Welcome summer with this refreshing Dirty Shirley Contemporary Cocktail! Made with a mix of cherry and lemon-lime soda, plus just a hint of vodka, it’s the perfect way to cool off on hot days. Get ready to sip your way into the season – cheers!
Dirty Shirley – The Perfect Summer Cocktail
Sip into summer with this delicious Dirty Shirley contemporary cocktail. This vibrant, fizzy drink is the perfect combination of cherry and lemon-lime soda with a hint of vodka that will make any summer day special. With only three ingredients and easy steps, you can make this crowd-pleasing cocktail in no time.
The history of the Dirty Shirley dates back to 1967 when it was first invented by Robert Hesse at Chicago’s Playboy Club. He developed the recipe using an existing beverage called a “Kir Royale” as inspiration.
By replacing champagne with cherry flavored soda, he created what we now know as a “Dirty Shirley”.
Today, the Dirty Shirley has become one of the most popular drinks for both social gatherings and casual nights out on the town. Its refreshing taste makes it ideal for hot days spent relaxing poolside or enjoying an evening stroll along the beach. And since it requires so few ingredients and minimal effort to prepare, everyone from beginners to experienced mixologists can have fun creating their own version of this classic summer favorite.
Dirty Shirley Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces lemon lime soda such as Sprite or 7 UP
- 1/2 ounce grenadine syrup
Instructions
- Fill an 8 oz tumbler with ice cubes.
- Pour in the vodka and top it off with the lemon lime soda, stirring gently to combine.
- Add the grenadine syrup and stir again until blended well into the cocktail.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Glassware
The typical glassware for a Dirty Shirley Contemporary Cocktail is a highball or Collins glass. This type of glass is tall and cylindrical, typically with straight sides, and holds 8 to 12 ounces of liquid.
It’s perfect for serving this refreshing summer drink as it allows plenty of room for the ingredients to be mixed together nicely. You can also garnish the rim of the glass with a maraschino cherry or lemon wedge for extra flavor and presentation value.
Flavors
The Dirty Shirley contemporary cocktail is a summer classic. It combines the tartness of sour cherry juice with the sweetness and fizz of lemon-lime soda, all balanced by just enough vodka to give it an adult kick.
The flavor profile of this drink is both sweet and tangy, with bright citrus notes from the soda combining perfectly with the rich flavor of cherries. This refreshing drink also contains hints of vanilla from whatever brand you use for your vodka.
That hint helps to round out the flavors, making them more complex even though there are only three components in this cocktail recipe. As you sip on your Dirty Shirley Contemporary Cocktail, you’ll be able to pick up on each individual ingredient’s unique taste and imagine yourself in summer bliss.
3 tips for Making Your Dirty Shirley
- When using vodka, opt for a higher-quality brand to ensure the best flavor in your drink.
- Make sure to use fresh lemon lime soda as opposed to one that’s been sitting in your fridge for too long – this will give your drink more of a refreshing taste and avoid any off flavors.
- For the perfect balance of sweet and tart, add just enough grenadine syrup so it blends well into the cocktail without overpowering it.
