I grew up in Utah’s soda culture, so Diet Coke is basically in my blood. But I was surprised when I moved to the Central Coast to find that “dirty soda” wasn’t a thing—in fact, multiple people have asked me if Utah’s soda obsession is real.
I can tell you it is real, and it’s real serious.
What’s a dirty soda? It’s your typical fountain drink, but with added syrups, creams, and even gummy candy. Think of it like a coffee shop, but with Diet Coke and a dash or two of diabetes.
Utah is home to the dirty soda. According to Visit Utah, Utahns have obsessed over sugary beverages since 2010 when a now popular soda shop named Swig opened in southern Utah, in St. George, and created the first dirty Diet Coke—Diet Coke, fresh lime, coconut syrup, and a touch of half-and-half.
Now, hundreds of shops alongside Swig, like Fiiz, Sodalicious, and Thirst serve sodas up dirty throughout the state, offering customers nearly every flavor imaginable. No one asked, but my favorite is Diet Dr. Pepper with raspberry syrup and coconut cream.
One reason the phenomenon of soda culture may have taken off in Utah? The state’s majority religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), or Mormonism. Under LDS doctrine, members are discouraged from drinking any hot, strong, or alcoholic beverages including coffee and tea.
Former Sodalicious employee Mary Allen said she believes soda could be a modern-day loophole when it comes to the local doctrine.
“In some of their scripture, it isn’t something that they’re supposed to partake in,” Allen said. “And so, kind of a loophole that modern day members have found is that soda doesn’t count.”
Having worked in a Sodalicious shop for five years, Allen said most the shop’s daily customers were “Mormon moms” who had just dropped their kids off at school.
“It was a lot of moms going throughout their day,” she said, explaining some would even arrive at 7:30 a.m. ordering a 44-ounce beverage.
“I would say the main sizes we ever sold were 32 and 44 ounces,” she said. “We went through those cups a lot faster.”
Soda shops also offer smaller sizes. But Allen said that when an adult ordered a 16-ounce fancy drink, like a Sodalicious Blue Shirley Temple—7Up soda with blue cotton candy and a maraschino cherry—she always assumed they were from elsewhere.
“Every time an adult person would order a small size drink I’d be like, ‘Oh, are you from out of town?’ They’re like, ‘Yeah, I’m here on business,'” she said with a laugh. “They’d always order one of the fun drinks just to try it, and it’s more of a novelty. But for a lot of regulars, it’s a way of life, you know, you have their drinks ready by the time they get to the window, because you see them every day.”
Former soda shop employee Anna once worked for two competing soda shops at the same time, Swig and Fiiz. She attributed Utah’s soda craze to the state’s religion and its high alcohol prices. Mark-up prices were recently raised from 88 percent to 88.5 percent in February, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
“I mean, yeah, if you live in a state where alcohol has giant taxes, and 60 percent of the population doesn’t believe in drinking, I guess soda happens,” she said. “There’s a lot of sweets that happen, because with things like cookies and other things, there’s just a sugar culture for some reason.”
In addition to sodas, which can contain more than 90 grams of sugar and 500 calories, soda shop menus often also include treats like frosted sugar cookies, pretzel bites, and beignets.
Soda culture hit the national stage after appearing on reality TV show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Cast member Demi Engemann said that Mormon moms don’t do drugs or drink alcohol, so soda was “kind of their vice.”
According to reporting by the Salt Lake Tribune, the soda shop industry expanded into 22 other states including Nevada, Arizona, and Washington. But California’s a holdout.
Self-proclaimed Diet Coke lover Teresa Karas is a franchise owner of two Fiiz locations in North Salt Lake with her husband. She said they decided to open a shop after their friends and neighbors missed one that closed down the street from their house.
“It was weird that it was gone—it just disappeared, and people loved it, and they wanted it there again,” she said.
Karas doesn’t imagine soda shops would be too popular in places like California because there are fewer Mormons, but also because of environmental factors.
According to Karas, a successful Fiiz shop uses Styrofoam cups and must have a drive-through—many shops operate by drive-through only. San Luis Obispo banned drive-throughs in 1982 and polystyrene products (including Styrofoam) in 2015.
“The big thing for a soda shop is you want it close to an elementary or high school or junior high. So when parents are dropping their kids off, they can drive here and get their drinks … and also right by LDS churches,” she said.
Karas said Fiiz franchise owners are required to follow company guidelines, which includes using only Fiiz branded Styrofoam cups.
“That’s what keeps your cup cold,” she said. “But I do know that’s been a big factor [in California]. Stores have not opened there.”
Former Sodalicious employee Allen said that Utah’s craze is here to stay.
“I think people from out of state don’t really see it as much. It’s not like pop doesn’t exist in other places, but definitely not at the consumption rate that it does here,” Allen said. “So, all of that is to say I have no idea how a soda shop would do in a place like California, but I do know that people who kind of start to frequent those places start to understand it more.” Δ
Staff Writer Libbey Hanson is impatiently waiting for the second season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Team Taylor or Whitney? Let her know at lhanson@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Jan 2-12, 2025.
There are so many new, locally-owned restaurants and eateries that have opened recently, but we get an article about fizzy soda water, out of UTAH? I thought this was New Times SLO, not New Times SLC.
I’m struggling to see why another SLO transplant trying to find something to do in this county would care what a bunch of toxic Mormons are doing in Utah? Honestly, if SLO is boring let’s just report on that and what we can do to improve entertainment around the county.
Hello Libbey,
Your deep dive into Utah’s soda culture is absolutely fascinating! As someone who’s spent a lot of time exploring food and drink trends—especially through my work on Costco Food Court Menu—I can’t help but draw some parallels between Utah’s love for “dirty sodas” and the way food courts like Costco’s have become cultural hubs for unique and indulgent treats.
The Soda Culture Connection:
Utah’s obsession with customizable sodas reminds me of how Costco’s food court has become a destination for affordable, crave-worthy items. Just as Utahns flock to soda shops for their personalized Diet Coke creations, Costco members line up for their favorite food court staples—whether it’s the iconic $1.50 hot dog combo, the irresistible pizza, or the seasonal boba drink offerings. Both experiences are about more than just the food or drink; they’re about community, convenience, and a little bit of indulgence.
Customization is Key:
One thing that stands out about Utah’s soda shops is the level of customization. With up to 92 flavors of syrup, customers can create drinks that are uniquely theirs. This reminds me of how Costco’s food court has evolved to cater to diverse tastes. For example, the boba drinks at Costco allow customers to choose their sweetness level and toppings, much like how Utahns tailor their sodas with syrups, creams, and even gummy candies. It’s all about giving people the freedom to make their orders their own.
A Cultural Phenomenon:
Just as Utah’s soda culture is deeply tied to its religious and social fabric, Costco’s food court has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right. The $1.50 hot dog combo, for instance, is more than just a meal—it’s a symbol of Costco’s commitment to value and quality. Similarly, Utah’s soda shops have become a way of life for many, offering a sense of identity and community.
Could Dirty Sodas Come to Costco?
Reading about Utah’s soda craze made me wonder: Could “dirty sodas” ever make their way to Costco’s food court? Imagine a self-serve soda station with a variety of syrups and creams, allowing members to create their own Utah-inspired concoctions. It could be a fun and innovative addition to the menu, especially for locations in states where the soda culture is already thriving.
Final Thoughts:
Your article highlights how food and drink trends often reflect the unique cultural and social dynamics of a region. Whether it’s Utah’s soda shops or Costco’s food court, these spaces bring people together and create lasting memories. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on whether the “dirty soda” trend spreads beyond Utah—and who knows, maybe we’ll see it at Costco one day!
Thanks for sharing such an engaging and insightful piece. If you ever find yourself near a Costco food court, I highly recommend trying the boba drink—it might just scratch that same customizable, indulgent itch as a dirty soda. Read more at https://costcofoodcourtmenu.com/