Dirty Soda Is Growing Popular in the U.S. for the Same Reason It Exploded in Utah

Back in 2010 a small soda shop opened in St. George serving customizable soda drinks. Swig started serving “dirty sodas” and it took off with new stores opening throughout Utah. This continued into other states with several franchises picking up the banner. 

Soda Consumption Shifts: A Response to Lifestyle Changes

The success of television shows focused on Utah culture has played a part in the soda trend moving throughout the nation. However, there is another surprising reason it has taken off, and it is related to why soda shops thrived in Utah in the first place. 

Many point to soda drinks taking off in Utah because people in the state drink less alcohol and specialty sodas help fill a need. That is the same reason the rest of the nation is embracing it. That is, Americans, especially the younger ones, are drinking less. 

A New Generation: Embracing Soda as a Social Experience

This started after the pandemic. People were drinking more during COVID, and their kids were witnessing the negative effects. They also were not experimenting with alcohol themselves because of the lockdown. 

This caused these kids to shift their views on alcohol consumption. Even though they drink less, these young people are looking for a way to socialize, and they have found in soda shops the same thing Utahns first discovered. 

Read More: Unique Dessert Now A Sweet Stop Near Sand Hollow

Growing up in Utah, I never would have thought the state would be a trend setter. The fascination with “dirty sodas” proves otherwise.