If there’s one place in America where dirty sodas are a cultural phenomenon, it’s Utah. Long before this creation became a national trend, Utahns were mixing flavored syrups, fruit juices, carbonated drinks, and cream into creative and customized beverages. Today, the state is widely regarded as the epicenter of the dirty soda movement—and Torani’s 153 flavored syrups have been there every step of the way over the past two decades.
“Utah is forging its own path,” explained Torani flavor trend expert Andrea Ramirez as the Torani Treat Truck tour, a nationwide pop-up experience designed to help discover America’s next favorite flavor, rolled into Riverton’s Mountain View Village earlier this summer. “There’s dirty soda heritage here.”
Torani, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, is focused on flavor exploration across America. Before the Torani Treat Truck arrived in Riverton, residents voted on their favorite flavor. In Utah, the winner was coconut—a result that surprised no one familiar with Utah’s beverage scene.
“When we noticed the dirty soda phenomenon here, it seemed like almost overnight we were shipping pallets of coconut syrup to Utah,” Ramirez recalled. “It was such an anomaly that everyone asked: ‘What are they doing with this much coconut syrup? What’s going on?’”
What they discovered was the beginning of Utah’s dirty soda beverage culture. Today, many of the flavor combinations that originated here have gained national attention.
“In Utah, it’s the fruit flavors,” she continued. “Strawberry, raspberry, blue raspberry, peach, lime, lemon. We also see things like pomegranate having a lot of popularity here.”
Even banana, she notes with a laugh, has had a moment.
“People love customization. They like to make their drinks their own,” Ramirez concluded. “Everybody likes them to taste great. Whatever your flavor profile, we have something you’d probably like.”
As dirty soda continues its rise from regional favorite to national trend, Utah remains at the center of the conversation. The state’s passion for customization, entertaining, and flavor experimentation has helped shape a beverage category that continues to grow. And if history is any indication, the next big drink trend may already be bubbling up somewhere in Utah.
After all, when it comes to dirty soda flavor innovation, the state has been ahead of the curve for years.
In honor of Utah’s status as the dirty soda nexus, Torani helped Jordan River City Lifestyle create our own flavor: Jordan’s Stone Cold Quencher.
Recipe:
Jordan’s Stone Cold Quencher
1 Tbsp. white peach Torani syrup
1 Tbsp. mango Torani syrup
8 oz. sparkling water or lemon/lime soda
2 Tbsp. half & half or heavy cream
Ice cubes
Directions:
Fill a large glass with ice.
Add Torani syrups over ice.
Add sparkling beverage.
Top with cream, stir, and enjoy!