Dirty Sodas Are A Utah Tradition Turned Nationwide Trend
I’ll begin today’s post about how to make a Dirty Diet Coke with a disclaimer: there will be a lot of soda talk throughout this post, mainly about my personal favorite variety, Diet Coke. I say this because the last time I had the audacity to mention Diet Coke on my blog, the comments got a little out of control.
One of the many valuable lessons I took away from my experience with addiction and recovery was that most things are best enjoyed in moderation. I’m a happier, more well-adjusted person when I operate that way (within reason, of course), and that includes allowing myself to enjoy my favorite diet soda from time to time.
So now that we’ve covered that, let’s take a look at the specific soda-related topic we’ll be discussing in this post: “dirty” sodas.
Related: How To Unload A 12-Pack of Soda Into Your Fridge in 10 Seconds!
What Are Dirty Sodas?
A dirty soda is simply a soda-based concoction with additional flavorings or ingredients, which could include other sodas, milk or cream, simple syrup, fruit purees, etc. It’s rather like an Italian soda or ice cream float.
Dirty sodas have long been a phenomenon where I live, beginning with a small soda stand called Swig in St. George, Utah. Swig has become so popular that other soda shops have emerged all over Utah, and now the trend is spreading across the country.
There are now several drive-thru soda shacks throughout Utah and beyond, including Swig, Quench It, Sodalicious, and FiiZ. But if you’re looking for savings over convenience, dirty sodas are equally delicious when made at home, and they’re easy to make too!
As many of the soda shacks here in Utah sell frosted sugars in addition to dirty sodas, it only makes sense to enjoy one with a homemade sour cream cookie — it could make a great Super Bowl party treat! There are a million different flavor and soda combinations out there, but this dirty Diet Coke recipe is my personal favorite!
The Best Dirty Diet Coke Recipe
Ingredients:
- Ice
- 1 (12-ounce) can Diet Coke
- Lime wedge
- 2 Tbsp coconut coffee creamer (or 1 Tbsp coconut syrup + 2 Tbsp heavy cream)
Directions:
Fill a large glass with ice, then slowly pour the Diet Coke over the ice. Squeeze the lime wedge into the cup, add the creamer (or syrup and cream), then stir. Add more lime or creamer to taste, if desired.
Sometimes I’ll double the amounts above if I’m making it in my 40-ounce Stanley tumbler, but other times the standard recipe is just the right size.
Related: 13 Useful Reasons To Keep A Can Of Coke In Your Fridge
More Delicious Dirty Soda Combos To Try
Half the fun of making dirty sodas at home is mixing and matching different sodas and add-ins. Try mixing different sodas with your choice of syrups, citrus, and cream. Here are some ideas to get you started, but feel free to dream up new ideas of your own!
More Ideas You'll Love
- Orange Creamsicle: Orange soda + vanilla coffee creamer
- Raspberry Dream: Dr. Pepper + raspberry syrup + coconut coffee creamer
- Butterbeer: Root beer + butterscotch syrup + vanilla coffee creamer
- Cherry Limeade: Sprite + cherry syrup + juice of half a lime
Have you tried a “dirty soda” yet?
We mix Sherbet (any flavor) with Sprite soda. We call it a Sherbet freeze
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Unfortunately coconut creamer is not available anywhere. So with that said tried the coconut syrup and cream. Guess what? It curdled. Then it occurred to me that lime juice + cream equals curdling. Citric acid doesn’t mix well with dairy. May I suggest using plain unflavored non-dairy liquid creamer. Tried and succeeded.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Coconut milk and creamer are interchangable. Like coffee creamer and half and half. This would be a great way to add creaminess to a drink without it curdling, I guess.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I tried this with regular Coke and half&half cream. My cream curdled. Is there a trick I’m missing?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am definitely trying!! P.S. not this subject but just want to pass it on; Jillee, you look absolutely darling with your cute floral top and jeans. Sorry if I embarrass you! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.how is this different from the coke float or beer float?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this drink and have never been a fan of Diet Coke. I use the sugar free syrups – coconut and lime. I ordered from Amazon. Thanks, Jill for another good idea.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Another easy one that my daughter and I have used is to mix some heavy cream (whipping cream) into a glass of nice cold root beer and it tastes like an awesome root beer float.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh, try a vanilla Dr Pepper! Dr Pepper and regular vanilla, like for cooking not the syrup kind unless you really like it sweet. I’m a coke and lemon nut and have been for 30+ years. But I really like the lemon so it’s usually a whole lemon juiced and a can of coke. One other thing I like on occasion is a ginger ale with blackberry flavor or cranberry. But they are now selling them in cans but you can’t get the blackberry one very often, so you have to make it yourself.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love me a dirty diet coke! My fav is a vanilla cream zero – once found at my local DQ in Texas! (Coke, vanilla syrup and a splash of milk).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been doing this for awhile on Fridays. All the flavors of Diet Coke haven’t been in stores since the Pandemic- the others have come back. I’ve been doing my own version of the Cherry Diet Coke- just add the Grenadine and the Maraschino cherries. I recently learned how to make my own Coconut syrup – its impossible to find in the Midwest. You just boil 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar for 3-5 minutes. Then add 2T of the Coconut Flavoring ( by the spices). I’m so glad I learned how to make the Coconut Syrup. We’ve also made Italian Sodas – just add ice, club soda, the flavored syrups , half & half and top with whipped cream. They’re another fun treat to make.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t know what the deal is but the only place I could even find the coconut syrup in stores was in Utah. That’s why I was so glad to learn how to make my own. Another blog I follow Cincyshopper had the post about it and how to diy with the coconut syrup.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We have always liked Dr Pepper with milk in it, from some idea long ago, so dirty soda doesn’t seem too odd to us. Can you give some suggested proportions/ratios for the added ingredients? Is it just a splash of each of the additions?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.All I can say is, WOW!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would love to give this drink a try. It looks so refreshing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I guess we’re a lot dirtier in Wisconsin – I assumed these would have alcohol in them.
But these do sound like fun to try – I can see making a “dirty soda bar” and putting out all different syrups and purees and sodas for party guests to make their own combos. That could be a really fun party treat!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Actually this sounds a lot like Missouri too. The way people are here – with adding alcohol to their drinks and even flavored waters.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sounds like a fun addition to a ‘Harry Potter’ party!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.“back in the day” I used to make banana 7-Up! SOOO good!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love Coke (or Diet Coke) with Hershey’s chocolate syrup in it! I also used to drink half root beer and half orange soda…..tastes yummy. Also at Christmas time I drink egg nog & 7 up. And if my tummy is upset I drink a ginger ale float with vanilla ice cream.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.nice information.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m thinking MEXICAN Coke!ai try not to buy it often but it works to cut off a migraine. Maybe I need a case…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am a coconut FIEND so this is something I can totally jump on board with! I need to make Dirty Diet Coke immediately…maybe with some coconut rum *gasp!* ;)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.As soon as I read half and half all I could think about was Laverne & Shirley with the Pepsi & milk.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The idea of a “dirty” drink has been going for decades in bars! The tradition is to use 1/3 c of combined lime & coconut syrups (regular or sugar free), 1/3 c half & half (or fat free half & half), lots of ice, and 12 oz soda. Easy Peasy! And the diet version tastes amazing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Never gonna give my pop!! Your okay in my book Jillee!! Thanks for the ideas!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.same
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I actually just stopped at Swigg for a dirty Dr Pepper and cookies last night.mid recommend you keep the puréed fruit, use the recipe listed above, and drizzle those cookies with it! So delicious!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Definitely chocolate Syrup! It’s awesome in coke, Dr Pepper, Pepsi or in club soda with lots of crushed ice and a splash of half and half…..yum!!!!! Obviously the club soda us the best one with chocolate syrup and a little splash of 1/2 & 1/2, tastes exactly like an old fashion egg cream from NY
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How much lime juice and syrup do you add in, please? Can’t wait to get everything at the market tomorrow! Thank you.
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