Mountain Dew has a dirty soda flavor coming. Here's what we know.
Dirty soda drinks, typically made by adding a dash of cream to carbonated sodas, have become a tasty alternative, especially for Gen Z consumers. Pepsi hopes to cash in on some new dirty soda drinks.
Mike SniderPepsi is going deeper into the dirty soda trend.
Coming in early 2026: Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda Dew, described as a mix of "the iconic citrus kick of Mountain Dew with a smooth cream flavor twist, delivering a distinctive and indulgent taste," according to a news release.
The Mountain Dew dirty soda entry comes several months after Mountain Dew's parent Pepsi brought to market a new, permanent Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream flavor back in January. Like Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream, the new Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda Dew will available in a zero sugar option, too.
Dirty soda, a drink typically made by adding a bit of coffee creamer or flavored syrup to a carbonated soda, has become a popular drink alternative, especially among Gen Z consumers.
Mountain Dew, which doesn't lack for flavor varieties, is an obvious mixer for dirty soda explorations.
"Mountain Dew has always pushed boundaries with flavors that become cultural phenomena. Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda, with its creamy indulgent taste, is just another example of how we leverage innovation to engage our fans," said Mark Kirkham, PepsiCo's chief marketing officer of beverages, U.S., in a statement to USA TODAY. "As a brand that has always embraced culture, Dirty Mountain Dew takes the dirty soda trend to a whole new level … as only Dew can do!"
Pepsi expands in dirty soda direction
PepsiCo will debut Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda Dew at the National Association of Convenience Stores trade show, which runs Oct. 14-17 in Chicago, with national availability rolling out in early 2026, the company said.
Mountain Dew isn't the only Pepsi-owned brand apparently getting a dirty soda addition. PepsiCo plans to also debut a root beer float-flavored Mug Root Beer beverage called Mug Floats Vanilla Howler, expected to hit stores next summer, according to the product's official Instagram page.
PepsiCo will also offer a sneak preview of Mug Floats Vanilla Howler at the NACS show, CNBC reported.
Consumers' taste for dirty soda continues to flow
Interest in dirty soda accelerated after Swig, dubbed the "home of 'dirty' soda," opened up in St. George, Utah, in 2010. The brand had a built-in consumer base with Mormons, due to the Word of Wisdom from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which bans followers from drinking hot caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea, according to The New York Times.
Swig gained nationwide popularity in December 2021 when singer Olivia Rodrigo posted a picture of herself holding a Swig cup on Instagram.
Since then, dirty soda hacks have proliferated. More than 14 million viewers have watched a TikTok video posted in October 2024 by singer Dua Lipa in which she dirtied up her Diet Coke with pickle juice and jalapeno juice.
Other brands, including Dr Pepper and restaurants including McDonald's and Sonic, have served up their own takes on dirty soda, too.
"The dirty soda trend is more than just a passing fad; it’s a reflection of the evolving preferences of today’s consumers," wrote Joseph Chen, CEO of Toronto-based consulting firm Leo & Dragon, on The Food Institute website. "As the market for non-alcoholic beverages continues to grow, dirty sodas are poised to become a staple in the beverage industry."
Contributing: Greta Cross and Gabe Hauari
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider &@mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & [email protected]
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