PepsiCo splashes into dirty soda with new Mountain Dew flavor

Photo: PepsiCo

PepsiCo is entering the dirty soda trend with a new Mountain Dew flavor, tapping into the latest beverage craze that’s taken social media by storm, Food Dive reports.

Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda, set for a nationwide rollout in early 2026, combines Mountain Dew’s classic citrus flavor with cream soda.

The beverage giant is entering the dirty soda market as Generation Z consumers are increasingly seeking flavor-forward beverages and customization and looking for drinks that evoke “a premium consumption experience,” Mountain Dew said in the announcement.

Dirty soda combines soft drinks with coffee creamers and flavored syrups to create customized options for consumers. The trend took off recently due to the reality TV show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and fast-growing Utah-based beverage chain Swig featuring the drinks. The rise comes as more consumers look for alcohol alternatives that still offer unique experiences.

The trend is largely playing out at soda fountains in restaurants as well as convenience stores, and PepsiCo’s introduction of a dirty soda is one of the first innovations to bring the trend to the ready-to-drink soda category. Food giant Nestle’s Coffee Mate brand makes mixer creams for dirty soda.

The dirty soda market is growing at a rate of 42%, while the traditional soda market remains flat, according to the Food Institute, citing MenuData.

“Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda, with its creamy indulgent taste, is just another example of how we leverage innovation to engage our fans,” Mark Kirkham, chief marketing officer for PepsiCo Beverages U.S., said in a statement. “As a brand that has always embraced culture, Dirty Mountain Dew takes the dirty soda trend to a whole new level.”