Dirty Soda: Why It’s Trending and How to Make It at Home
- By Gina Huynh,
- February 17th 2026
Dirty sodas first became popular through Utah-based soda shops, where custom soda menus and drive-thru soda bars became a local staple. As demand has grown, many of these soda shops are expanding beyond Utah, and you will now see dirty sodas featured on menus at fast food restaurants and drink shops across the country, introducing the trend to new audiences.
A dirty soda is a soda-based drink made by adding flavored syrups, cream or milk, and often fresh citrus to a carbonated beverage. Served over ice and finished with a creamy swirl, it creates a smooth, indulgent twist on everyday soda with its signature look and taste. You can also enjoy dirty sodas without added sugar by pairing diet soda with Torani Sugar Free Syrups or Sugar Free Liquid Drink Enhancers, creating a flavorful drink that fits a low or no-sugar lifestyle.
Common dirty soda bases include:
- Cola
- Lemon-lime soda
- Orange soda
- Root beer
- Club soda or sparkling water
Dirty sodas can be customized in countless ways, from light and fruity to rich and indulgent. Fruity versions often feature flavors like coconut, strawberry, mango, or lime, while more indulgent versions lean into dessert-inspired syrups such as toasted marshmallow, chocolate chip cookie dough, or vanilla. Whether you prefer something refreshing or something sweet and creamy, dirty sodas can be tailored to match any flavor preference.
Why Are Dirty Sodas Trending?
Dirty sodas continue to trend for several reasons. They fit perfectly into today’s drink culture because they are easy to make at home, highly customizable, visually appealing for social media, non-alcoholic, and inspired by café-style beverages.
Social media has amplified the craze, with viral moments such as Dua Lipa’s pickle dirty soda inspiring fans to recreate and share their own versions online. The trend also reached a national audience when Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was featured on Good Morning America, showing viewers how to make a dirty soda at home.
The combination of regional popularity, social media exposure, and national features has helped dirty sodas move from a Utah favorite to a widely recognized trend across the country.
How to Make a Dirty Soda at Home
When it comes to flavoring dirty sodas, Torani Sugar Free Liquid Drink Enhancers offer a convenient option alongside Torani Original and Sugar Free Syrups. The liquid drink enhancers deliver the same great sugar free flavor you expect from Torani syrups, but in a more concentrated, portable format. They are ideal for making dirty sodas on the go or adding flavor to soda when you are out at a restaurant, in the car, or at an event.
Making a dirty soda is quick and requires just a few ingredients. For this recipe, we are making a Coconut Dirty Soda using Torani Sugar Free Coconut Liquid Drink Enhancer, though Torani Coconut or Sugar Free Coconut Syrup work just as well!
Ingredients:
- Ice
- Diet Coke
- Torani Sugar Free Coconut Liquid Drink Enhancer
- Splash of cream
- Lime
- Optional: toasted coconut
Instructions:
1. Fill a glass with ice
2. Add Diet Coke
3. A squeeze of Torani Sugar Free Coconut Liquid Drink Enhancer
4. Finish with a splash of cream
5. Squeeze of lime
6. Optional: Garnish with toasted coconut
Check out the full recipe on our website here: https://bit.ly/3M7bD9q
Whether you stick to classic flavors or get creative with fruity or dessert-inspired syrups, the fun is in experimenting and finding your own favorite combinations. Grab your favorite Torani flavors, try a new mix at home, and join the dirty soda trend today!
