A Beautiful Mess

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Emma Chapman — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:40:00 +0000

If you are looking for a really quick and easy breakfast that can feed a larger group, you should try this biscuits and gravy casserole recipe.

This casserole requires just six ingredients and about 45 minutes to make from start to finish. You can also make most of the recipe the night before and then bake the morning you plan to serve this.

Related: Next up try Broccoli Casserole, Loveless Cafe Hashbrown Casserole or Tater Tot Casserole.

The ingredients for this cheesy biscuits and gravy casserole are:

Canned Biscuits – I like Grands classic buttermilk, but any canned biscuits will work well.
Breakfast Sausage – I use veggie sausage crumbles, but you could also use pork or turkey sausage.
Eggs + Milk – for that scrambled egg effect.
Cheese – shredded cheddar is my favorite, but other cheeses like pepper jack could work too.
Country Gravy – I use canned gravy, but you could use a mix or make your own from scratch if you prefer.

Can you make biscuits and gravy casserole the night before?

Yes. Simply make the recipe up to the point where you pour on gravy. Cover the whole dish in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store it (and the gravy, separately) in the refrigerator overnight.

In the morning, all you need to do is pour the gravy over the top and bake.

How long do you bake biscuits and gravy casserole?

For this recipe, you bake for 30-35 minutes at 350°F

Other breakfast recipes for a crowd:

As I mentioned in the ingredient list, I like to make this biscuits and gravy casserole with veggie sausage crumbles. You can make your own vegetarian-friendly mushroom gravy, or find a canned or mix version.

What goes well with biscuits and gravy casserole?

Here are some ideas of things to serve along with this recipe:

Air Fried Breakfast Potatoes
5 Easy Homemade Juices
5 Ingredient Green Smoothie
Crispy Hash Browns Cake
Fresh fruit (like sliced oranges or berries)

This easy biscuits and gravy casserole is total breakfast comfort food and such a simple recipe to make for the next time you are hosting a family brunch (or needing a dish to bring to a breakfast potluck).

If you make this, let me know what you think in the comments. xo. Emma

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

easy cheesy biscuits and gravy casserole recipe

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword biscuits and gravy, biscuits and gravy casserole

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Calories 1223kcal

Author Emma Chapman

Ingredients

8 biscuits canned
12 ounces sausage crumbles I used veggie sausage
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
5 eggs
¼ cup milk
1 can country gravy 15 ounces (or 2 cups)
2 tablespoons chopped green onion optional

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Cut the (raw) biscuits into fourths and spread on the bottom of a 9×13 casserole pan.
Cook the sausage crumbles and then spread over the top of the biscuit pieces.
Sprinkle on the shredded cheddar cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Pour over the cheese layer as evenly across the casserole as you can.
Pour the gravy over the top.
Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and any visible biscuit pieces look golden brown.
Sprinkle the green onions over the top before serving, if using.

Notes

You can make this casserole the night before by making the recipe up to the point where you pour on the gravy. Cover the casserole and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, pour the gravy over the top and then bake as directed.

I use veggie sausage crumbles, but if you are using meat such as pork or turkey, make sure the sausage is cooked through before adding to the casserole. This could change the amount of time it takes to prep this dish.

Nutrition

Chick-fil-A Sauce Recipe

Emma Chapman — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 13:10:00 +0000

We make air fryer chicken tenders (store-bought and homemade) at home with our toddler a LOT. And while I am all for a drive-thru meal when we are on a road trip or at an airport, it’s not a big part of our regular life. So, it’s nice to know how to make your own Chick-fil-A sauce.

This Chick-fil-A sauce recipe is made from just four simple ingredients. These are things I usually already have in your refrigerator most of the time. The recipe I’m sharing below, to me, tastes exactly like the restaurant version. But when you make it yourself you can customize it to your preferences.

Related: I love this sauce recipe on everything from baked chicken, air fryer wings (as the dipping sauce) to air fryer French fries. It’s great on store-bought air fryer fries, like waffle fries, too! Try our spicy mayo recipe or Raising Cane’s sauce.

Ingredients

Mayo – I like real mayo but Miracle Whip is fine too
Mustard – Standard, yellow mustard
BBQ sauce – Any store-bought brand you like works
Honey

I will note, if you want this to taste like a copycat Chick-fil-A sauce then you will want to use the most basic (plain) ingredient options. If you use a spicy BBQ sauce, for example, it will not taste as much like the restaurant version.

How to make Chick-fil-A Sauce

In a small- to medium-size mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. Stir until well combined, the sauce will be an orange color.

The amounts listed will make about 1/3 cup of sauce. Feel free to double or triple this recipe if you want to make a larger amount.

Tips & Substitutions

If you want to add a little heat, use a spicy BBQ sauce or add 1/4 teaspoon or more of cayenne.
If you want to make a vegan version of this, you can substitute the mayo for Vegenaise (or similar vegan mayo option) and the honey for maple syrup or agave.
Sometimes I will use dijon mustard instead of yellow mustard as I like the slightly more spicy flavor.

More Sauce & Dressing Recipes

Chick Fil A Sauce

how to make a copycat version of this beloved sauce

Course condiment

Cuisine American

Keyword sauce

Prep Time 2

Total Time 2

Servings

Calories 239kcal

Author Emma Chapman

Ingredients

¼ cup mayo
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

In a small- to medium-size mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients.
Stir until well combined, the sauce will be an orange color.
The amounts listed will make about 1/3 cup of sauce. Feel free to double or triple this recipe if you want to make a larger amount.

Notes

If you want this to taste like a copycat Chick-fil-A sauce, then you will want to use the most basic (plain) ingredient options. If you use a spicy BBQ sauce, for example, it will not taste as much like the restaurant version.

Nutrition

Tequeño Recipe

Emma Chapman — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 13:05:00 +0000

I think of tequeños as Venezuelan cheese sticks. Simple pastry dough gets wrapped around cheese and deep fried until golden brown. Serve a tequeño with your favorite dipping sauce and you’ve got an impressive appetizer!

Lately I’ve been focused on a few classic Venezuelan recipes as they make me feel close to my mother’s side of our family (she was born in Venezuela and moved to the US in elementary school). Food and cooking is such a fun part of culture and it’s just one of those little things that as I grow up I crave more of.

Related: Next up try our recipe for cachapas or arepas.

Tequeño Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Salt
Unsalted butter
Egg
Water
Cheese- queso blanco, queso semiduro, or low moisture mozzarella
Oil for frying – canola or vegetable oil work well

How to make Tequeños

Start by making the dough. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour and salt. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and incorporate it into the flour mixture. A pastry blender is a good tool for this or you can use your clean hands (this is what I do). It should resemble small pebbles.

Next Add the egg and 1/4 cup cold water. Stir together until the dough forms a shaggy ball. If it seems too dry to stick together you may need 1-2 more tablespoons of cold water. The dough should be a slightly softer version of pie crust dough. Allow the dough to rest for a few minutes.

Cut the cheese into small sticks. I tend to aim for mozzarella cheese sticks (the kind you buy that are individually wrapped for snacking) size but then cut in half lengthwise. You can also take a look at the photos in this post to get an idea of the size you are aiming for with the cheese.

Roll the dough into a large rectangle. Cut into thin strips, I use a pizza cutter to do this. Wrap each cheese stick in the dough, sealing the ends but dapping a little water onto the dough and pressing together.

In a large pot or cast iron skillet heat the oil to around 375°F. Deep fry the tequeños in the oil for 3-4 minutes. Rotate them halfway through so all sides get crispy and golden brown. Transfer to a plate with paper towels after to remove excess oil.

Serve warm with whatever dipping sauce you prefer!

Notes and Substitutions

Queso blanco and queso semiduro are more traditional choices for the the filling in tequeños but I always use low moisture mozzarella as it’s easier for me to find. Really any salty, hard melting cheese will work in these.
I reference mozzarella cheese sticks to give you an idea of the thickness you are aiming to cut the cheese into. But, I don’t recommend using cheese sticks as typically the mozzarella used for those isn’t low moisture and so tends to be too soft to hold up well in deep frying.
Wrapping the tequeños is skill. It’s not difficult but it may take one or two before you get the hang of it.
If your tequeños leak a little during frying it’s OK! The cheese will turn into little crunchy bits that stick to the outside and IMO make these even better.
These are flaky and lightly sweet on the outside with a salty, melted cheese inside. They are delicious but a little plain. Sauce is a must! My top choice is guasacaca (Venezuelan avocado sauce) or salsa rosa (mayo and ketchup—add a splash of hot sauce if you dare). Salsa work great. But another option, completely untraditional, is marinara sauce.
Tequeños are best the day they are made, warm from the initial cooking. If you do have leftovers you can rewarm them in the air fryer for a few minutes.

More Latin American and Tex-Mex Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you air fry tequeños?

Incredible Hulk Cocktail

Elsie Larson — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:05:00 +0000

The Incredible Hulk (also known as the Green Eyed Monster, Shrock or Hip and Hen) is a tasty bright green cocktail recipe made with just three ingredients. Mixed with Hpnotiq liqueur, cognac and orange bitters, this drink is fresh, sweet, strong and nuanced. It reminds me of the green tea shot.

More drinks with funny names: Mind Eraser, Sex On The Beach, Bahama Mama, Blow Job Shot, Chuck Norris Shot, Flaming Dr. Pepper.

Ingredients

Hpnotiq Liqueur – (pronounced “hypnotic”)This bright blue color liqueur is made from fruit juices, vodka and cognac.
Cognac – You can use Hennessy brand cognac or whatever cognac you have on hand.
Orange Bitters – Technically optional, but I recommend them. They give this drink depth.
Lime Slice – As an optional garnish—really anything green goes great on top of this cocktail.

Equipment: The best glassware choice for this is a rocks glass or old-fashioned glass. You will also need a cocktail shaker to mix up this recipe. If you don’t have one, you can use a sealed mason jar or water bottle.

How to Make

In a cocktail glass filled halfway with ice, pour Hpnotiq, cognac and orange bitters.

Shake for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.

Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.

Garnish with a lime slice or a green herb such as mint leaves, rosemary, thyme or basil.

Tips for Making

The bright green color of this drink and fruity flavor makes it seems light and fun, but this is actually a stiff cocktail. Since the main ingredients are alcohol (with no mixers), be aware of that when serving—it’s stronger than it appears.
Sweeter Variation – We love the equal parts version of this drink; however, if you want a sweeter version, try mixing 3 ounces of Hpnotiq with 1.5 ounces cognac. This also make a brighter green color.
Lighter Variation – If you want a less boozy version, mix this exact recipe but serve it in a collins glass and top it off with club soda or lemon-lime soda.
Frozen Incredible Hulk Drink – In a blender, combine the ingredients from this recipe along with a handful of ice to make a frozen version.
Incredible Hulk Pitcher Recipe – To make a pitcher recipe, 8x this recipe and serve it in a pitcher filled with ice. That will make drinks for eight people.
Incredible Hulk Punch Bowl – To make a punch bowl, 8x this recipe and serve it in a punch bowl filled with ice. This punch bowl will serve eight.
Incredible Hulk Shot – If you want to make a shot glass-sized version of this drink, mix 1 ounce Hpnotiq, 1 ounce cognac and 1 dash of orange bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and pour into a shot glass to serve.

What does an Incredible Hulk taste like?

This cocktail is sweet and citrus flavored with strong notes of vanilla, herbs and spices as well as caramel notes. A few dashes of orange bitters add fruity citrus sweetness as well as balance to the recipe.

History

The Incredible Hulk drink was created at Justin’s Restaurant in New York City. Sean Combs owned the (now closed) establishment in 2003 when this drink was created. A brand rep noticed that more women were drinking Hpnotiq than men, and requested a new, stiffer recipe. A bartender had the idea to make a less sweet drink by mixing Hpnotiq and cognac.

The result was a sweet and stiff drink in a bright green-colored cocktail. An optional dash of orange bitters adds to this recipe’s depth and nuance.

The promotional party resulted in an innovation is sweeter than an average brandy cocktail and stiffer than most Hpnotiq drinks. It became a crowd-pleaser and quickly caught on in popularity.

It’s named after The Hulk superhero for its bright green color. The Hulk’s superpowers include superhuman strength and that’s how this strong cocktail got its name.

More Colorful Cocktails

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in an Incredible Hulk cocktail?

London Fog Recipe

Emma Chapman — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:01:00 +0000

If you are looking for a cozy beverage that’s easy to make at home, look no further than this London Fog drink recipe. This is essentially an Earl Grey tea latte sweetened with honey and vanilla. While Earl Grey tea contains less caffeine than coffee, this London Fog drink will still deliver a jolt to your morning or a little afternoon pick me up.

London Fog is a drink you can find on the Starbucks menu as well as many large and small coffee shops. If you prefer tea over coffee, it’s certainly something you should try! The drink gets its name from the steamed milk (foam) on top, resembling a foggy London day. This combined with the fact it’s a tea-based drink, rather than coffee or espresso.

Ingredients in a London Fog

Earl Grey Tea – Use traditional Earl Grey tea or a decaf variation. This adds a bergamot flavor that is key to this recipe.
Water – For brewing your tea bag.
Honey – For added flavor and sweetness.
Vanilla Extract – For added flavor.
Dried Lavender Buds – You add some dried culinary lavender buds to your latte for a subtle hint of lavender flavor.

Sometimes London Fog drinks include lavender simple syrup, like in a Lavender Latte.

How to make a London Fog

Brew the tea – Brew the Earl Grey tea. I brew this rather strong, with less water as we will be adding milk. Stir in the honey and vanilla.

Froth the milk – Now to make the frothed milk. If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand, place the wand just below the surface of the milk and turn it on.

Steam – Tilt the pitcher slightly to create a swirling motion. Continue steaming until the milk has doubled in volume and has a smooth, velvety texture. If you don’t have a steam wand, you can heat the milk on the stovetop and whisk by hand or use a milk frother vigorously until it becomes frothy.

Serve – Pour the frothed milk into the hot tea mixture and enjoy.

More Coffee & Tea Drinks

London Fog Tea Latte Variations

Choice of Tea – Substitute Earl Grey for another black tea or, if looking to avoid caffeine, an herbal tea. You can also find decaffeinated Earl Grey tea.
Choice of Milk – You can use any kind of milk or milk alternative you prefer. While I typically use whole or 2% milk in latte recipes, you could use oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc.
Flavor Variations – While many add lavender to a London Fog, it’s optional. You could also choose to add other flavors like mint simple syrup or rosemary simple syrup.

Try this recipe on cold winter mornings along with our homemade pancakes or cinnamon rolls.

London Fog Drink

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, English

Keyword London Fog, London Fog Drink, London Fog Recipe

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3

Servings

Calories 97kcal

Author Emma Chapman

Ingredients

1 cup water
2 bags Earl Grey tea
1-2 teaspoons honey
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup milk

Instructions

Brew the Earl Grey tea. I brew this rather strong, with less water as we will be adding milk.
Stir in the sweetener(s) and vanilla.
Now to make the frothed milk. If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand, place the wand just below the surface of the milk and turn it on.
Tilt the pitcher slightly to create a swirling motion. Continue steaming until the milk has doubled in volume and has a smooth, velvety texture.
If you don’t have a steam wand, you can heat the milk on the stovetop and whisk by hand or use a milk frother vigorously until it becomes frothy.
Pour the frothed milk into the hot tea mixture and enjoy.

Notes

Substitute Earl Grey for another black tea or, if looking to avoid caffeine, an herbal tea.

You can use any kind of milk or milk alternative you prefer. While I typically use whole or 2% milk in latte recipes, you could use oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc.

Nutrition

Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe

Emma Chapman — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Making homemade pumpkin spice syrup is easy and delicious. It’s the perfect addition to your homemade pumpkin spice latte.

Elsie and I have an inside joke about what we call the “pumpkin spice latte effect.” It’s our theory that right around the beginning of September, everybody gets a little bit nicer/more considerate/happy. Us included.

We are for SURE affected by the PSL effect. So, of course, making your own pumpkin spice syrup at home is a great way to take advantage of this good vibes effect. And in case you need here’s how to make the best latte recipe at home with or without an espresso machine.

I love to try coffee from just about anywhere, but I’m not above getting excited about PSL day at Starbucks! And, I think on a “deeper” level, somehow PSL day reminds us all that fall is in full swing.

Here in southern Missouri, that means cooler weather, hay rides, hot chocolate, apple picking, pumpkin carving, hot cider, layered clothing, and (most importantly) the holidays are on their way.

I LOVE how this pumpkin spice syrup recipe turned out. I may have to make this a new tradition every year and create my own pumpkin spice latte effect. Here’s my recipe, but feel free to adjust the spices to your own liking.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup Ingredients

2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon or 4-5 cinnamon sticks (I used half cinnamon and half cinnamon sticks)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (I go easy on the cloves, because I think they are such a strong flavor)
4 heaping tablespoons of pumpkin puree

Directions

In a pot, combine all the ingredients. Stir together over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Continue cooking over low/medium heat for an additional 5-6 minutes (do not allow to boil).

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and store in an airtight container. You can keep the unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Be sure to give the syrup a good shake before reusing.

Combine the coffee, psl syrup, and hot milk and enjoy!

I have a little home espresso maker that I got for Christmas last year, so I use that to make homemade lattes or Americanos. As you can see by my (lack of) latte art, I am no barista. But, the syrup is really what makes this drink!

If you don’t have a home espresso maker, just brew some (really) strong coffee and heat some milk in a pot over medium/high heat. Once it’s hot, use a whisk to incorporate air, creating foam.

More Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe

the best at-home PSL syrup recipe

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword PSL syrup, Pumpkin spice latte syrup, Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe

Author Emma Chapman

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup brown sugar packed
1 teaspoon cinnamon or 4-5 cinnamon sticks I used half cinnamon and half cinnamon sticks
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ginger ground
½ teaspoon ground cloves I go easy on the cloves, because I think they are such a strong flavor
4 heaping tablespoons pumpkin puree be sure to use puree, not pumpkin pie filling

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a pot, combine all the ingredients. Stir together over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Continue cooking over low/medium heat for an additional 5-6 minutes (do not allow to boil).
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and store in an airtight container. You can keep unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Be sure to give the syrup a good shake before reusing.

Easy Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

Emma Chapman — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 13:07:00 +0000

This deep dish pizza recipe is everything I love about pizza with a thick crust. This pizza gets baked in a square baking dish, and I like to cut the pizza into small squares before serving. Layers of pizza sauce, cheese and toppings melt together for the perfect bite. This is not Chicago-style pizza it’s more similar to Detroit-style pizza or Sicilian-style pizza.

This deep dish pizza recipe is similar to Pizza Hut original pan crust but maybe a little thicker and (depending how much oil you use in the bottom of the pan) a little less greasy.

More Pizza Recipes: Pizza Cupcakes, Stuffed Crust Cast-Iron Pizza, Calzone Recipe, Chocolate Chip Pizza and Thin Crust Pizza.

This pizza features a thick, rectangular crust with crispy edges and a soft interior. The dough is stretched out and pressed into a well-oiled square or rectangular pan, creating a caramelized, cheesy crust.

I add oil to the bottom of the pan the edges, also being sure to spread the cheese to the edge of dough so it touches the pan. This creates that crispy, crunchy edge to the pizza that reminds me of childhood Pizza Hut crust pizza (it was so good!).

When it comes to sauce, try our homemade pizza sauce or choose store bought. But I do recommend having some extra sauce on the side, as this is the kind of pizza you might want to dip into more sauce. If you love ranch, try our homemade ranch dressing.

Even though the pizza may not look big, I think you can easily feed four or five people with this pizza paired with a salad or other side dish.

Deep Dish Pizza Ingredients:

Active dry yeast
Water
All-purpose flour
Salt
Olive oil
Pizza Sauce– make your own or store-bought is great too
Mozzarella cheese
Toppings – pepperoni, bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, Italian sausage, mushrooms, spinach- you choose!

If you want to add a few teaspoons of oregano to the dough OR sauce feel free! Another optional idea is to add a couple tablespoons cornmeal to the pan after you oil it. This just gives a little more texture to the crust.

How to make Deep Dish Pizza

In a glass mixing cup or small bowl, stir together the water and sugar. Then, sprinkle the yeast over the top of the water and allow to activate for a couple minutes.

In a large bowl, add the flour and salt. Pour the yeast water into the bowl and stir until a dough ball forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead a few times to help the dough stick together.

Then, place the dough back into the bowl, sprinkle with some flour so it doesn’t stick too much, cover with a kitchen towel and allow to rise for 30-40 minutes until doubled in size.

If your kitchen is cold or drafty (like mine is the winter), you can place the bowl inside a slightly warmed oven to rise.

Oil the inside of an eight-inch square pan. Then, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a small square. I like oil over butter here as I think it makes the bottom and edges of the crust a little crispier.

Place the dough in the oiled pan. Top with the sauce, cheese, and toppings. Make sure to sprinkle the cheese all the way to the edge, so it touches the pan (this will let it get crispy as it bakes).

Bake the pizza at 400°F for 15-16 minutes, until the edges are browned and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Slice the pizza three time across, making nine square pieces.

Tips for Success

To get that crispy edge, be sure to sprinkle the cheese all the way to the edge so that it’s touching the pan.
I like to provide red pepper flakes and grated parmesan cheese as an optional topping for the pizza.
This recipe is made for an 8 inch baking pan, you may also use a cast-iron skillet to bake your pizza.

Here I tried to show you the thick and fluffy crust with that crispy edge. It’s soooo good! I love this deep dish pizza recipe. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best deep-dish pizza pan?

Dirty Shirley Recipe

Laura Gummerman — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

A Dirty Shirley is a spiked version of the classic kid’s drink, the Shirley Temple. Easy to make and nostalgic with a twist, this drink features fizzy lemon-lime soda, grenadine, maraschino cherries and a splash of vodka to make it an adult treat. The bright red color from the grenadine make this a standout drink, and it’s easy to make in a large batch for a party.

We’ve got the perfect ratio to make your Dirty Shirley in a snap, and recipe tips and tricks for a skinny version with less sugar as well as a homemade grenadine recipe.

What is a Dirty Shirley Drink?

A Dirty Shirley is an alcoholic take on a classic sweet drink mocktail (called a Shirley Temple) made with lemon-lime soda (or ginger ale), grenadine, and a maraschino cherry for a garnish. Adding vodka to the drink makes it a Dirty Shirley and lemon-lime soda is usually used in place of ginger ale.

Why is it Called a Dirty Shirley Drink?

The original drink is named after the famous child star Shirley Temple. Legend has it that it was invented by a bartender at Chasen’s in Beverly Hills in the 1930s for the little actress so she could feel fancy at parties, and it has been a hit ever since. Kids love to feel fancy, too! The “dirty” part of the title comes from adding alcohol to the classic kid’s drink.

It’s not known who originally decided to spike the classic drink, but it’s been enjoyed this way for years. Sometimes it is referred to as a Shirley Temple Black as that is her grown up married name.

What type of vodka is best for a Dirty Shirley?

You don’t need to go high end for this kind of drink, so a mid-shelf vodka like Svedka, Tito’s, or Smirnoff will work perfectly.

Ingredients:

Lemon-lime soda: You can use either Sprite or 7Up for this drink, as both have the classic lemon-lime taste that pairs perfectly well with the flavor of the grenadine. You can also squeeze in some fresh lemon or lime for an extra citrus kick.

Grenadine: Aside from the sweet cherry flavor it adds to the drink, grenadine also give the cocktail the beautiful bright red hue associated with the classic Shirley Temple. This pomegranate syrup can be found in the mixer section of most liquor stores (and in grocery stores that carry alcohol) or it can be ordered online. You can also make your own grenadine at home!

Vodka: Vodka is the best choice for this drink with its more neutral flavor profile and you can make your drink stronger or weaker by adding more or less.

Ice: Whether you like fancy pellet ice, cube ice, or just ice from the fridge ice maker, pile it high and deep before pouring in your ingredients to keep your drink cold.

Cherries (for garnish): This drink just wouldn’t be the same without a few maraschino cherries for an edible garnish! You can either put them directly in the drink, or add them to a skewer with a lemon or lime slice.

THESE highball GLASSES ARE PERFECT FOR SERVING DIRTY SHIRLEYS!

How to Make a Dirty Shirley:

Fill a tall glass with ice (usually a highball glass is used, but you can use whatever glass you like).
Pour 1 ounce grenadine syrup
Add 2 ounces vodka to glass
Top off with 8 ounces of lemon-lime soda (or ginger ale) and stir gently.
Add maraschino cherries for garnish
Enjoy!

Tips and Variations of the Classic Dirty Shirley:

For a skinny version, opt for a lime sparking water (or fresh lime juice or lemon juice squeezed into plain sparkling water) instead of the soda and sweeten with the grenadine to taste.
Instead of all lemon-lime soda, try switching out half the soda for ginger ale or use all ginger ale instead of the lemon-lime.
If you don’t have grenadine, you can use maraschino cherry juice, which gives you a cherry version.
Rather than a store-bought version, try making your own easy grenadine and tweak the sweetness ratio to your liking.
If you don’t have grenadine, you can also use the juice from the maraschino cherry jar and that will give the drink a stronger cherry taste along with a pink color.

To Make a Batch of Dirty Shirleys:

If you are having a party and want to make a batch of drinks to easily serve a larger crowd, just add:

2 cups of vodka
1 cup grenadine
8 cups lemon-lime soda
Maraschino cherries for garnish

Add the vodka and grenadine to a large pitcher. Stir to combine. Pour in the lemon-lime soda and gently stir briefly. Add to ice-filled glasses and pop a cherry into each glass before serving. Serves 8.

More Recipes to Try

Dips – French Onion Dip, Corn Dip, Taco Dip.
Salad – Creamy Pasta Salad, 7 Layer Salad, Best Potato Salad.
Pizza – Detroit-Style Pizza, Stuffed Crust Pizza, Pizza Dough.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks – Virgin Mojito, Arnold Palmer, Agua Fresca.

Dirty Shirley Recipe

Put an alcoholic twist on the classic Shirley Temple drink with just a few ingredients!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword dirty shirley, dirty shirley cocktail, dirty shirley recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings person

Calories 300kcal

Author Laura Gummerman

Cost $2

Ingredients

1 ounce grenadine syrup
2 ounces vodka
8 ounces lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
½ cup ice
1 maraschino cherry or lime wedges for garnish

Instructions

Fill glass with ice
Add 1 ounce grenadine syrup
Add 2 ounces of vodka
Top off with 8 ounces of lemon-lime soda (or ginger ale)
Add maraschino cherries for garnish
Enjoy!

Notes

Variations of the Classic Dirty Shirley:

For a skinny version, opt for a lime sparking water (or fresh lime squeezed into plain sparkling water) instead of the soda and sweeten with the grenadine to taste.
Instead of all lemon-lime soda, try switching out half the soda for ginger ale or use all ginger ale instead of the lemon-lime.
If you don’t have grenadine, you can use maraschino cherry juice, which gives you a cherry version.
Rather than a store-bought version, try making your own easy grenadine and tweak the sweetness ratio to your liking.
If you don’t have grenadine, you can also use the juice from the maraschino cherry jar and that will give the drink a stronger cherry taste along with a pink color.

To Make a Batch of Dirty Shirleys:

If you are having a party and want to make a batch of drinks to easily serve a larger crowd, just add:

2 cups of vodka
1 cup grenadine
8 cups lemon-lime soda
Maraschino cherries for garnish

Add the vodka and grenadine to a pitcher. Stir to combine. Pour in the lemon-lime soda and gently stir briefly. Add to ice-filled glasses and pop a cherry into each glass before serving. Serves 8.

Nutrition

Chalupa Recipe – Taco Bell Copycat

Emma Chapman — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:40:00 +0000

A traditional chalupa is fried masa dough shaped like a little boat topped with simply salsa, cheese and shredded lettuce. Chalupa means ‘boat.’

If you love the Taco Bell Chalupa supreme, this is a copycat version you can make at home by combining a deep fried tortilla shell (similar to flatbread) with seasoned ground beef, sour cream, cheese, lettuce and tomato. We love to make this chalupa recipe at home. And it’s easy to customize with all sorts of different taco fillings such as ground chicken or vegetarian fillings.

Related: Homemade Arepas, Tostadas, Elotes and Margarita Cocktail.

Ingredients

Chalupa shells – Fried of baked.
Ground beef – seasoned with Taco seasoning
Shredded cheese – we like to use cheddar or a Mexican blend.
Sour cream – This optional ingredient adds a creamy layer. This can be substituted for plain Greek yogurt.
Lettuce – shredded iceburg lettuce adds crunch to the recipe. Or use any type of lettuce or shredded cabbage.
Tomato – You may use chopped tomatoes or salsa.

You can add other toppings like salsa, pico de gallo or guacamole too!

What are Chalupas?

Chalupas are a traditional food originating from South-Central Mexico including the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Guerrero and Oaxaca. They are made with flat fried dough and filled with meats, cheeses, salsa and shredded lettuce.

The Taco Bell version is Americanized, more of a Tex-Mex style meal, and combines the shell of a chalupa with the fillings of a taco. There are many ways to customize the fillings in a chalupa.

How to make Chalupas

Cook the ground beef, seasoning with the taco seasoning, on medium high heat until cooked through. No pink should remain. Shred the cheese, lettuce and cut up the tomatoes.

Fry / heat your chalupa shell according to whichever method you prefer (three options below).

Fill the shell with the cooked beef, sour cream, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Serve warm.

Tips and Substitutions

Ground beef can be substituted for any ground meat like turkey or chicken.
I like to use store bought chalupa shells (which you can also buy online) but if you want to make your own try this whole wheat flatbread recipe and then use one of the methods below for frying the chalupas after they are baked.
To make this chalupa recipe vegetarian you could use refried beans or black beans in place of the beef.
Other great chalupa fillings include: carnitas, al pastor, or barbacoa.
This recipe is best served the day it is made. If you want to make these ahead I recommend making / prepping the fillings and toppings and then heating the shells when you are ready to eat.

More Tex-Mex and Latin American Recipes

Best Way to Cook Chalupa Shells

There are three ways to warm / fry chalupa shells: oven, air fryer or stove top. You can see the results of these methods in the photo above (from right: oven, air fryer, and two stove top).

Oven Method- Heat oven to 425°F. Brush both sides of the shell with a little oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Then place in a taco holder or similar device to help keep it’s shape.
Air Fryer Method- Air fry at 400°F for 3 minutes. Then place in a taco holder or similar device to help keep it’s shape.
Stove Top Method- Add a few teaspoons of oil to a pan and heat over medium/high heat. Pan fry the shell for 1-2 minutes on both sides or until browned. Placed folded in half until ready to fill.

In my opinion the best way is to pan fry on the stove top. However, if you are cooking many at once then I would recommend the oven so they can all be warm at the same time as chalupas are best served warm.

Chalupa

A soft, fried taco shell with meat, sour cream, cheese, lettuce and tomato

Course lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American, Mexican

Keyword chalupa

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings

Calories 596kcal

Author Emma Chapman

Ingredients

4 chalupa shells
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
½ cup sour cream
1 cup cheese
2 cups lettuce
2 roma tomatoes

Instructions

Cook the ground beef, seasoning with the taco seasoning, on medium high heat until cooked through. No pink should remain.
Shred the cheese, lettuce and cut up the tomatoes.
Fry / heat your chalupa shell according to whichever method you prefer (three options below).
Fill the shell with the cooked beef, sour cream, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Serve warm.

Notes

How to cook chalupa shells:

Oven Method- Heat oven to 425°F. Brush both sides of the shell with a little oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Then place in a taco holder or similar device to help keep it’s shape.

Air Fryer Method- Air fry at 400°F for 3 minutes. Then place in a taco holder or similar device to help keep it’s shape.

Stove Top Method- Add a few teaspoons of oil to a pan and heat over medium/high heat. Pan fry the shell for 1-2 minutes on both sides or until browned. Placed folded in half until ready to fill.

Other Notes:

You can substitute the ground beef for other ground meats like turkey or chicken. Or replace the meat with seasoned black beans or refried beans for a vegetarian option.

You can substitute the sour cream for plain greek yogurt.

Nutrition

Midori Sour

Elsie Larson — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

If you love an Amaretto Sour or Whiskey Sour, it’s time to try our Midori Sour recipe! You’ll love the melon flavor and the intense green color of this 1980s cocktail. You won’t need sour mix for this recipe. It’s a great fruity cocktail that isn’t overly sweet.

Ingredients

Midori Melon Liqueur – A sweet bright green liqueur made using:
Vodka – Choose a high quality unflavored vodka.
Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed.
Lime Juice – Fresh squeezed.
Club Soda – Or soda water to top. You may also use a lemon-lime soda like Sprite.
Lemon Wheel – As garnish.

The best cocktail glass for a Midori Sour is a Collins glass or an old fashioned glass.

What is Midori?

Midori is a Japanese melon flavored liqueur made from Japanese muskmelons and yubari fruit. These are infused in neutral grain spirits. After that, they are blended with brandy and sugar and the addition of green food coloring to make Midori.

Midori tastes like a sweet, melon flavored liqueur. It was first launched in 1978 by Suntory, who is well known for Japanese whiskeys and beer.

The Midori Sour was created soon after the launch of Midori and was very popular all through the 1980s and 1990s.

How to Make

In a cocktail shaker with ice, add Midori, vodka, lemon juice and lime juice.

Shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain and pour into a glass with fresh ice.

Top it off with a splash of club soda or lemon-lime soda.

Garnish with a slice of lemon.

Tips for Making

Variations – Japanese Slipper: If you swap the vodka for triple sec you will make a Japanese Slipper cocktail. Other popular variations are the Amaretto Sour and Whiskey Sour.
Garnish Ideas – Add a maraschino cherry, fresh citrus like limes or a candy cane for the holidays.
Stir – If you don’t have a shaker, you can also mix this cocktail with a quick stir. Wait to add the soda until after you’ve stirred.
Substitutions – If you don’t have vodka, you can also use white rum or the spirit of your choice in its place.
Egg Whites – You can add an egg white to the cocktail shaker to create a frothy version of this drink. Some recipes include the egg white, but it’s up to you what you prefer.