Dirty Shirley is the adult boozy take on the classic Shirley Temple mocktail, with the addition of vodka. It is cool and refreshing but with the same sweet old-fashioned twist. It’s also known as a Shirley Temple Black.

Because this cocktail is on the sweeter side we like to serve her with savory appetizers and snacks such as our Honey Roasted Cashews or easy Baked Brie with Garlic.

Simple Ingredients for a Dirty Shirley Cocktail:

• Amarena Wild Cherries – jarred, in syrup, they have a pure cherry flavor
• Vodka – use a good vodka such as Grey Goose or Tito’s
• 7-up (we use 7-up Zero Sugar) – or any lemon-lime soda
• Fresh Mint Leaves – for garnish
• Also – short skewers or pretty cocktail picks for garnishing your Dirty Shirley

TASTING NOTES:

We tested this easy cocktail recipe a few different ways (it’s a tough job, we know!), and here’s what we and all of our (too willing) friends found:

• We preferred using 7-up with Zero Sugar. Because the zero sugar version is less sugary it allows the sweetness of the cocktail to come mainly from the delicious deeply flavored cherry syrup. It also makes this drink lower in calories!
• Using the flavor-packed Italian jarred Amarena Cherries was far tastier than Grenadine syrup. Amarena syrup has a sweet taste and has a pure cherry flavor!

How to make a Dirty Shirley Drink

• Strain one ounce of Amarena cherry juice from the jar into a shot glass
• Set aside 3 cherries for garnish
• Fill a tall glass with ice cubes (we recommend a clear glass because this gal is gorgeous!)
• Pour 2 ounces of vodka over the ice
• Drizzle in the reserved 1 ounce of Amarena cherry syrup
• Slowly fill the remainder of the glass with 6 ounces of 7-up
• Skewer one mint leaf and three Amarena cherries with a cocktail pick or 3-4″ skewer
• Place over the top of the glass as your garnish
• Serve cold and enjoy!

What are Amarena Cherries?

• Amarena Cherries come from the cities of Bologna and Modena in Italy. “Amarena” is a variety of cherries that are small, dark, and tart. They are preserved in a deep rich syrup and often sold in equally beautiful jars. Our favorite is Fabbri brand

• These cherries have a wonderful flavor that is unlike the standard Maraschino cherry. They are definitely a gourmet treat that can be used in many different recipes, and if you store them in the refrigerator they have a long shelf life. Try drizzling in cocktails or topping ice cream or pound cake. We love to pour a drizzle of syrup and a few cherries over brie, goat cheese, or on a Parmesan wedge on a charcuterie board for a gorgeous touch.

Where did the traditional Shirley Temple originate?

• No one knows which establishment originally served the first Dirty Shirley, but it is clearly linked to the Shirley Temple original mocktail.

• The original drink was crafted at the legendary (and now closed) Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood, for famous child actress, Shirley Temple. She was seen there on many occasions, especially after award shows in the 1930s. To make her feel special the drink was created and named after her. (Fun fact: the Brown Derby also invented the Cobb Salad!)

Simple Recipe Variations

• Make a classic Shirley Temple mocktail by omitting the vodka
• Amarena Cherries – substitute Maraschino Luxardo cherries
• Amarena Cherry Syrup – use the syrup from the Maraschino cherries or a traditional Grenadine syrup
• 7-up – substitutions include Sprite, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale

Using any or all of these substitutions will change the flavor and color of the cocktail. Either way, we recommend using the best quality, since there are so few ingredients.

The ultimate variation ~ “The Dirty Shirley Martini”

During our tasting sessions, we thought this cocktail would also make a fantastic martini for a special occasion, and we were right!

• Using the recipe above: Combine 2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce cherry syrup, and 6 ounces 7-Up
• Add 1/2 ounce of fresh-squeezed lime juice
• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all of the Dirty Shirley ingredients.
• Shake until the shaker is super cold
• Strain into a martini glass
• To garnish: add one mint leaf and three Amarena Cherries to a cocktail pick or short skewer and lay across the top of the martini
• Serve and enjoy!

Looking for more great cocktail ideas?

We’ve got you covered on gorgeous fun drink ideas:

• Blueberry Vodka Cocktail or Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
• French 75 Cocktail
• Hugo Spritz or Aperol Spritz
• Kir Royale
• French Martini
• Classic White Russian