Craft soda vs crafted soda vs dirty soda
"Craft soda" grew out of the craft-beer world: independent makers, smaller batches, cane sugar, real ginger or sassafras. "Crafted soda" and "dirty soda" describe a drink you build: a regular soda customized with syrups, cream and fruit. Same word, different shelf.
Where dirty soda comes from
Dirty soda was popularized by Utah drive-thru soda shops such as Swig, Sodalicious and FiiZ, then spread nationally via social video. In 2026 national chains followed, including McDonald's USA with three crafted sodas.
Where to get one
Soda shops sell them year-round, mostly across the Mountain West and Texas. Chains sell crafted sodas at participating locations. Our map lists shops near you, and every recipe here takes about 3 minutes at home.
Craft soda brands worth knowing
- Boylan BottlingNew Jersey soda maker, bottling since 1891Cane-sugar root beer, black cherry, creme
- SprecherMilwaukee brewery, founded 1985Fire-brewed root beer and cream soda
- Jones SodaSeattleCane-sugar sodas with photo labels
- FentimansEngland, since 1905Botanically brewed ginger beer and colas
- Virgil'sSmall-batch style root beerRoot beer, cream soda
- Reed'sGinger specialistReal-ginger ginger beer
Make one at home
- Dirty Cherry ColaSpiced cherry cola · Coconut · Half & half
- Dirty Cherry Cola with Vanilla Cold FoamSpiced cherry cola · Vanilla · Vanilla cold foam
- Dirty ColaCola · Coconut · Fresh lime
- Vanilla Cold Foam ColaCola · Vanilla · Vanilla cold foam
- Cherry Vanilla ColaCola · Cherry · Half & half
- Salted Caramel Spiced CherrySpiced cherry cola · Salted caramel · Vanilla cold foam
People also ask
What is a crafted soda?
A crafted soda is a fountain soda customized with flavored syrup and a creamy topping like cold foam or coconut cream, often over pebble ice. It's the chain-menu name for what Utah soda shops call a dirty soda. "Craft soda" can also mean small-batch bottled soda from independent makers.
What is a crafted soda at McDonald's?
McDonald's USA launched three crafted sodas nationwide on May 6, 2026: Sprite Berry Blast (Sprite with blue raspberry syrup and cold foam), Orange Dream (Hi-C Orange Lavaburst with vanilla flavor and cold foam) and Dirty Dr Pepper (Dr Pepper with vanilla flavor and cold foam).
Are McDonald's crafted sodas permanent?
Yes, as launched. In its April 28, 2026 announcement McDonald's said the new drinks "are here to stay", and trade coverage reported them as permanent menu additions. Availability can still vary by participating restaurant.
What is the best craft soda brand?
There's no official ranking; it comes down to taste. Widely loved small-batch makers include Boylan, Sprecher, Jones Soda, Fentimans, Virgil's and Reed's. For dirty-style crafted sodas, the "brand" is really the build: soda + syrup + cream.
What does "dirty" mean in dirty soda?
It means the soda has been "dirtied" with add-ins: flavored syrup, cream or coconut cream, and often fresh lime.
Is craft soda healthier?
Not automatically. Many craft sodas use cane sugar instead of corn syrup, but sugar is sugar. For less sugar, use diet soda and sugar-free syrups; see our sugar-free guide.
Keep going
Sources
Independent site; not affiliated with McDonald's or any soda brand. Brand names are used only to report news and describe drinks.