Ingredients
Method
- Start with a highball glass or a large mason jar. If you want your drink to stay cold without diluting too fast, place your glass in the freezer for ten minutes before you start.
- Fill the glass to the very top with ice. Using plenty of ice is better than just a few cubes because it keeps the drink colder for longer
- Measure out your vodka and pour it directly over the ice. You do not need the most expensive bottle for a Dirty Shirley, but avoid the bottom-shelf options that have a harsh rubbing-alcohol smell.
- Add the grenadine next. Grenadine is a pomegranate-based syrup, though many commercial versions are mostly sugar and red dye.
- Squeeze half a fresh lime directly into the glass. This is the step that most people skip, but it is the secret to a balanced cocktail. Drop the spent lime wedge into the glass for extra oils and a bit of green color.
- Top the glass with your lemon-lime soda. Pour it slowly down the side of the glass to preserve as much carbonation as possible.
- Drop three maraschino cherries into the glass. I like to add a teaspoon of the cherry juice from the jar as well for an extra punch of color. Stick a straw in and give it one gentle stir.
Notes
The biggest mistake is using too much grenadine. It is a very strong syrup, and a little goes a long way. If you add more than an ounce, the drink will taste like cough syrup and become unpleasantly thick.
Stick to the measurement and add more only if you really have a sweet tooth. You want the drink to be pink, not a dark, opaque red.
Another issue is using flat soda. A Dirty Shirley relies on that bubbly, fizzy mouthfeel to be refreshing. If your soda has been sitting in the fridge for three days, the drink will feel heavy and dull. Always use a fresh can or a newly opened bottle.