Dirty soda finally bubbles up in Metro Detroit
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The "Big Poppa" with Dr. Pepper, cheesecake and vanilla at Jojo's Shake Bar was made solely for the highly sugar-tolerant. Photo: Annalise Frank/Axios
Social media has exploded in the last couple of years with a drink trend long favored by the Latter-day Saint community: dirty soda.
State of play: Michigan has been slow to absorb the dirty soda movement, with few options available until recently.
- For the uninitiated, the drink has soda mixed with cream, syrups, other flavors and ice.
- It's been around since at least 2010, but is surging in popularity thanks to TikTok and the Hulu reality series "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," which premieres Season 4 on March 12.
Zoom out: The three big players in dirty soda chains, Swig, Sodalicious and Fiiz, are all based in Utah and have been rapidly storming their way eastward with new locations.
Here are some options around Metro Detroit:
Dirty Pop: Posted up inside Meijer Rivertown Market in Detroit, this seller offers 20-ounce dirty sodas with Faygo, espresso, Dr. Pepper, energy drinks and more.
- Pro tip: Pair your drink with a bowl or banh mi from Gajiza Dumplins.
Jojo's Shake Bar: This national chain's downtown Detroit location serves themed and decorated versions like "Candy Shop" with sour gummy candy, sweet cream and blue raspberry, as well as "Gilligan's Island" with Pepsi, coconut, lime and sweet cream.
Multiple pop-up operations and caterers also sell dirty soda, including Swizzi, which sells at markets and festivals, private events and Wednesdays at the Grazery in Farmington.
- Other shops advertising dirty sodas include the Sugar Bar in Grosse Pointe and Sip at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi.
Caveat: It's dang cold out, and therefore likely that more local cafes pivot to these kinds of iced drinks in the warmer months.