Dirty Sodas, the fizzy, creamy, and famous drink you didn't know you needed
Think of them like Italian sodas, which are basically club soda and flavored syrup, but with popular soft drinks like Diet Coke or Sprite. The trend gained serious momentum thanks to Utah¡¯s large Mormon community, where alcohol and coffee are typically no-gos, so people needed another way to get their fix of something fun and indulgent.
People are always ranting about the anti-sugar things and collective obsession with wellness (cue the endless hydration tips), but on the other hand, millions of Americans are still sipping on soda every day. And a growing number of these soda lovers are indulging in something that sounds pretty wild: "dirty sodas." If you¡¯ve been scrolling through TikTok/ Instagram lately, you¡¯ve probably seen this sweet concoction taking over, well mainly it became viral in 2022, but seems like it's back again!
What is dirty soda?
So, what exactly is a dirty soda? Imagine a fizzy drink mixed with coffee creamer and flavoured syrups. Yup, it¡¯s as extra as it sounds. It started as a guilty pleasure in Utah¡ªhome to lots of people who steer clear of alcohol and caffeine¡ªand now it¡¯s a legit trend with businesses like Swig (a dirty soda chain) popping up all over. Swig even opened its 50th location in 2023, proving that people are very serious about this beverage. Even Sonic got in on the action last year with its "Dirty Drinks" menu, letting soda addicts add sweet cream and every syrup under the sun to their sodas.
So, what¡¯s the deal with dirty sodas? Do they taste amazing, or is it all just hype? Honestly, the answer is complicated.
Dirty soda - More than just a drink!
The whole dirty soda thing kicked off in the mid-2010s in Utah. Shops started serving up fountain sodas mixed with cream, syrups, and whatever else people could dream up. Think of them like Italian sodas, which are basically club soda and flavored syrup, but with popular soft drinks like Diet Coke or Sprite. The trend gained serious momentum thanks to Utah¡¯s large Mormon community, where alcohol and coffee are typically no-gos, so people needed another way to get their fix of something fun and indulgent.
"Dirty sodas have become more than just a drink¡ªthey're practically a lifestyle in Utah," as Michelle Leung wrote for Vice in 2016, back when dirty sodas were all the rage. These drinks aren't just for sipping¡ªthey're part of the culture. You take the kids for one after their school, grab one on a first date, or hit up the soda shop after work as a little reward for surviving the day.
Fast forward a few years, and these virgin spiked sodas are now full-on internet sensations. With shops like Swig and Sodalicious spreading beyond Utah, dirty sodas are officially a national thing.
What is it in the dirty soda?
So, what's actually in a dirty soda? The OG recipe (though its exact origin is still fuzzy) is simple but kinda genius: take a Diet Coke, pour it over ice, add a splash of coconut syrup, lime juice, and half-and-half. Some places use coconut-flavored coffee creamer instead of the syrup, but the vibe is the same. These days, there are thousands of variations, with all kinds of creams, syrups, fruits, and extras mixed in. The beauty of the dirty soda is that you can totally customize it to match your wildest cravings.
So, whether you're a soda purist or just want to try something totally new and TikTok-approved, dirty sodas are here to shake up your beverage game.
I don¡¯t know about others, but if it ever comes to India I am definitely going to try this, and there are high chances that I might like it.
With 3 years of experience, specialises in entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle. She has a talent for spotting emerging trends and turning stories viral, especially within the world of Bollywood.
