Dirty sodas: The sweet, creamy phenomenon taking over America

Nearly two-thirds of Americans aged 18 to 34 say alcohol consumption negatively affects their health. But what if you could enjoy the taste without the risks? The hottest new trend amongst younger generations is not mocktails or virgin drinks – but dirty sodas.

You can order dirty sodas like a Coke with a slice of lime anywhere, but what about a Diet Coke with lime juice, coconut syrup and coconut cream? Unless you are at a soda shop that serves one of the hottest trends in drinks, you may wind up with a dirty look instead of a dirty soda. Dirty sodas have been popping up on social media and TV for years, and if you haven’t tried one, that needs to change.

A dirty soda is a soda with add-ins. Just about anything is fair game, but the most popular additions are flavored syrups, half-and-half cream and fruit purees. Think of dirty sodas as cocktails without any of the alcohol or hangovers.

There are dirty soda shops nationwide, but that wasn’t always the case. Before all the hype, these soft drink creations were quietly sipped by residents in one small city.

It came from the West

Utah is famous for many things, but perhaps it’s best known as being the home of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For the faithful, being Mormon comes with a few restrictions on their diets, mainly the requirement to abstain from coffee, tea and alcohol. Soda, however, is allowed.

Although many non-Mormons think the Church bans caffeinated sodas, that’s not the case. In fact, soda, even caffeinated soda, is a popular beverage among churchgoers. It’s their afternoon pick-me-ups and the drink of choice for social events. But drinking the same soda day after day is boring.

Nicole Tanner, a Mormon mother of five, had a plan to make soda more exciting. Drawing on her passion for Diet Coke with lime and her frustration with the poor service at her local fast food drive-thru, she decided to open Swig in 2010 in St. George, Utah. Tanner told Nation’s Restaurant News that she wanted to “create an amazing experience with a superior product and make people feel special in that drive-thru line.” She wound up doing that and so much more.

The rise of country-wide popularity

According to a report by The Food Institute, searches for dirty sodas on Yelp were up over 600% from 2023. That’s a lot of momentum, and social media was one of the major driving forces behind the increased interest.

Celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo aren’t afraid to share their love for the drink online. The singer and star of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”  posted a photo of herself holding a Swig cup back in 2021. TikTok creators still post thousands of dirty soda recipes and reviews in 2025.

Dirty sodas became so mainstream through social media that a major soft drink company attempted to capitalize on the trend. In 2022, Pepsi aired a Pilk and Cookies ad featuring a Santa outfit-clad Lindsay Lohan making a dirty soda. Dirty sodas have also been featured on the popular TV show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

Why dirty soda shops are popping up everywhere

The concept may have begun in the mountain states, but soda shops with similar menus have spread nationwide. Some are franchises of Utah chains, and many are independent startups.

The concept’s low-overhead and high-profit-margin business model makes dirty soda shops inexpensive to open, with a ready customer base thanks to social media and changes in drinking habits. With fewer young people choosing to drink alcohol, according to Gallup, the market for exciting and customizable drinks is expanding. While coffee shops can satisfy this craving for personalized beverages, dirty soda shops offer customers many more options.

However, what makes dirty soda shops so attractive to open also means high potential for competition. Still, dirty soda shops can be a rarity outside the mountain states. So, to try out the new trend, you may have to make them yourself.

Build your own dirty soda bar

The good news is that making dirty sodas at home is easy. Whether you plan to mix up a few for yourself or want to add a DIY dirty soda bar to your next event, there’s not much to it. You’ll need soda, syrup, citrus, something creamy and ice.

Everything starts with the soda. A few bottles of regular or Diet Coke, Dr Pepper and Sprite are likely all you need. Buying individual cans or small bottles is worth the extra money to prevent the soda from going flat.

Coconut syrup is a must, and vanilla and cherry syrups give you many options. Sonic’s Ocean Water Soda is a popular drink made with coconut syrup. Swig and Sodalicious use Torani-brand syrups, but you can use your favorite brand. Sugar-free or low-calorie options are great for those who watch their waistlines. You can also easily make syrups at home.

Half-and-half and coconut cream are essential ingredients since they give dirty sodas a rich flavor. You’ll also want to pick up a bag of fresh limes to help balance out the richness of the dairy. Don’t forget the ice. For the most authentic experience, get pebble ice like dirty soda shops use, but crushed ice will also work.

Classic dirty sodas

Each soda shop has its signature recipes, from The Founder at Swig’s, a mix of Diet Coke, lime, coconut syrup and coconut cream, to Sodalicious’s AK Special, made with Dr Pepper, coconut syrup and vanilla syrup. You can find hundreds of dirty soda recipes online, but a great place to start is with easy-to-make classics, like Sonic Dirty Dr Pepper and Cherry Limeade.

Unlike many TikTok culinary trends, dirty sodas aren’t going anywhere. That’s because they are different, doable and delicious. So, visit that new dirty soda shop that just opened, or mix one up at home.