Guide
Dirty soda vs crafted soda vs refresher
What separates a dirty soda, a crafted soda and a refresher, with examples of each and how to make them at home.
Dirty soda
Soda plus syrup plus cream or coconut cream, usually with lime. The cream is mixed or floated into the drink.
Crafted soda
The newer, fast-food-menu version: soda plus a flavor syrup, finished with a thick cold-foam cap instead of cream stirred in. Think vanilla in the soda and foam on top.
Refresher
A lighter, fruit-forward drink, often on a lemonade or juice base, with inclusions like freeze-dried fruit or popping boba. Usually no cream. Chain versions often contain caffeine.
| Drink | Base | Creamy part | Typical extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dirty soda | Soda | Cream stirred or floated in | Lime |
| Crafted soda | Soda | Cold foam on top | Boba, fruit |
| Refresher | Lemonade, juice or light soda | Usually none | Freeze-dried fruit, boba |
Quick way to tell
Cream in the drink: dirty soda. Foam on top: crafted soda. Fruit and no cream: refresher.
Recipes to try
FAQ
Which has the most sugar?
It depends on size and syrup, but cream-based builds with two syrups are usually the heaviest. Refreshers made with zero-sugar soda are the lightest.
Can I make a refresher with soda?
Yes. Lemon-lime soda with fruit syrup and freeze-dried fruit gets very close.
Sources
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