What is a dirty lemonade? -Deseret News

What comes to mind when you think of Utah? Is it the breathtaking mountain views or the world-famous skiing with unbeatable powder that comes to mind? Maybe the church houses that stand on every corner? Sure, that’s part of the state’s identity. But for me, Utah is about one thing: the art of dirty lemonade.

Ahhh, the refreshing “dirty soda,” infused with cream and flavored syrup, seems to be popping up on every corner in Utah. His surge in popularity has taken the internet by storm, especially due to recent TikTok trends and the growing attention Utah is receiving online.

What was the original dirty soda shop you ask?

Although the exact origins are disputed, the soda craze in Utah only began in 2010.

According to the New York Times, Nicole Tanner and her husband Todd founded Swig, one of the first lemonade shops in Utah.

Now, the trend has influenced hundreds of lemonade shops across the state, making it undeniable that Utah is the home of dirty lemonade.

Tanner told The New York Times in 2021 that this movement was not just a trend for Utahns, but lemonade shops were opening across the country.

“Some people say, ‘Well, it’s just a Utah trend,’ and when we went to Oklahoma we proved otherwise and proved that people like their lemonade everywhere,” Tanner said. “It might sound strange to some people who have never been there, but it is happiness in a cup. “It was clear to me from the start that this was something that could and should be spread everywhere,” said the New York Times.

The art of “dirty lemonade”

The first scientific concoction to hit the streets, according to Eater, was the classic dirty Diet Coke, a mix of coconut syrup and half-and-half lime juice poured over silica ice.

There are thousands of different mixes, concoctions and additives to create the drink of your dreams.

“‘What makes this trend so exciting is its endless customizability,’ said Tara Lewis, trend expert at Yelp. “Lately we’re even seeing new recipes substituting protein shakes for cream.” As we approach Sober October, we’re also seeing this trend evolve into a fun mocktail and expect that growth to continue will continue as more people look for non-alcoholic alternatives after Dry January,” according to CBS News.

TikTok is responsible

“At least TikTok is responsible for bringing dirty sodas into the mainstream. “In early 2022, dirty sodas were trending on TikTok thanks to Gen Z musician Olivia Rodrigo, who posted a photo holding a cup from Utah chain Swig in December 2021,” according to Eater.

CBS reported that according to Yelp, TikTok users’ use of the terms “dirty sodas” is up 609% and “swig” is up 222% compared to last September.

If you want to jump on the trend bandwagon, here is the Utah-style dirty soda recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons coconut syrup
• crushed ice
• 1/2 lime Quarter the lime and use 2 quarters
• 12 ounces of Diet Coke
• 1-2 tablespoons half and half optional

Instructions

• Pour the coconut syrup into the bottom of a 24-ounce glass. Fill it about halfway with crushed ice.
• Squeeze the lime quarters over the ice and drop them into the glass so that the peel touches the ice. Pour the Diet Coke over the spent limes.
• Add a splash of half-and-half if desired. Add a straw to stir and serve.