American barbecue is a national treasure born in the southern states where barbecue spots remain the most abundant. Whether you love barbecue ribs with sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, spicy jalapeño cheddar sausage, or dry-smoked brisket, barbecue is the ultimate flavorful comfort meal. Beer is the perfect drink pairing to round out a meat-based barbecue meal. However, dirty soda is a fashionable, bubbly drink that makes a novel and delicious beer alternative at your next cookout.
Tasting Table spoke to Yelp trends expert Tara Lewis about the latest barbecue trends after the platform released its all-time list of America’s Top 100 Barbecue Spots for 2024. She also revealed information on beverage trends, noting that non-alcoholic beverages are gaining traction, including: Searches for mocktails and dirty sodas have been on the rise since 2019. Additionally, Lewis said, “searches for mocktails and stores selling dirty sodas skyrocketed in January, especially in states known for their barbecue culture.”
Arguably, a sweet and creamy carbonated dirty soda pairs even better with spicy, flavorful barbecue. Plus, it’s refreshing, affordable, and accessible to sober adults and kids alike. With searches for dirty soda on the rise in barbecue-heavy states, Lewis predicts “more people will explore alternatives, flavorful and fun drink combinations this summer.” are doing.
Read more: Styles of US regional barbecue
Dirty Soda’s Rise to Fame
Barbecue may be a Southern tradition, but dirty soda originated in southwestern Utah. Restaurants and soda fountains around Utah began selling dirty soda in the 2010s to appease many Mormons’ preference for non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages. A sweeter, creamier take on the Italian soda, it’s a dirty soda-spiked soft drink like Sprite, root beer, or caffeine-free cola with flavored syrups and cream added. Its popularity in Utah inspired a chain of Dirty His soda shops called Swig.
Thanks to TikTok and Olivia Rodrigo, Dirty Soda quickly became a viral trend, sparking nationwide demand. Swig has since expanded to many states, and Sonic has also jumped on the dirty soda bandwagon. However, you can easily make dirty soda from scratch, especially if you’re hosting a backyard barbecue. Flavored syrups, sodas, and coffee creamers are available at any grocery store, so it’s a good idea to include them on your shopping list along with the meats and garnishes you’re shopping for.
You can install a dirty soda fountain at home and display different flavors of syrups and creamers next to 2-liter bottles of soft drinks. Peruse Swig or Sonic’s online menu to find ideas for summer soda pairings. You can also take inspiration from your favorite frozen desserts. For example, orange soda and vanilla creamer is a carbonated combination that mimics an orange dreamsicle. A blend of Sprite, raspberry syrup, and cranberry juice is perfect for a bright and tangy dirty soda.
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