SerpApi.Org
It’s fun and super Instagram-friendly.
Key Points
- Dirty soda is a creamy, alcohol-free twist on flavored soda, usually built with a fizzy base, syrups, and a splash of dairy or non-dairy creamer.
- Its appeal comes from how easy it is to personalize, whether you want something fruity, dessert-like, caffeinated, or caffeine-free.
- What started in Utah soda shops has become a national summer trend, boosted by social media, reality TV, and growing availability at major chains.
Forget the Hugo Spritz, Limoncello Spritz, and all the other spritzes. (Just temporarily!) There’s another drink taking the country by storm this summer. With roots in Utah, it went mainstream after appearing on the reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in 2024. TikTokers adopted it, and now you can buy versions of it at national fast food chains and dedicated soda shops like Swig, with 150 locations in 16 states, and Cool Sips, based in New York City. It’s alcohol-free, almost endlessly customizable, and fun to make at home. If you aren’t one of this drink’s many fans already, meet the dirty soda.
Meet Our Expert
- Andrew Moger, founder and CEO of Cool Sips
- Andrea Ramirez, senior manager, customer and consumer market insights at Torani
What Is a Dirty Soda?
A dirty soda is a customized beverage that combines soda, flavored syrups, and cream or non-dairy creamer, says Andrea Ramirez, a senior manager at Torani, a company that makes syrups both for cafes and consumers. “They’re a fusion of classic soda fountain culture, coffeehouse-style customization, and modern mixology.” It’s the drink’s creamy element that differentiates dirty soda from a flavored soda.
Whether you’re making a dirty soda at home or ordering one at a dirty soda shop, the flavor options are almost endless. At Cool Sips, a mini-chain based in New York City that also does catering, founder and CEO Andrew Moger says that the most popular variety is the Dirty Dirty, a classic dirty soda with a Dr. Pepper base, coconut, lime, and vanilla cream. “P-Town—made with Starry, Blue Raspberry, and Watermelon—is our sweetest drink; it tastes like a blue Jolly Rancher. Some customers make it dirty with vanilla creamer. And our Dirty Shirley is the classic Shirley Temple with a creamy twist.”
National fast-food chains are also joining the dirty soda party. McDonald’s features a Sprite Berry Blast, Dirty Dr. Pepper, and Orange Dream, all topped with cold foam for the creamy twist that makes the drink dirty. The Dunkin’ Dirty Soda combines Pepsi, coffee milk, and cold foam for what the chain calls “a drink with classic soda flavor and a smooth, creamy, coffee-forward finish.”
Why Dirty Sodas Are So Popular Right Now
According to Torani, between 2025 and 2026, dirty soda awareness among U.S. consumers grew from 56% to 75% and trial doubled from 21% to 42%. The drink’s mainstream popularity can be traced back to 2010, when Swig, a Utah-based beverage shop, introduced the format, says Ramirez. “It quickly resonated in the Mountain West region, where soda shops became the non-alcoholic counterpart to cocktail bars for a generation of consumers seeking fun, indulgent, and Instagram-worthy beverages.”
The drink was introduced to the masses when The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered in 2024, and its current popularity can be attributed to a few factors. First, it’s that customization potential, says Moger. “People love to have something that’s uniquely their own. Whether they start with soda, lemonade, energy drinks, tea, or more, there are countless ways customers can customize with syrups, creams, or add-ins to create their own signature drink that represents themselves.”
Dirty sodas also nail the vibe of the moment. They have a retro, old-timey soda shop appeal that’s attractive in an era that’s big on nostalgia. They also hit the mark for people embracing “little treat” culture, says Ramirez. “Dirty soda delivers a convenient and affordable moment of indulgence that feels elevated without being overly complicated. Even if it’s a new beverage style to you, there’s something that’s inherently familiar about it.”
They’re also alcohol-free and can be caffeine-free, which is appealing to many consumers, especially younger ones.
Finally, they aren’t too serious. “Consumers are looking for customizable beverages that feel fun, craveable, unique, and social-media friendly. Dirty soda checks all those boxes,” says Ramirez.
Read the original article on Real Simple
