When I first heard that people are mixing soda, cream, and flavored syrups, it sounded like a sugar experiment.
However, these curious combinations of liquids nicknamed “dirty sodas” are what brought Swig into fame — with the help of Gen Z and a little bit of celebrity, of course.
The Utah-based soda-shop chain opened in 2010 but began its climb to viral status in 2021, after Gen Z singer Olivia Rodrigo posed with one of its cups on Instagram.
By 2024, the chain was appearing frequently on Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” as a source of fuel for the show’s rising social-media stars.
Today, the chain has over 150 locations across the US, with plans to open 1,000 locations over the next six or seven years, and even more celebrities singing its praises (and sharing their Swig orders).
Dirty soda isn’t a new concept — these drinks have been a popular alternative to alcohol and coffee in the Mormon community for over a decade.
However, the chain’s moment in the spotlight perfectly aligns with both a growing demand for spirit-free beverages and Gen Z’s rising obsession with personalized drinks.
As a non-drinker myself, I wanted to see the reason for the buzz and whether Swig really lived up to the hype. So, I headed to Swig.
The Swig location I visited looked pretty nondescript.
The closest Swig location to me is 30 minutes away in Carmel, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis.
I found it nestled in the corner of a brick strip mall, signified by a simple red logo on a black awning and a drive-thru wrapped around the building.
To my surprise, the chain was surrounded by potential competitors, including a Starbucks and a gas station across the street and a McDonald’s next door (which proved useful later).
It was pretty empty when I visited.
Hoping to see the shop at peak bustle, I arrived at 5 p.m. on a Friday.
I assumed this would be a prime time for grabbing a drink, with adults wrapping up work and teens kicking off their weekend festivities.
However, Swig remained pretty quiet throughout my visit. The drive-thru line had a few cars, but it was nothing compared to the backup at McDonald’s.
The interior and vibe wasn’t at all what I expected.
This location felt nothing like the Swig I saw on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” — for one, there was no giant menu of flavors. (Although to be fair, that one might’ve benefited from some TV editing magic.)
The space itself was compact, about the size of a small living room, but it was bright and colorful, with St. Patrick’s Day decorations, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a beverage-themed mural covering the walls.
Two handwritten boards displayed the March specials and staff picks, which added a cozy touch.
There weren’t any tables or chairs, and instead of a person behind the counter — who I would have asked for recommendations — there was only a tablet.
Swig is definitely not meant to be a gathering space.
Without a friendly face or proper greeting, the space felt a little cold and unwelcoming. Even the restroom was labeled “for employees only”— clearly, the staff didn’t want people hanging out for too long.
Fair enough, since Swig is primarily a drive-thru chain, with a small walk-in area for pickup and takeout only. This cerainly explained the teens lingering around the mobile-order shelf.
The menu was expansive — for drinks, at least.
Swig offers much more than dirty soda. It has refreshers, revivers, and even sweet tea and hot chocolate, all customizable from base to finish.
I counted 36 dirty sodas, nine refreshers, and 11 revivers, and that’s not including seasonal offerings and other specials. Drinks are available in sizes ranging from 12-ounce kids’ cup to a 44-ouncer.
The food menu, however, was utterly underwhelming. It had only four items, and three were cookies.
Although frustrating to navigate on a tiny screen, the customizations impressed me.
Ultimately, each drink’s price depends on the size and just how much you customize it.
The create-your-own refresher and dirty soda bases started at $1.65 and $1.85, respectively. Add-ins like fruit, syrups, and purees were generally priced between $0.40 to $0.70 each.
Aside from the two boards of specials, there wasn’t a physical menu in sight, so I had to squint to scroll and tap through bases, syrups, and other extras written in tiny fonts.
That said, the ample customization options compensated for the headache. I counted 21 soda bases and 28 flavors to choose from, not to mention fruit purees, creams, and other finishes like candy and frozen fruit.
Swig even allowed me to specify how much ice I wanted (and whether I wanted to pay an extra $1.50 to have it blended).
My order came together with seven items for just over $25.
With the help of a staffer (who eventually emerged carrying someone’s mobile order), the teenagers in line, and the Mormon Wives, I settled on four 16-ounce drinks, one 12-ounce drink, a sugar cookie, and the only savory item on the menu: soft pretzel bites.
My total came out to just $25.54.
Since this Swig location didn’t have any seating, I set up at McDonald’s next door.
I started with the popular Texas Tab.
In addition to being crowd-loved, the Texas Tab is a favorite of a few cast members on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
This 16-ounce drink combines Dr. Pepper, vanilla, and coconut cream, giving it a velvety, subtly tropical profile.
This soda tasted less “spicy” than regular Dr. Pepper, thanks to the warmth from the coconut. I only wish the vanilla had come through a bit more.
Although it had great flavor, a few saccharine sips were enough for me. It cost $3.04, but I only drank about a dollar’s worth.
The Strawberry Breeze was genuinely refreshing.
The Strawberry Breeze features coconut cream, sugar-free coconut and vanilla syrups, strawberry puree, and frozen strawberry bits.
I copied Mikayla Matthews (another “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” cast member) by ordering it with a sparkling base. Despite the bubbles, it didn’t have a fizzy mouthfeel.
Some water-based drinks taste diluted from the start, but the Strawberry Breeze surprised me with its creamy consistency — probably because, like many drinks at Swig, it contains coconut cream.
It reminded me of a Starbucks Pink Drink, and I liked it just as much. It was also about $1 cheaper.
The Waikiki made me feel like I was on vacation … at first.
A few teens in line recommended the Waikiki, so I ordered the kids’ size of it for $2.90.
This combination of Coke, pineapple, and coconut cream reminded me of The Bahamas. It had a fruity, beachy twist that felt like summer.
However, halfway through the drink, it got too sweet for me and just started to taste like syrup. At just 12 ounces, it still felt like too much.
I added some of Swig’s top flavors to Sprite Zero.
Coconut and vanilla are some of the most common syrups on the menu, so I tried them in 16 ounces of my favorite soda. I also added lemon and lime slices.
The coconut flavor seemed nonexistent, but the vanilla gave crisp Sprite Zero a softer edge. I wouldn’t drive 30 minutes to get this drink, but if it’s between a regular Sprite Zero and this mix, I’d definitely pick the latter.
The drawback was the $3.59 price tag, which felt steep for such a basic drink.
Then, I tried an elevated Diet Coke.
I enjoy Diet Coke, so I ordered it with lemon and lime like Mayci Neeley from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” does.
The drink wasn’t anything special, but it tasted crisp and balanced. I’d probably just make it at home next time since it only requires Diet Coke and slices of lemon and lime.
At $2.79 for a 16-ounce cup, it was the most affordable drink I tried.
The pretzel bites were a disappointment, but the cookie was a hit.
I didn’t expect the pretzels to rival Auntie Anne’s, but the eight bites were stuck together and not buttery, soft, or pillowy. They felt like a waste of $3.99 to me.
However, the frosted pink sugar cookie blew me away with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that evoked Lofthouse sugar cookies.
It was larger than my palm and only $2.49 — about a dollar cheaper than a similar-sized cookie at Starbucks.
Overall, I understand why Swig appeals to select groups.
It makes sense that teenagers would enjoy Swig. My middle- and high-school years coincided with the Starbucks Frappuccino era, so I know the thrill of sugary beverages at that age.
With flavors like Sour Patch, toasted marshmallow, and cake syrup, Swig’s menu feels practically designed for young taste buds.
Plus, the customization aspect taps into Gen Z’s affinity for personalized drinks, and the soda shop has the retro aesthetic that young people seem to be chasing nowadays. The create-your-own option is great for dietary restrictions, too.
I also see why both regular soda drinkers and people with kids — so, the Mormon Wives — would turn to Swig. If you’re choosing between a daily drive-thru Coke and a fun custom drink, why settle?
Personally, though, I wouldn’t go out of my way to go back.
In “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” getting soda doubled as a social activity. However, my Swig location didn’t have seating — and only a select few do, as the drive-thru is its main focus.
In my opinion, the table-free setup diminished Swig’s potential as a bar or coffee-shop alternative. If I’m going out for sugar, I want it to be social.
Regardless, I enjoyed the drinks, but I wouldn’t drive far for any of them. I found most to be either too sweet after a few sips or too close to basic to be worth the trek, calories, and money.
If I were a regular dirty soda drinker, I’d buy a few staples and make my own at home to save my hard-earned dollars. (After all, Swig uses Torani syrups, which are easy to find at stores like Walmart for a few bucks a bottle.)
So no, I wouldn’t go out of my way to go back. However, if I’m already passing by and want to treat myself, I’d choose a near-basic Swig drink (like a Sprite Zero with vanilla) over a regular fast-food soda any day — and I’d definitely just use the drive-thru.
Swig did not respond to a request for comment.
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