Every summer has its own unique elements. The Song of the Summer, for example. The Shoe of the Summer. And of course, the Drink of the Summer. It’s early days, but the Summer of 2022 is shaping up to be the Dirty Shirley Summer. Which actually sounds pretty good to us, given all that we’ve been through in the past couple of years. But what’s a Dirty Shirley, how do you make one, and why is it trending as the “it” drink right now? We’ve got answers, dear reader. Just read on.
is the “Dirty Shirley” the official drink of the summer of 2022?
Forget rosé, pink G&Ts, the espresso martini and the Aperol spritz. According to The New York Times, the Drink of the Summer of 2022 is going to be vodka-spiked Shirley Temples – aka the “Dirty Shirley.”
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What exactly is a Dirty Shirley? It’s a grown-up version of that childhood staple, the Shirley Temple. Take Sprite, add ice, some grenadine and a minimum of one bright red maraschino cherry, and you’ve got a cocktail perfect for the kiddos. Or for anyone nostalgic for a childhood outing to a fancy restaurant with the family.
What’s a Dirty Shirley, how do you make one, and why is it trending as the “it” drink right now?
“It’s going to be a volcanic summer of Dirty Shirleys,” Ashwin Deshmukh, a founder of the Short Stories bar on the Bowery told the Times. A TikTok demonstration of how to craft a “Dirty Shirley” already has 6.4 million views. And summer hasn’t even officially begun yet!
To what can we attribute this trendlet? The Times posits that it’s the direct result of 20-something influencers who moved back home during the coronavirus pandemic now returning to the city. And seeking that ironic twist of childhood and early adulthood in a glass.
What’s a Dirty Shirley, how do you make one, and why is it trending as the “it” drink right now?
In the Times story, one observer notes that “the Dirty Shirley echoes the Juicy Couture, hot pink, low-rise post-Y2K aesthetic. When you’re ordering one, you feel like Paris Hilton might get that.”
5 essential ingredients for the perfect Dirty Shirley
Here’s what you need to ensure that your home bar is well-stocked with the ingredients of what may end up being the most requested tipple during the hot summer days to come.
1. Vodka
For a tasty Dirty Shirley cocktail drink, you have to start with a good vodka. Consider treating yourself to a special bottle, like this one from Absolut. The brand’s ultra-luxe Elyx collection is sourced from grains from a single estate. And manually distilled in a vintage copper still to create an extra-smooth spirit.
BUY NOW: $31.99.
2. Grenadine
Add grenadine from a brand like Austin-based Liber & Co.
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3. Lemon-lime soda.
Of course Sprite or 7-Up will do just fine. But if you’re in the mood to impress – or you want to support a local beverage producer – consider something like Maine Root Lemon Lime soda.
BUY NOW: $44.99 for a 12-pack.
4. Maraschino cherries.
Supermarket maraschino cherries will do just fine, and certainly channel the extra-bright red hue we all remember so well from childhood. But if you want to go the gourmet route, try these from Italy. They get rave reviews from our foodie friends.
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5. Highball glasses.
Everything tastes better when it’s served in a pretty glass, no? So perhaps consider investing in a really nice set of highball glasses, like these from Reidel.
BUY NOW: $33 for a pair.
There are many variations on these basic ingredients, of course. Other versions of this recipe call for fresh lime juice. Or fresh grapefruit juice. Ginger beer. Gin instead of vodka. Bitters. Simply Syrup. Even cherry liqueur. In other words, you should have fun with this and play around until you’ve perfected your own version. It’ll be a long summer, with plenty of lazy cocktail hours ahead. Perhaps a tasting party is in order? Your call.
The summer of the Dirty Shirley may be upon us
That’s what you need to know about what a Dirty Shirley is, why they’re trending strongly right now, and what you need to make them when you host your next cocktail party. What do you think, dear reader? Is this going to be your go-to drink this summer?
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Pamela Thomas-Graham is the Founder & CEO of Dandelion Chandelier. A Detroit native, she has 3 Harvard degrees and has written 3 mystery novels published by Simon & Schuster. After serving as a senior corporate executive, CEO of CNBC and partner at McKinsey, she now serves on the boards of several tech companies. She loves fashion, Paris, New York, books, contemporary art, running, skiing, coffee, Corgis and violets.
