A Sip of Summer

The fizzy drink trend is bringing back soda shop vibes

All over Billings, there are signs, displays, and banners promoting the latest in beverage excitement. Call it an infused drink or a dirty soda—it’s a way to zhuzh up your summer drink without alcohol.

For me, it’s a reminder of home. The Midwest town I grew up in had a soda shop where I could sit down at the counter and ask the person behind it for a Cherry Coke, a Vanilla Coke, or even an egg cream. My drink would be “pop” (in the Midwest, it’s pop, not soda) over ice with Coca-Cola from a dispenser and a shot of cherry syrup, grenadine, or vanilla syrup. Root beer and a scoop of ice cream was called a black cow. If I really felt like splurging my allowance, it was an egg cream. The summertime of my youth.

This summer, it’s a dirty soda or an infused Red Bull season.

Take your favorite carbonated soft drink and add a flavored syrup, half-and-half or non-dairy creamer (that’s what makes it dirty), and maybe a fruit purée—and you are set. A lot like that black cow.

Manufacturers are striking while the drink craze is hot. Red Bull now has Blue (blueberry), Yellow (tropical), Summer (white peach), Red (watermelon), and other very summery flavors that combine well with syrups and fruit to make a spectacular summer drink. Think of the possibilities to try—like an ice cream sundae bar, but for Red Bull, only limited by your imagination.

Coffee Mate is offering a pair of non-dairy creamers that might not sound appealing in coffee, but mix Coconut Lime with Dr. Pepper or Orange Cream Soda with Orange Crush, and your summer of dirty sodas could be set.

Pour, sip, repeat, and enjoy!

Drink Possibilities

Suggestions: Crushed ice works best—or nugget ice, if you can get it. Add the half-and-half/coconut milk/non-dairy creamer last.

Tropical Sunrise

Yellow Red Bull
¼ c. coconut milk
1 T. pineapple juice
Crushed ice

Fill a tall glass half full with crushed ice. Add the Yellow Red Bull. Add the coconut milk and then finish with the pineapple juice.

À La Mode

Blue Red Bull
¼ c. half-and-half
1 T. vanilla syrup
Crushed ice

Fill a tall glass half full with crushed ice. Pour in the Blue Red Bull. Add the half-and-half and top with vanilla syrup.

Beachside Coke

Coke or Diet Coke
1 T. coconut syrup
1 t. fresh lime juice
Half-and-half (or non-dairy creamer)
Crushed ice

Fill a tall glass half full with crushed ice. Add the coconut syrup and lime juice. Top with Coke or Diet Coke. Lastly, add a splash of half-and-half or non-dairy creamer. Stir.

Dirty Cherry Coke

Coke or Diet Coke
1 T. cherry syrup or grenadine
1 t. vanilla syrup
Half-and-half or non-dairy creamer
Crushed ice

Fill a tall glass half full with crushed ice. Add the cherry syrup and the vanilla syrup. Top with Coke or Diet Coke. Add the half-and-half or non-dairy creamer. Stir.

Cotton Candy

Sprite
2 T. vanilla syrup
Crushed ice

Fill a tall glass half full with crushed ice. Add the vanilla syrup. Top with Sprite.

Egg Cream

2 T. chocolate syrup
2 T. cold milk
8 oz. cold seltzer water or club soda

Pour the chocolate syrup into a glass. Add the cold milk and stir until completely combined and smooth. Slowly add the cold seltzer water or club soda into the chocolate milk, stirring constantly until the glass is almost full and the drink is foaming. Serve immediately.