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McDonald\u2019s\u2019 latest menu drop is making a Mormon treat mainstream.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
On Tuesday, April 28, McDonald\u2019s officially announced six new beverages coming to its menu on May 6. That includes three \u201ccrafted sodas\u201d\u2014Sprite Berry Blast, Orange Dream, and Dirty Dr Pepper\u2014which combine sodas with flavored syrups and cold foam.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The drinks make McDonald\u2019s the latest franchise to embrace the concept of \u201cdirty soda,\u201d or soda with mixed-in flavors and creams. But dirty soda is more than just a viral food trend: It\u2019s a cultural mainstay of Mormon communities, which have embraced the concept since it first rose to prominence in Utah, where 42% of the adult population identifies as Mormon<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dirty soda isn\u2019t exclusive to Mormons, but they certainly put it on the map. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aren\u2019t allowed to drink alcohol, tea, or coffee\u2014but caffeine is still on the table, giving soda a massive Mormon market.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The term \u201cdirty soda\u201d was trademarked by Utah-based soda shop franchise Swig in 2014, but that language has since been adopted by many other brands. The treat has had waves of mainstream recognition over the years, but its current degree of popularity can be traced back to another juggernaut of Mormonism in pop culture: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives<\/em>.<\/p>\n Hulu\u2019s reality show, which follows a group of Mormon influencers called MomTok, premiered in late 2024. The series\u2019 first episode sees the titular Mormon moms patronizing a Swig location and ordering customized 44 oz. sodas, loaded with flavored syrups and creams.<\/p>\n \u201cUtah is like land of the Mormon bar, which is all the soda shops that we have,\u201d says cast member Jessi Draper. \u201cThere\u2019s one on every corner.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhat makes dirty soda Mormon?<\/h2>\n