Experience a Utah Soda Shop

Experience a Utah Soda Shop

The "dirty soda" started in 2010 when the first soda-only shop, Swig, opened in St. George. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) bans alcohol, coffee, and tea, but it does not ban caffeine. Soda shops have thrived in the "Mormon Corridor" - Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona, and Nevada, the states with the highest percentages of LDS members in the US. Soda shops take the place of coffee houses and bars for their drinks as well as meeting spaces. Local shops include Swig, Pick Me Up, Fiiz, Pop, Quench, Sipsanity, Splash, and Sip-N.

The base is soda or diet soda, an energy drink,soda water, or simply water. Flavored syrups, fruit, cream, and even candy are added. Pebbled ice is considered essential.

The most popular mix is any shop's version of the original dirty soda, called The Founder at Swig: Diet Coke, half and half, coconut syrup, and lime.

The most caffeinated and highly caloric choices may be those that mix an energy drink, Mountain Dew, fruit juice or syrup, and cream.

Treats are also available, and vary by shop, including cookies, donuts, beignets, soft pretzels, nachs, and popcorn.

The history, expansion, and culture of soda shops have been featured in national media (Today, Business Insider, New York Times), regional news (Deseret News, Michigan Daily), and even epicurean sites (Eater, Food52).

Check out the #dirtysoda and #utahsoda tags on your socials.

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