A simple alcoholic drink called a Dirty Roy (Rogers) is created with cola, grenadine, alcohol of your choice (whiskey, vodka, bourbon) and topped with maraschino cherries.
My husband remembers being a child at an airport bar with his uncle and parents. His uncle was coming or going through the airport and the adults were having "adult" drinks, so they ordered him a Roy Rogers. They probably don't want kids in airport bars now. Those were the days.
Origin: "The King of the Cowboys," Roy Rogers, was a popular movie star in the 1950s. The story behind Roy Rogers' drinks is unclear. It may have been invented in the 1940s and so named because Roy Rogers himself did not drink alcohol. It was a popular companion drink for Shirley Temple in the 1950s and 1960s. Make the drink as a "mocktail" without the alcohol or include the alcohol for a more adult version.
Try some of our other favorites, such as Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Colada, or Dirty Roy Rogers.
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Ingredients for Dirty Roy drink at home
- grenadine syrup
- Ice
- cola (Coca-Cola or Pepsi)
- liquor (whiskey, bourbon or vodka)
- maraschino cherries for garnish
FAQs
A Dirty Roy Rogers is an alcoholic twist on the classic non-alcoholic Roy Rogers drink. It typically includes cola, grenadine, and a shot of whiskey or rum, garnished with maraschino cherries.
If you don't have grenadine, you can use pomegranate juice mixed with a bit of simple syrup or any red fruit syrup as a substitute.
The classic garnish is maraschino cherries. You can also add a slice of lime or lemon for an extra touch of flavor and color.
A tall glass like a highball or Collins glass works best, but you can also use a regular tumbler.
Top Tips
- You can leave out the alcohol if preferred, to make a regular Roy Rogers.
- Grenadine is a pomegranate flavored syrup. Many believe it to be cherry, but it is not.
- Use crushed or cubed ice for the drink, both are equally delicious.
- We like to use Jameson whiskey with the soda, but you can use whiskey, bourbon, dark rum, or even vodka. There are no specific rules on the alcohol with this drink.
How to make Alcoholic Dirty Roy
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour grenadine over the top of the ice.
- Add shot of liquor, such as bourbon, whiskey or vodka.
- Pour Coke to fill the glass, stir gently.
- Top with maraschino cherries. Enjoy and drink responsibly!
Dirty Roy Rogers Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ounce grenadine syrup
- Ice for glass
- 6 ounces cola (Coca-Cola or Pepsi)
- 1-1 ½ ounces liquor (whiskey, bourbon or vodka)
- maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour grenadine over the top of the ice.
- Add shot of liquor, such as bourbon, whiskey or vodka.
- Pour Coke to fill the glass, stir gently, then top with maraschino cherries. Enjoy and drink responsibly!
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