{{Short description|Soft drink mixture}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} [[File:Dirty Coke.jpg|thumb|Diet Coke with creamer, peach syrup and ice]] '''Dirty soda''' is a drink consisting of soda mixed with cream, flavored syrups or fruit juices. Dirty sodas have been described as "alcohol-free mocktails with optional flavor, cream and fruit add-ins".<ref name="TheDallasMorningNews_DAnnunzio2021">{{cite news |last1=D'Annunzio |first1=Francesca |date=2021-10-07 |title=Utah-based 'dirty soda' chain Swig will make its Texas debut in Collin County next year |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/food/restaurant-news/2021/10/07/utah-based-dirty-soda-chain-swig-will-make-its-texas-debut-in-collin-county-next-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008183612/https://www.dallasnews.com/food/restaurant-news/2021/10/07/utah-based-dirty-soda-chain-swig-will-make-its-texas-debut-in-collin-county-next-year/ |archive-date=2021-10-08 |access-date=2025-12-05 |work=The Dallas Morning News}}</ref>
== History ==
The history of dirty soda is connected to the Mormons, the followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church) primarily based in Salt Lake City, Utah.<ref name="HistoryChannel_2017_Mormons">{{cite web |author= |date=2017-12-20 |title=Mormons |url=https://www.history.com/articles/mormons |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420103820/https://www.history.com/articles/mormons |archive-date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=History Channel}}</ref> Devotees follow various scriptures including the Doctrine and Covenants.<ref name="LDS_BookOfMormon_Intro">{{Cite book |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/introduction?lang=eng |title=The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ |date=2015-03-24 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |pages=vii |language=en |chapter=Introduction |access-date=2025-12-05 |orig-year=1830 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816180813/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/introduction?lang=eng |archive-date=2025-08-16 |url-status=live}}</ref> One section from the Doctrine and Covenants, known as the Word of Wisdom, outlines practices to maintain a healthy body. The text prohibits followers from ingesting certain foods and beverages like alcohol, excessive meat, recreational drugs, and hot drinks, which encompass coffee and tea.<ref name="LDS_DoctrineAndConvenants_S89">{{Cite book |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng&id=p5-p7#p5 |title=Doctrine and Covenants |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |language=en |chapter=Section 89 |access-date=2025-12-05 |orig-year=1835 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805185840/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng&id=p5-p7#p5 |archive-date=2022-08-05 |url-status=live}}</ref> Although the Word of Wisdom does not explicitly mention caffeine, many Mormons have taken to avoiding all caffeinated beverages as both coffee and tea generally contain it; however, this topic has been highly controversial among the Mormon community for some time.<ref name="NPR_Martin2016">{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Michel |date=2016-01-03 |others=Karen Grisby Bates and Matthew Bowman |title=Can Mormons Drink Coca-Cola? |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/01/03/461843938/can-mormons-drink-coca-cola |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241017040939/https://www.npr.org/2016/01/03/461843938/can-mormons-drink-coca-cola |archive-date=2024-10-17 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=NPR |department=All Things Considered}}</ref> In 2012, the LDS Church released an official statement clarifying that the Word of Wisdom does not prohibit caffeine consumption, but the choice to indulge in caffeinated drinks still remains a personal choice among followers today.<ref name="LDSNewsroom_2012">{{cite web |date=2012-08-29 |title=Mormonism in the News: Getting It Right |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/mormonism-news--getting-it-right-august-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727061018/https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/mormonism-news--getting-it-right-august-29 |archive-date=2020-07-27 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}</ref> Cola typically contains caffeine, so some Mormons avoid this kind of soda,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Michael |last2=Grigsby Bates |first2=Karen |date=2016-01-03 |title=Can Mormons Drink Coca-Cola? |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/01/03/461843938/can-mormons-drink-coca-cola |access-date=2026-04-29 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref> while others consume it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fletcher Stack |first=Peggy |author-link=Peggy Fletcher Stack |title=Now official: Mormons may drink Coke, Pepsi |url=https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-09/now-official-mormons-may-drink-coke-pepsi |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=The Christian Century |language=en}}</ref>
===Origins=== As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints avoid common drinks like coffee, tea, and alcohol many view sugar, often in the form of soda, as the community’s preferred vice or social beverage. <ref name="TheNewYorker_Goldfield2024">{{cite magazine |last=Goldfield |first=Hannah |date=2024-10-21 |title=The Unexpected Pleasures of a Dirty Soda |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/10/28/the-unexpected-pleasures-of-a-dirty-soda |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211204702/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/10/28/the-unexpected-pleasures-of-a-dirty-soda |archive-date=2024-12-11 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=The New Yorker}}</ref> While sugary beverages similar to the dirty soda have long been popular among the Mormon community as an alternative to prohibited drinks, it was not until 2010 that the first official dirty soda shop appeared.<ref name="WSUGuardian_Hainser2025">{{cite news |last=Hainzer |first=Ashley |date=2025-03-18 |title=The Origins of Dirty Soda: From Mormonism to Mainstream |url=https://www.wsuguardian.com/article/2025/03/the-origins-of-dirty-soda-from-mormonism-to-mainstream#google_vignette |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922074856/https://www.wsuguardian.com/article/2025/03/the-origins-of-dirty-soda-from-mormonism-to-mainstream |archive-date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=The Wright State Guardian}}</ref> The shop was founded in St. George, Utah by Nicole Tanner, who named it Swig.<ref name="WSUGuardian_Hainser2025"/> Tanner trademarked the term "dirty soda" in 2013 when other companies began copying them.<ref name="UtahBusiness_Tanner2022">{{cite web |last=Tanner |first=Nicole |date=2022-08-04 |title=How Nicole Tanner founded Swig |url=https://www.utahbusiness.com/entrepreneurship/2022/08/04/how-nicole-tanner-founded-one-of-the-biggest-utah-soda-shops/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241021174815/https://www.utahbusiness.com/entrepreneurship/2022/08/04/how-nicole-tanner-founded-one-of-the-biggest-utah-soda-shops/ |archive-date=2024-10-21 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=Utah Business}}</ref>
In 2015, a court battle took place between Swig and their main competitor, Sodalicious, when Swig sued them for reproducing and selling their treats along with using their trademarked "dirty soda" idea.<ref name="TheSaltLakeTribune_Whitehurst2017">{{cite news |last=Whitehurst |first=Lindsay |date=2017-11-08 |title='Dirty soda' Utah court battle ends with legal settlement |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2017/11/08/dirty-soda-utah-court-battle-ends-with-legal-settlement/AP%202017/AP%202017/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526145053/https://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2017/11/08/dirty-soda-utah-court-battle-ends-with-legal-settlement/AP%202017/AP%202017/ |archive-date=2021-05-26 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In response, Sodalicious emphasized how throughout history, the term "dirty" has been attributed to many alcoholic beverages.<ref name=TheSaltLakeTribune_Whitehurst2017/> The suit ended in 2017 with both parties paying their own legal costs; no further details have been made publicly available.<ref name=TheSaltLakeTribune_Whitehurst2017/>
Although "dirty soda" is a recent invention with Swig's trademark, customizing sugary drinks is not. The concept of a dirty soda originates from the early 20th century when soda jerks, who were people operating soda fountains, would combine carbonated water and flavored syrup to create a variety of customized drinks.<ref name="TheChoppingBlock_Fonze2025">{{cite web |last=Fonze |first= |date=2025-02-14 |title=Unleashing the Flavorful World of Dirty Sodas |url=https://www.thechoppingblock.com/blog/unleashing-the-flavorful-world-of-dirty-sodas#:~:text=Origins%20of%20Dirty%20Sodas,concept%20of%20%22dirty%22%20sodas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205213622/https://www.thechoppingblock.com/blog/unleashing-the-flavorful-world-of-dirty-sodas |archive-date=2025-12-05 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=The Chopping Blog}}</ref>
== Geographic distribution and retail presence == Dirty sodas are often still sold at drive-through restaurants.<ref name="SaltLakeMagazine_Pugh2021">{{cite magazine |last=Pugh |first=Jeremy |date=2021-08-09 |title=Utah Field Guide: Dirty Soda |url=https://www.saltlakemagazine.com/utah-field-guide-dirty-soda/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810024623/https://www.saltlakemagazine.com/utah-field-guide-dirty-soda/ |archive-date=2021-08-10 |access-date=2025-12-06 |work=Salt Lake Magazine}}</ref> One shop that has commercialized dirty soda is Swig, founded by Nicole Tanner in St. George, Utah in 2010.<ref name="UtahBusiness_Tanner2022"/>
As dirty soda grew in popularity, a number of specialty soda shops—including Sodalicious, Fiiz, Thirst Drinks, and Quench It!—opened across Utah and neighboring states throughout the mid-2010s.<ref name="Today_Portee2022">{{cite web |last=Portée |first=Alex |date=2022-05-03 |title=What is dirty soda? MomTok's favorite drink is bubbling up across the country |url=https://www.today.com/food/trends/what-is-dirty-soda-rcna26689 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207203425/https://www.today.com/food/trends/what-is-dirty-soda-rcna26689 |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=Today}}</ref><ref name="TheNewYorkTimes_Petersen2021">{{cite news |last=Petersen |first=Victoria |date=2021-12-06 |title=In the Mountain West, the 'Dirty' Soda Rush Is On |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/06/dining/swig-soda-shop-chains.html |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206180114/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/06/dining/swig-soda-shop-chains.html |archive-date=2021-12-06 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="Inc_Weisul2018">{{cite magazine |last=Weisul |first=Kimberly |date=May 2018 |title=How This Entrepreneur Built and Sold Utah's 17-Store 'Dirty Soda' Empire |url=https://www.inc.com/magazine/201805/kimberly-weisul/nicole-tanner-swig.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424124655/https://www.inc.com/magazine/201805/kimberly-weisul/nicole-tanner-swig.html |archive-date=2018-04-24 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=Inc.}}</ref> In the 2020s, the drink began to expand to a national consumer base. Swig opened over 95 locations in at least 15 states, including Idaho, Arizona, Texas, Florida, North Dakota, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri.<ref name="UtahBusiness_Tanner2022" /><ref name="RedStoneFoods_Rothstein2025">{{cite web |last=Rothstein |first=Josh |date=2025-01-10 |title=Dirty Sodas: An Alcohol-Free Twist to New Year's Resolutions |url=https://redstonefoods.com/candy-soda-blog/dirty-sodas-alcohol-free-twist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117170158/https://redstonefoods.com/candy-soda-blog/dirty-sodas-alcohol-free-twist |archive-date=2025-01-17 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=Redstone Foods Inc.}}</ref> The concept has entered the mainstream at national chains. Sonic Drive-In added "dirty soda"–style customization to its menu, allowing customers across the U.S. to add sweet cream and syrup flavors to their sodas.<ref name="Eater_McCarthy2024">{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Amy |date=2024-03-08 |title=What Are Dirty Sodas, and Why Is Everyone Drinking Them? |url=https://www.eater.com/23041658/dirty-soda-trend-tiktok-coffee-mate-creamer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308165415/https://www.eater.com/23041658/dirty-soda-trend-tiktok-coffee-mate-creamer |archive-date=2024-03-08 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=Eater}}</ref> Convenience stores and gas stations such as Buc-ee's and Speedway have also adopted the trend by offering syrups intended for coffee that customers use to craft their own soda.<ref name="WSUGuardian_Hainser2025" />
==Preparation and variations== Dirty sodas consist of a soda mixed with some sort of cream, like half and half or coconut cream. Popular choices for a base soda include Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper,<ref name="SugarAndSoul_Hubbell2022">{{cite web |last=Hubbell |first=Rebecca |date=2022-05-03 |title=Dirty Soda (Popular TikTok Recipe) |url=https://www.sugarandsoul.co/dirty-soda/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518134938/https://www.sugarandsoul.co/dirty-soda/ |archive-date=2022-05-18 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=Sugar and Soul}}</ref> but these can vary by personal preference. Flavored syrup, like vanilla or strawberry, is also added.<ref name="Eater_McCarthy2024" /> The soda may also be topped with a wedge of lime or a cherry.
Brands like Topgolf and Jack in the Box have introduced their own versions of the drink.<ref name="NRN_Thorn2024">{{cite magazine |last=Thorn |first=Bret |date=2024-03-01 |title=Dirty sodas appeal to young experimental restaurant consumers |url=https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/dirty-sodas-appeal-to-young-experimental-restaurant-consumers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251206024834/https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/dirty-sodas-appeal-to-young-experimental-restaurant-consumers |archive-date=2025-12-06 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=Nation's Restaurant News}}</ref> Sonic also offers an option to make any soda on the menu "dirty" by adding coconut cream and lime to their drinks.
== Popularity == While dirty sodas first gained traction within Utah and among Latter-day Saint communities throughout the 2010s, in the past few years they have expanded to other communities due to virality on social media. In December 2021, singer Olivia Rodrigo posted a photo posing with a large dirty soda from Swig. By April 2022, there were over 700,000 videos under the hashtag #dirtysoda on TikTok, reflecting the growing interest in the drink globally.<ref name=Eater_McCarthy2024 />
In September 2024, Hulu released a reality TV show called ''The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'', following a group of young Mormon women. In the series, they depict their lives as Mormons in Utah, and reference dirty soda many times.<ref name="BonAppetit_Bloch2024">{{cite web |last=Bloch |first=Emily |date=2024-09-27 |title=Why Is Everyone Suddenly Obsessed With Dirty Sodas? |url=https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-is-dirty-soda?srsltid=AfmBOooA22RXr18vMHl8ZAhiSQ7SXKLPC7eXqZYpvqpbEXfMv6D7qjwn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927181114/https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-is-dirty-soda |archive-date=2024-09-27 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=Bon Appétit}}</ref> In one episode, cast member Demi Engemann said, "We don't drink alcohol or do drugs, so soda is kind of our vice."<ref name=BonAppetit_Bloch2024/> Another cast member, Taylor Paul, said, "In every other state [the way] Starbucks [is] just so busy, that's how our soda shops are. That's like their [locals'] treat."<ref name=BonAppetit_Bloch2024/>
The popularity of dirty soda has grown beyond Utah and Mormons. In 2024, Coffee-Mate partnered with Dr. Pepper to sell a Dirty Soda Coconut Lime flavored creamer.<ref name="Today_Martin2024">{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Heather |date=2024-03-07 |title=Coffee Mate teams up with Dr Pepper to make creamer specifically for dirty soda |url=https://www.today.com/food/trends/coffee-mate-dr-pepper-dirty-soda-creamer-rcna142245 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307164829/https://www.today.com/food/trends/coffee-mate-dr-pepper-dirty-soda-creamer-rcna142245 |archive-date=2024-03-07 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=Today}}</ref>
By 2025, the trend extended to Canada, with stores and trailer businesses selling dirty sodas in Alberta and British Columbia.<ref name="CBCNews_Deschamps2025">{{cite news |last=Deschamps |first=Tara |date=2025-08-11 |title=Dirty soda trend arrives in Canada as ''Mormon Wives'' series shakes up interest |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/dirty-soda-trend-arrives-in-canada-as-mormon-wives-series-shakes-up-interest-1.7605681 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250811135409/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/dirty-soda-trend-arrives-in-canada-as-mormon-wives-series-shakes-up-interest-1.7605681 |archive-date=2025-08-11 |access-date=2025-08-11 |website=CBC News}}</ref>
==See also== * {{anl|Affogato}} * {{anl|Carbonated milk}} * {{anl|Cream soda}} * {{anl|Doodh soda}} * {{anl|Egg cream}} * {{anl|Hard seltzer}} * {{anl|Hard soda}} * {{anl|Ice cream float}} * {{anl|Italian soda}} * {{anl|Milk bar}} * {{anl|Milkis}} * {{anl|Pilk}} * {{anl|Seltzer}} * {{anl|Soda bar}} * {{anl|Soda gembira}} * {{anl|Bandung (drink)}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Soft drink}} Category:Soft drinks Category:Cuisine of Utah Category:Culture of Utah Category:Latter Day Saint culture