How a religious dietary restriction birthed a national soda trend
In short: When certain beverages are off-limits, people find creative ways to satisfy their cravings. For the Mormon community in Utah, this led to the creation of "dirty soda"—a creamy, syrup-laden concoction that evolved from a local subculture into a multi-state commercial phenomenon and a viral social media sensation.
The roots of dirty soda are tied to the LDS Church's 'Word of Wisdom,' a scripture outlining healthy practices. While it prohibits alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco, it does not explicitly ban caffeine or sugar. Because many followers avoided coffee and tea (which contain caffeine), they turned to sugary alternatives like soda. This cultural shift created a vacuum for unique beverage experiences that eventually manifested in the early 20th century with 'soda jerks' customizing fountain drinks.
The modern commercial era began in 2010 when Nicole Tanner opened Swig in St. George, Utah. She trademarked the term "dirty soda" in 2013 to protect her concept of mixing carbonated water with flavored syrups, fruit juices, and cream (such as half-and-half or coconut cream). The drink became a staple of Mormon culture, described by some locals as a primary 'vice' because it serves as an alcohol-free mocktail alternative.
The trend exploded nationally in the 2020s, fueled by social media virality. In late 2021, celebrity posts and hundreds of thousands of TikTok videos propelled the drink beyond Utah's borders. By 2024, major brands like Dr. Pepper and Coffee-Mate began official partnerships, and national chains like Sonic added 'dirty' customizations to their menus. What started as a regional religious adaptation is now a mainstream commercial success across North America.
The term itself has been contested; during a 2015 legal battle between Swig and Sodalicious, the latter argued that "dirty" was historically used to describe various alcoholic beverages. However, in the context of modern soda culture, it refers specifically to the addition of heavy cream and complex flavor profiles like vanilla or strawberry.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Dirty soda
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