Guides
Know your soda
Short, sourced, updated as the trend moves.
- What is a dirty soda?Dirty soda explained: soda plus flavored syrup, cream and fresh lime. Where it came from, how to order or make one, and the classic ratios.
- How to make cold foam at homeVanilla cold foam for sodas in 30 seconds: the ratio, the tools, dairy-free options and how to keep it from sinking.
- Dirty soda vs crafted soda vs refresherWhat separates a dirty soda, a crafted soda and a refresher, with examples of each and how to make them at home.
- Energy dirty sodasHow to make a dirty soda with an energy drink: ratios, the best syrup pairings and a caffeine note.
- The 2026 crafted soda trend, explainedWhy dirty and crafted sodas went mainstream in 2025 and 2026: McDonald's, KFC, Dunkin', Arby's, Taco Bell and more, the cold foam and boba building blocks, and how to make them at home.
- Who sells dirty sodas now? The 2026 chain trackerEvery major chain selling dirty or crafted sodas in 2025-2026: KFC, Arby's, McDonald's, Dunkin', Taco Bell, Burger King, Sonic and soda shops, with drink names, launch dates and sources.
- Best dirty soda syrups (and what to pair them with)The syrups that unlock the most dirty soda recipes, which sodas they pair with, how much to use, and sugar-free options.
- Sugar-free dirty sodasHow to make a dirty soda with zero-sugar soda, sugar-free syrup and lighter creams, and what to expect on taste.
- How to order a dirty sodaHow to order a dirty soda at a soda shop or drive-thru: the words to use, sizes, pumps, cream and add-ons.
- Pebble ice at homeHow to get chewable pebble (nugget) ice at home without a machine, and why it makes dirty sodas better.
- Dirty soda party barHow to set up a dirty soda bar for a party: how much to buy for 10 or 20 guests, the setup, labels and a simple menu.