Dirty Shirley’s: How The “Drink Of The Summer” Is Taking Over The Internet

Legend says that a bartender in the 1930s created the now-iconic childhood drink “Shirley Temple” for the kid actress herself.

And this year, the nostalgic mocktail has gone viral in a new, alcoholic fashion.

“Dirty Shirley’s” are the latest craze after the New York Times called them the “drink of the summer.” And, lucky for you, the drink is exceptionally simple to make.

All you need is some chilled Sprite, grenadine, maraschino cherries, and your vodka of choice.

First, fill a glass with ice before adding about two ounces of vodka. Then, pour in a splash of grenadine and about a cup of Sprite. Finally, you can garnish the summer-red drink with some sweet maraschino cherries.

And while this drink is delightful, it is not exactly a reinvention of the wheel. So, why is it taking off now? Perhaps people are simply reveling in the nostalgia and enjoying feeling like a kid again.

Whatever the reason, though, the internet is loving it.

On TikTok alone, the #dirtyshirley has over 11.6 million views, with tons of users sharing their Shirley Temple concoctions.

TikTok; pictured above Courtney Shea makes a Dirty Shirley

Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.

The most liked video under this hashtag was created by Courtney Shea, a bartender whose heavy hand will not under-pour your drink’s vodka.

@Join_Jules, another creator whose account is dedicated to cocktail making, shared an aesthetically pleasing Dirty Shirley recipe video that completely captures the feeling of summer.

“Is the Dirty Shirley the cocktail of the summer? You tell me,” she asked the TikTok community.

Many people have also begun posting Dirty Shirley reviews at different restaurants and even sharing clips of themselves simply enjoying the drink with friends.

Plus, Barstool Chicks officially declared this cocktail to be “the hot girl drink of the summer.” So, what more confirmation do we need?

If you have never tried this drink, be sure to order it during your next outing. Its sugary sweetness coupled with the refreshing fizz of Sprite will Shirley make your summer. Get it?

If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe.

Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing ... More about Katharina Buczek

More About: