Orange Dirty Shirley Cocktail
This cocktail is basically an elevated, less-sweet version of the traditional Dirty Shirley! Made with vodka, orange liqueur, grenadine, fresh lime, and lemon soda, it’s a simple, refreshing cocktail for any time of the year. I like making these orange Dirty Shirley cocktails for bachelorette parties, bridal showers, birthday parties, and more!
Earlier this summer, the New York Times declared the Dirty Shirley the drink of the summer and the retired sorority girl in me lost her damn mind. Back in college, my friends and I would sit on the floor of my living room watching movies, eating snacks, and drinking way too many Dirty Shirleys. They were the pre-game drink of choice while applying eyeshadow before winter formals. I’m sure many a bartender rolled their eyes when we’d drunkenly roll up to the bar requesting a round for the whole party.
This was clearly before drinking more than 2 sweet cocktails gave me an instant hangover. 🙃
Anywayyyys, to find a solution for my now late-twenties stomach, I went ahead and created a Dirty Shirley that’s a little more headache proof!
(And if you’re looking for a drink that’s a little more grown up but still fun, try this peachy pink gin spritz or berry lemon rosé sangria!)
My favorite girl’s night drink
If you’re like, “ok, but what even is a Dirty Shirley?” it’s basically just a boozy version of the Shirley Temple. Which is kind of ironic because the Shirley Temple was created as a mocktail in the first place. But I digress. A traditional Shirley Temple has ginger ale (or lemon-lime soda) and grenadine. The grown up version has a shot of vodka and maybe a twist.
Since I’m typically a fan of a stronger, whiskey-forward cocktail like old fashioneds, I really wanted to make a version that’s elevated and less sweet!
- We’re adding orange liqueur because it complements the grenadine and adds a lovely citrusy note.
- You can make a single cocktail or mix up a big batch for a crowd.
- Make this cocktail for girl’s night, bachelorette parties, or wedding showers!
Sparkling lemonade
Instead of using ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, I like to use artisan sparkling lemonade like Lorina. It’s way less sweet than soda but still gives a nice fizz! Of course, if you like a sweet cocktail, you can definitely use lemon-lime soda (like Sprite) or ginger ale. Or, for an even drier drink, use sparkling water.
You’ll also need vodka, orange liqueur (like Triple Sec), grenadine, and fresh limes. For garnish, I like boozy cherries but they’re totally optional! You can also use maraschino cherries or just leave them out.
Make the drink
This is maybe one of the easiest cocktails you could ever make. You simply mix everything together in a glass and serve!
- Fill a glass all the way to the top with ice.
- Next, pour the vodka, orange liqueur, and grenadine over the ice.
- Finish with a splash of lemon soda over the top. Add a squeeze of lime and garnish with boozy cherries. Enjoy!
For a crowd
This is the perfect cocktail for a party or get-together! Since it’s super easy and quick to make, you can mix these cocktails up all night long for your friendsies. Or, mix it up in a pitcher for an even easier drink situation.
- Mix the vodka, orange liqueur, grenadine, and lime juice in a pitcher.
- Right before serving, add the lemon soda. Stir well and serve immediately over ice.
A few notes
- Use a highball glass. Between 10-12 ounces is good!
- Give the cocktail a good stir before serving to mix up all the different flavors. The grenadine will sink to the bottom and you probably don’t want to get a mouthful of it!
- For a less boozy cocktail, use 1 ounce of vodka and 1/2 ounce of Triple Sec. You can also leave the Triple Sec out if you don’t have any.
- For a sweeter cocktail, use 1 ounce of grenadine instead of 1/2 ounce. Or, use lemon-lime soda instead of sparkling lemonade!
Other spirits you can use
If you’re not a vodka fan, you can replace it with silver rum or tequila! Keep the Triple Sec for the citrus note. Grand Marnier would also be delicious with tequila if you want a Cadillac margarita-inspired drink.
If you make this recipe, I would love it if you left a star rating and review! I read every single comment and love hearing what you think about my recipes. Thank you for supporting Sunday Table!
Orange Dirty Shirley Cocktail
Ingredients
Single cocktail
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce Triple Sec
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
- 4 ounces lemon soda
- Lime wedges
- Boozy cherries or Maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)
Batch cocktail (8 drinks)
- 1 1/2 cups vodka
- 1/2 cup Triple sec
- 1 cup grenadine
- Juice of 2 limes
- 4 cups lemon soda
- Boozy cherries or Maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)
Equipment
- High ball glasses, pitcher, or punch bowl
Instructions
Single cocktail
- Fill a highball glass to the top with ice. Pour the vodka, Triple sec, and grenadine over the ice. Next, add the lemon soda and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Garnish the drink with boozy cherries and lime wedges, if desired. Stir gently right before enjoying.
Batch cocktail
- In a pitcher or punch bowl, add the vodka, Triple Sec, grenadine, and lime juice. Stir, cover, and refrigerate until you're ready to serve the cocktail.
- Right before serving, add the lemon soda. Stir well to combine. Serve over ice and garnish with boozy cherries and lime wedges.
