Swig on this: "Dirty soda" shops are coming to Indianapolis
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Indy's first dedicated "dirty soda" shop, Swig, will open its second location later this month.
For the uninitiated: We're talking about pop with cream, syrups and other flavors mixed in, not using a carbonated drink as a base for booze.
The big picture: These customizable beverages, which have long been popular among Latter-day Saints who don't drink coffee or alcohol, have gone viral nationwide thanks to TikTok and the reality show "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives."
- Utah-based Swig, the nation's largest dirty soda chain, has locations in more than a dozen states.
Driving the news: Swig opened its first Indy-area shop near Greenwood this fall.
- The opening of its northside location has been pushed back multiple times, but is now set for Dec. 12.
How it works: Parched patrons can mix their own or choose from a menu of custom drinks that use still or sparkling water or a pop such as Coke or Dr Pepper as a base.
- Sizes range from 16 ounces to 44 ounces.
Reality check: The budget-conscious consumer has always been able to make their own "graveyard" soft drink concoctions at 7-Eleven, fast food restaurants or other establishments with pour-your-own fountain soda consoles.
Yes, but: The flavor combos on tap at Swig go beyond mixing Fanta and Sprite.
- For example, the "Guava Have It!" mixes guava, strawberry and coconut cream into Mountain Dew, while the "Big Booty Judy" jazzes up Coke with vanilla, fresh lime and raspberry.
Zoom in: The Axios Indy team recently swung through Swig to give it a try.
What we're saying: "Oh hell. This is good," was Arika's response to "The Founder," which added sugar-free coconut, fresh lime and coconut cream to Diet Coke.
- Lindsey got the "Sleigh All Day," a refreshing, not-too-sweet strawberry lemonade. The menu mentions peach and pomegranate flavors too, but she didn't taste those.
- Justin thought the "Naughty & Nice" — Swig's blend of Dr Pepper, English toffee and half-and-half — was tasty and delivered all three promised flavors but found it painfully sweet.
- "My teeth felt like they were tingling by the end," he said.
The intrigue: Swig has a very limited food menu of pretzel bites and cookies.
- Skip 'em.
- If you must — and you really want more sugar — get the mini chocolate chip cookies. They are served cold and seemingly undercooked, so it was like eating cookie dough.
What we're watching: Swig is planning to open more than two dozen Indy-area stores.
Stop by: 5145 Noggle Way.
- Open 8am to 9pm Monday–Thursday, 8am to 10pm Friday, 9am to 10pm Saturday and 11am to 7pm Sunday.
- For now, the shop is drive-thru only.