Food
What’s Up With Dirty Sodas? The Hype Around The Internet’s Newest Drink Obsession, Explained
Photo courtesy Delish/Pinterest
Food
What’s Up With Dirty Sodas? The Hype Around The Internet’s Newest Drink Obsession, Explained
Why sip on morning coffee when you can grab a cool 32-ounce cup of soda?
If you’ve traversed the Internet at all over the past couple years, you might have noticed a somewhat bewildering drink trend. (No, we aren’t talking about pickle cocktails or jalapeno-infused wine.)
Rather, think of a dirty martini with its signature splash of olive brine, only it’s a cup of Dr. Pepper with coconut cream, vanilla syrup, and a slice of fresh lime. Dubbed “dirty sodas,” these supped-up soft drinks combine classic pop flavours with added syrups, citrus, and creamers (from heavy cream to Coffee-Mate).
The term dirty soda is believed to have been coined by Nicole Tanner, founder of the Utah-based soda chain, Swig. Despite the desert heat, Utah’s connection to dirty sodas runs deeper than a simple love for a cold bev.
The state is home to an estimated 2 million Mormons. As part of the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latte-day Saints (LDS), Mormons don’t consume hot beverages, including coffee and non-herbal tea. In the alleged words of LDS founder Joseph Smith, hot drinks are "not for the body or belly." As such, many followers of the religion—as well as many other Utahns—turn to soda to get their caffeine or sugar fix.
@dailymailentertainment What exactly is a dirty soda? The women behind Secret Lives of Mormon Wives take us inside their favorite guilty pleasure🥤👀 #secretlivesofmormonwives #hulu #realitytv #mormon #swig #utah #coolsips #dirtysoda ♬ Rock and Roll Session - Canal Records JP
Dirty sodas have undoubtedly risen alongside the popularity of Utah-based reality shows, like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW) and the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
Cast members are frequently shown passing through drive-throughs or sitting down inside a soda shop to have drama-fuelled blowout fights. Swig even recently dropped a SLOMW-inspired soda, aptly named “Dirty Little Secret.”
Want to give a dirty soda a try without heading south of the border? Stop by Crumbl Cookies—another American staple—to try one of over 40 new sodas. Or, mix one up at home!
Here are a few popular combinations to serve up:
Cherry-Vanilla
- Dr. Pepper
- Vanilla syrup
- Cherry syrup
- Coconut cream
- Lime wedge (optional)
Strawberry-Lime
- Sprite
- Strawberry syrup or purée
- Lime
- Coconut cream
Creamsicle
- Orange soda (such as Fanta)
- Vanilla syrup
- Heavy cream
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