Dirty soda? Yuuuuck. I hear this and can't help but think of a 32-ounce Big Gulp with a dirt-covered plastic lid attached to a chewed, lipstick-stained straw in a gutter on Las Vegas Blvd. Dramatic? Maybe. But you've probably never lived in Vegas.
Dirty soda - for any of you, like me, who are not in the know - is the antithesis of anything that sounds like what it would take to make a beverage "dirty." Drugs? Nope. Booze? Nuh-uh. Not even the espresso you snuck into your naughty little chai tea latte on your way to work last week. I was digging into the research, thinking I was stumbling onto something a little saucy - safe, mind you - but maybe a little extra, when all of a sudden, a lame trombone wailed "waahhhh waaahhhhhhh" in my head.
Beyond the Name, a Deliciously Customizable Treat
Dirty sodas, while I'm sure delicious, aren't as interesting as they sound. Simply put, they're a soda spiked with cream and some sort of flavored syrup - and people can't get enough. Dirty sodas have been trending on and off over social media for the last couple of years. The term "dirty soda' was coined (and even trademarked) by Nicole Tanner, the founder of Swig, a beverage concept from Lehi, Utah. The milky, sweet, and bubbly beverages got a boost in awareness in 2021 when Olivia Rodrigo was spotted on the street with a Swig cup in her hand.
Tanner told Nation's Restaurant News that her go-to drink is Diet Coke with sugar-free coconut syrup, lime juice, and coconut cream. It happens to be on Swig's menu, of course, and is called "The Founder."
Coffee Mate Joins the Craze: A New Creamer for Dirty Soda Lovers
Dr Pepper seems to be favored among many dirty soda fans - no surprise there, as the drink has a near cult-like following in Utah, where dirty sodas have been popularized for almost 15 years.
Even brands like Coffee mate want a piece of the dirty soda action. This week, the brand announced a partnership with Dr Pepper to create a creamer specifically meant to be added to soda (preferably Dr Pepper, of course). The creamer is a coconut lime flavor and seems to mimic the flavors Tanner adds to her signature drink.
A Splurge Worth Savoring? The Calories and Sugar in Dirty Soda
Since Swig's launch, a host of additional soda chains have popped up across the country, including Sodalicious, Twisted, Fiiz, and Sugar - which could conceivably be a nod to how much sugar each of the fizzy drinks contains. With the addition of various syrups and several options for cream, the beverages - based on size and additives - are reported to potentially contain up 1,000 calories per drink. Definitely a splurge item if I've ever seen one.
Beyond Booze: Dirty Soda as a Delicious Indulgence for All
And while these luscious, dessert-like sodas may not be as edgy as they sound, they certainly appeal to the growing demographic of Americans who want alternative ways to indulge without drinking. And with so many ways to customize, these bubbly little delights almost guarantee deliciousity in every sip. I'll be checking out my nearest Swig sometime soon.
