Guides
Know your soda
Short, sourced, updated as the trend moves.
- Craft sodas: the complete guideCraft vs crafted vs dirty soda, brands, recipes
- What is a crafted soda?Plus the McDonald's lineup and whether it's permanent
- What is a dirty soda?Dirty soda explained: soda plus flavored syrup, cream and fresh lime. Where it came from, how to order or make one, and the classic ratios.
- How to make cold foam at homeVanilla cold foam for sodas in 30 seconds: the ratio, the tools, dairy-free options and how to keep it from sinking.
- Dirty soda vs crafted soda vs refresherWhat separates a dirty soda, a crafted soda and a refresher, with examples of each and how to make them at home.
- Energy dirty sodasHow to make a dirty soda with an energy drink: ratios, the best syrup pairings and a caffeine note.
- The 2026 crafted soda trend, explainedWhy dirty and crafted sodas went mainstream in 2025 and 2026: McDonald's, KFC, Dunkin', Arby's, Taco Bell and more, the cold foam and boba building blocks, and how to make them at home.
- Who sells dirty sodas now? The 2026 chain trackerEvery major chain selling dirty or crafted sodas in 2025-2026: KFC, Arby's, McDonald's, Dunkin', Taco Bell, Burger King, Sonic and soda shops, with drink names, launch dates and sources.
- Copycat dirty soda recipes: make the chain drinks at homeHome versions of the dirty and crafted sodas from KFC, Arby's, Dunkin', McDonald's, Burger King, Sonic and Taco Bell, with exact 16 oz amounts and about $1.40 a drink.
- How much does a dirty soda cost? 2026 drive-thru vs home pricesSourced 2026 prices for crafted and dirty sodas at McDonald's and Arby's, compared with the cost of making one at home (about $1.40).
- Best dirty soda syrups (and what to pair them with)The syrups that unlock the most dirty soda recipes, which sodas they pair with, how much to use, and sugar-free options.
- Sugar-free dirty sodasHow to make a dirty soda with zero-sugar soda, sugar-free syrup and lighter creams, and what to expect on taste.
- How to order a dirty sodaHow to order a dirty soda at a soda shop or drive-thru: the words to use, sizes, pumps, cream and add-ons.
- Pebble ice at homeHow to get chewable pebble (nugget) ice at home without a machine, and why it makes dirty sodas better.
- Dirty soda party barHow to set up a dirty soda bar for a party: how much to buy for 10 or 20 guests, the setup, labels and a simple menu.