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This Shirley Temple dirty soda recipe is a fun and tasty twist on a classic dirty soda. The sweet, fizzy, and creamy drink is easy to make with 3 ingredients and has lots of flavor. It’s the perfect pick-me-up on a hot summer day.

Shirley temple dirty soda with Sprite, grenadine, creamer, and maraschino cherry.

Dirty soda originated in Utah and was made popular by TikTok users such as Olivia Rodrigo and soda shops like Swig and Sodalicious. The delicious soft drinks are made by combining ordinary soda with cream, fruit juice, and/or flavored syrups. Their taste is soft-of similar to cream soda or Italian soda.

While the popular dirty coke is delicious, if you are looking for something different I think that you will love this Dirty Shirley soda. The delicious drink tastes like a creamy version of a classic Shirley Temple.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Sprite, grenadine, vanilla coffee creamer, and maraschino cherries.

Lemon-lime soda – We used sugar-free Sprite, but you can use your preferred variety.
Vanilla coffee creamer – This is where the soda becomes dirty soda. French vanilla creamer is fine, too.
Grenadine syrup – for that classic shirly temple flavor
Ice cubes – Any ice works but use pebble ice or nugget ice for real soda shop vibes.
Garnish – Maraschino cherries are the classic shirly temple garnish but lime slices would work too.

How to make Dirty Soda

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Fill a tall glass (or mason jar) with ice.

Tip: Place a few cherries directly in the glass with the ice for some pops of color.

Step 2: Add grenadine.

Grenadine being poured into ice-filled mason jar.

Step 3: Follow with lemon-lime soda, filling the glass bout 3/4 full.

Step 4: Slowly pour the coffee creamer directly onto the ice. This is so you can get that ombre-colored effect.

Step 5: Top with a cherry (if desired) and serve immediately.

Shirley temple dirty sodas garnished with cherries in two mason jars.

Storage

This great drink is best served immediately. Thankfully it only takes minutes to make a dirty soda with grenadine so it shouldn’t be an issue.

Recipe tips & tricks

Make sure you pour the coffee creamer slowly into the glass so that you get a nice ombre effect with the grenadine syrup.
You can double or multiply the recipe to make enough for a pitcher. However, you won’t get the same layered look in the serving glasses this way.

Additions and Substitutions

No coffee creamer? Use a splash of heavy cream and a bit of vanilla syrup or vanilla extract.
Swap the soda. Try the recipe with Coke, orange soda, mountain dew, cherry coke, or dr. pepper.
Experiment with flavor. Try different flavor combinations and mix-ins such as coconut creamer, pineapple syrup, orange juice, and lemon juice for a truly unique drink.
Make it an ice cream float. Replace the creamer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a perfect sweet treat.

More Summer Drink Recipes

Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Shirley Temple Dirty Soda

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 5

Cook: 0

Total: 5

This Shirley Temple dirty soda recipe is a fun twist on the classic mocktail. The sweet, fizzy, creamy drink is easy to make, has lots of flavor, and is perfect for a hot summer day.

Ingredients

▢ ½ Tablespoon grenadine syrup
▢ ¾ cup lemon-lime soda such as Sprite
▢ ¼ cup vanilla-flavored coffee creamer
▢ ice
▢ maraschino cherries optional garnish

Instructions

Fill a glass with ice. Optional: Place a few cherries in with the ice for some pops of color.
Add grenadine syrup first, followed by Sprite.
Slowly pour the coffee creamer directly onto the ice.
Garnish with a maraschino cherry, if desired. Serve immediately.