Dirty Coke: 7 Ways to Make a Dirty Soda With Coca-Cola

Coke is the soda everybody already has. It's in the office fridge, the gas station cooler and the back of your car after a Costco run. That's exactly why a dirty Coke is the best place to start if you've never made a dirty soda before.

Coke has warm notes of vanilla, citrus and a little spice. That means it plays nice with coconut, cherry, caramel and cinnamon. It does not need much help. Just a little encouragement.

Every recipe below is for a 24 oz cup filled to the top with pebble ice. Syrup goes in first, then about 12 oz of Coke, then the cream, poured slow.

1. The Coconut-Lime Dirty Coke

This is the one to make first. It's the classic dirty soda move, just on Coke instead of Dr Pepper.

• 1 oz coconut syrup
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 12 oz Coke
• 1½ oz coconut cream
• Lime wheel to finish

Squeeze the lime right into the cup and let the cream fall through the soda before you stir. Our Coconut Cream Cola is the full version with a toasted coconut rim.

2. Cherry Vanilla Dirty Coke

Think old-fashioned soda fountain, but with better lighting.

• ¾ oz cherry syrup
• ½ oz vanilla syrup
• 12 oz Coke
• 1 oz half-and-half
• Two maraschino cherries

Drop the cherries in first so they sit on the bottom like a little prize.

3. Vanilla Bean Coke

Smooth, rich and a little dangerous. Use real vanilla bean syrup if you can find it.

• 1¼ oz vanilla bean syrup
• 12 oz Coke
• 1½ oz heavy cream

No lime on this one. It's all velvet. See our Vanilla Bean Cola.

4. Salted Caramel Dirty Coke

Sweet and salty is never a bad idea.

• 1 oz salted caramel syrup
• 12 oz Coke
• 1 oz vanilla coffee creamer
• Tiny pinch of flaky salt on top

The salt sits on the cream and hits your lips first. Trust me.

5. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Coke

This one tastes like fall in a cup. Make it on a cold day and pretend you're cozy.

• 1 oz brown sugar cinnamon syrup
• 12 oz Coke
• 1 oz oat milk or half-and-half
• Cinnamon stick to stir

Our Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cola has the homemade syrup recipe.

6. Horchata Coke

Cinnamon-rice horchata and cola sound wild together. They are wild. Wildly good.

• 3 oz chilled horchata
• ½ oz vanilla syrup
• 10 oz Coke

Pour the horchata last, slowly, so it clouds down through the cola. Get the full build at Horchata Cola.

7. Skinny Dirty Diet Coke

You can still be dirty on a diet. Diet Coke or Coke Zero both work.

• 1 oz sugar-free coconut syrup
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 12 oz Diet Coke or Coke Zero
• 1 oz unsweetened coconut milk

This is the one I drink most on weekdays. It's light, it's bright and it still feels like a treat. Our Dirty Diet is the original skinny pour.

Does Mexican Coke make a better dirty soda?

Mexican Coke is made with cane sugar and sold in glass bottles. A lot of people think it tastes cleaner and a little less sharp. In a dirty soda, that means the coconut and vanilla come through softer. It's worth trying if you see it. One 12 oz bottle is the perfect amount for a 24 oz cup.

Tips for a better dirty Coke

• Keep the Coke cold. Warm soda goes flat the second it hits the ice.
• Pour down the side. Tilt the cup and pour slowly so you keep the fizz.
• Cream last, always. That swirl is half the fun, so don't stir until you've had a look.
• Fresh lime only. Bottled lime juice tastes flat next to cola.

FAQ

What is a dirty Coke?

A dirty Coke is Coca-Cola with a flavored syrup and a splash of cream or coconut cream, usually with fresh lime. Coconut-lime is the most popular version.

What syrup goes best with Coke?

Coconut, vanilla, cherry and salted caramel are the most popular. Coconut and lime together are the classic dirty soda pairing.

Can I make a dirty soda with Diet Coke?

Yes. Use Diet Coke or Coke Zero with a sugar-free syrup and a splash of unsweetened coconut milk for a lighter version.

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Pick one, pour it slow and let me know which number became your new favorite.