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?
Oh, these “dirty” drinks sound like so much fun! I hadn’t heard of them down here, but I have now. If anyone has a problem, they don’t have to imbibe, right? Thank you, as always.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I really hate diet drinks…the chemicals make my mouth pucker so I drink regular sodas. I guess I’m old fashioned but nothing is better than chocolate syrup in the soda. The old Frederick and Nelson’s in Seattle used to sell it in their restaurants. I used to work for a woman from the east coast who added the half and half to that. Really good and I don’t even want to think about the calories! Now I need to go out a get some of those flavored syrups and chocolate…….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m with you. I can’t comprehend why anyone would consume those deadly sugar substitutes, thinking they’re saving their health in any way. Just have a Coke, ladies. But then, for SURE add some chocolate syrup. It’s also great in root beer…along with some chocolate ice cream.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I quit drinking any kind of soda almost 2 years ago. Previously I had been drinking diet coke or diet pepsi with fresh lime in it for probably 40 years. I just loved the taste of lime in it. I was glad when they came out with the lime flavor already in it. Still will get a craving once in awhile but haven’t caved to it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Karol!! The fresh twist of lime is still better than the Lime Cokes… Thats my fav way to have a pop too! (can u tell I’m from Chicago?) LOL!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love Swig! I live in Saratoga Springs, Utah, but I will go clear to Orem for one! A Dirty Dr Pepper
Please log in or create a free account to comment.(this means coconut syrup added) with raspberry purée, cream, and packed full of ice is yummiest!
But for home, I’ve created a sugar free drink that is so good and refreshing. It’s green tea with Cinnamon Vanilla Jordan’s Skinny Syrup and Rose’s Line Juice, full of ice. I LOVE it! I drink it all day.
Never heard of these. Sounds good
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s like a virgin paralyzer! Coconut milk would be a great deal
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been using Coconut Milk and lime juice in Diet Coke with Splenda for over a year. Aspartme and I don’t get along.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I tend to try and avoid fizzy drinks too. But just today I treated myself to a can of diet coke!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I agree, all things in moderation and if I am going to indulge it will be on something worth while! This could be a very dangerous thing, hahaha. To make myself feel better I begin and end each day enjoying a large glass of water with lemon.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been buying Torani and DaVinci sugar free syrups for years. Best price is at Cash & Carry (I believe Smart & Final might be the same store). Even Ross and Marshall’s often have them. Great in coffees, sugar free baking, etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Valerie :) just to butt in and add to the list…I live miles from anything resembling civilization, so I buy both brands of syrups online from Netrition.com. They have a lot of low-carb goodies at pretty reasonable prices! :) My favorite is DaVinci French Vanilla…I use it in place of extract I made in everything! Made the mistake of using some 190 proof grain alcohol the clerk at the liquor store recommended….eww! I’m going back to vodka for extracts! LOL
Please log in or create a free account to comment.BTW, just curious, why is pebble ice better?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Nina :) I’m just guessing, but the smaller the ice, the better it tastes…lol just a personal preference, and I think that may be Jillee’s reason too :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love visiting Utah and the first place I go is a dirty drink place. Love them and all I can say to the people who say it sounds awful is..”don’t knock it till you try it” They are the best!! Thanks so much for the recipes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh yes! Cuba Libre or rum and coke… 1 part white rum, 3 parts coke and a squeeze of lime :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi, I know the pull… health vs. happiness ;-) I have to hide my cravings for cold, sweet drinks! I can hide from others but not from myself though :-) so I try to strike a balance with natural fruit purees mixed with chilled club soda, they taste great and do the trick most of the times… Your post brought up some sweet childhood memories when life was simpler…. and we occasionally enjoyed soda floats. Basically, the recipe calls for a scoop of vanilla flavored ice cream in a tall glass topped with chilled coke but works well with orange and lime flavored sodas too.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I drink Diet Coke with Lime as my only soda preference. It is addictive by itself, but the addition of coco sounds like it will take it over the top. In a hypnotic state already – Must go to World Market. Must buy Torani Cocnut syrup.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I agree all things in moderation and this looks really good. I will definitely try it. Torani also has lemon and lime syrups so I might try those instead of the sweetened lime juice.
It’s sad that even with your up front disclaimer, warning people about the topic, some people still feel the need to tell you how wrong/bad it is. If you don’t like it people move on. No need to tell the rest of us you don’t approve.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Amen, Vikki, thank you!! Going to Amazon to order my syrups!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Second that, Vikki! Whiners and grammar correctors really annoy me! If they’d fix themselves one of these, their bad hair day might just improve! :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee, thanks for your opening comments to your readers.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The first amendment may guarantee EVERYONE the right to an opinion but it doesn’t recommend forcing that opinion on everyone else.
Some of your followers occasionally get heated in driving home their opinions.
Your blog offers free advice and information to your followers. It does not require readers to use the advice.
I can pick suggestions that make sense to me and choose to ignore others, without denouncing OGTjillee for information I don’t use.
CIVILITY MATTERS!
exactly!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here is something I did years ago and it is still a winner 50/50 Coke and Lemon Twist . I am not fond of “neat”coke but this is a winner on hot days. Diet drinks leave a bad aftertaste but this work with sugar free sodas as well
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Last year for my husband’s 40th I made dirty Dr. Pepper since Dr. Pepper is his favorite drink of all time. We used vanilla syrup with half-and-half. He still prefers just plain Dr. Pepper, but oh, I LOVED the dirty version. I had to stop buying the ingredients because it really was addicting. Thanks for your post, Jillee and Kaitlyn. I just might have to check out the sugar cookie as well….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh my do I let my husband see this? He loves to have “different” things to drink, but he can be come obsessed, oh what to do…..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is nothing new. In my younger years (a long time ago) we had ironport cream; ironport cherry, cherry cokes and many other concoctions. That’s what you get when you have an old fashioned drug store with lunch counter. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We did too. We called the drinks according to the syrup put into the coke, eg “cherry coke, etc except for the coke that had all the flavour shots and this we called a “garbage coke”.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It is interesting, also that lime is added. Add some rum and you have a “Cuba Libre” a popular cocktail of the ’50’s.
My Mom had a saying “what goes around, comes around”. Its nice to have revivals (of some things).
I have never had a Dirty Diet Coke, nor ever even heard of it, but after reading comments on how people are “hooked” on them, I thought of shaking it up a bit by using Coconut Rum, lime, and Rumchata in lieu of half & half. I mean, c’mon…. if you want to get down and dirty, go big or go home!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Now this is what I’m talking about! I was hooked on trying the Dirty Diet Coke, but I may have to try the Adult version!! Thanks for the original recipes and the tweaked suggestion!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m hoping to try one this week. They don’t sell the coconut flavor syrup where I live. Ive only seen it a store by my Aunts in Utah. I love the Diet Coke with cherry flavor. It masks the sweetener taste. I’m headed out to Utah this week, so we’ll see if I can get my hands on a dirty Diet Coke.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In my opinion, diet soda is better than soda with sugar. My doctor says one a day won’t hurt anyone. This sounds amazing and I’m putting ingredients on today’s grocery list. I saw a feature on Dr. Oz featuring Bob Harper (Biggest Loser trainer) with a one per day Skinny Root Beer Float of diet root beer with 1 T. cream in a very, very cold glass or mug. Your treats sound better. I’m going to try each one. I drink Zevia as it’s a stevia-sweetened soda and love it, especially the black cherry flavor. I love this post!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.HI! I was going to suggest this diet root beer soda. I tried it and was instantly HOOKED! Its delish! I can’t wait to try the others ;)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Cherry 7-up with lemon is one of my favorites.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Have you ever tried it with sparkling waters? Like La Croix?
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