Thanks to the popularity of TikTok trends and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, it feels like there’s a dirty soda shop on every corner in Phoenix lately. While that’s not quite true, plenty of new ones have opened and we don’t see the popularity waning.
For those who remember the first wave of shops gracing Mesa and Gilbert nearly eight years ago, you know this isn’t a new concept. But now that dirty sodas have become Instagram famous, everyone is talking about the simple act of mixing cream and syrup into an every-day commercial cola.
The drink originated in Utah, created mainly for members of religious communities looking to abstain from alcohol and coffee. The drink quickly spread beyond any religious and geographical bounds thanks to social media. Add the popularity of the beverage to a city where triple-digit temperatures are the norm each summer, and these customizable, refreshing sodas are likely here to stay.
What is Dirty Soda
At its core, a dirty soda is surprisingly simple. The base is a classic soda of your choice be that Dr. Pepper, Coke, Sprite, and so on. Then syrups and cream get added to the mix, though you won’t always find dairy in it. In essence, think about what you might add to a coffee drink, and add sub the java for Pepsi or Mountain Dew instead. While it might sound sickly sweet from the description, it can work really well…