Food Recipes Desserts Frozen Desserts Dirty Shirley Float 5.0 (2) 2 Reviews Sweet, fizzy, and creamy, this grown-up float builds on a beloved soda drink with vodka, ginger ale, and vanilla ice cream. By Nicole Hopper Nicole Hopper Nicole Hopper is a recipe tester and developer based in Birmingham, Alabama. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 17, 2024 Tested by Anna Theoktisto Tested by Anna Theoktisto Anna Theoktisto is a recipe tester and developer. Anna has been working in Dotdash Meredith test kitchens since 2017, and her recipes and writing have appeared in over 10 nationally distributed print publications, as well as on various digital platforms. When not in the kitchen, Anna enjoys hiking with her son, husband, and two dogs, and fostering puppies for a local animal rescue group. Meet the Food & Wine Test Kitchen Save Rate PRINT Share Active Time: 5 mins Total Time: 5 mins Servings: 2 Yield: 2 floats Jump to recipe Legend has it the iconic Shirley Temple drink was created for child actress Shirley Temple during a business dinner with her family. A bartender noticed her interest in her parent's Old Fashioned cocktail and wanted to provide her with a spiffy non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy. In the 1930s, a vodka-based version of the Shirley Temple, known as the “Dirty Shirley,” became popular and began appearing on bar menus. This dessert is a variation of the Dirty Shirley, turning it into a creamy float by adding vanilla ice cream and ginger ale for a boozy sweet treat. Frequently Asked Questions What is a Dirty Shirley? A Dirty Shirley is a cocktail dating back to the early 1930s. It is an alcoholic version of a traditional Shirley Temple. It’s made with vodka, grenadine, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale and typically garnished with maraschino cherries. What is grenadine? Originally made from pomegranate juice and sugar, grenadine is a deep red syrup often used in cocktails to add sweetness and red coloring. Can I substitute ginger beer for ginger ale? Since ginger beer is more robust in flavor and more piquant than ginger ale, we do not recommend substituting ginger beer in this float, because it can overpower the other ingredients. Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen There are several other options for customizing this float. Instead of ginger ale, you can use a lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7UP, or you can enhance the tart and sweet flavors of the grenadine with strawberry or cherry ice cream. And, of course, if you need a non-alcoholic version, skip the vodka and you’ve still got a delicious, gingery float. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 6 small scoops (about ¼ cup each) vanilla ice cream, divided 1 (12-ounce) can ginger ale (about 1 ½ cups), chilled 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) vodka 2 tablespoons (1 ounces) grenadine Maraschino cherries, for garnish Directions Divide ice cream evenly between two large glasses. Stir together ginger ale, vodka, and grenadine in a medium measuring cup with a spout. Pour ginger ale mixture evenly over ice cream. Garnish with maraschino cherries and serve immediately. Food & Wine / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Nicole Hopper / Prop Styling by Tucker Vines Rate It Print