I’ve reviewed sodas, and I’ve reviewed Dunkin’s coffee milk-based Dunkalatte. But I never expected to review those two things simultaneously… until, for better or worse, Dunkin’s new Dirty Soda entered the scene.
“Interesting,” I thought idly when I first saw the word “soda” on the limited-time Spring menu. “I guess they’re trying to branch out to beverages other than coffee.” When I realized that this soda actually contained coffee as well, I practically did a spit take.
If, like me, you’re struggling to wrap your mind around this concept, let me break it down: this new beverage mixes Pepsi, coffee milk, and a Sweet Cold Foam topping. If you remember 2022’s polarizing viral concoction “Pilk” (Pepsi + milk), this is essentially that, but with a jolt of java to boot.
Dirty soda often involves adding creamer to a soda, which, while making it sweeter, doesn’t tend to alter the existing flavor profile radically. The two main ingredients here, though—cola with its notes of caramel and spice and coffee milk with its notes of, well, the two things in its name—both bring distinctive personalities to play.
My first sip was such an overwhelming textural experience that it took me a few minutes to even process the taste. The velvety richness of the coffee milk is underlaid with the Pepsi’s acidic fizz and capped off by the fluffy super-sweetness of the cold foam. Creamy, bubbly, airy, this drink has it all! Once my taste buds realized what was happening to them, they were struck by the interplay between the bitterness of the coffee, the milkiness of the cold foam, and the deep cola flavor lurking beneath it all. These disparate flavors come together to form a molasses-y earthiness that almost reminded me of root beer. The uncanny combination made me feel, not entirely unpleasantly, like I was consuming some sort of medicinal tonic or faerie elixir.
…Okay, you may notice that I’ve gone on about how unique this drink is, but I haven’t actually said whether it’s any good. Much like how Dunkin’ Dirty Soda is hard to define, that question is hard to answer.
The positives: this drink is certainly exciting. I found something quite charming about a massive global chain selling what sounds like it should only be accessible by unleashing a toddler at a soda fountain. I appreciate the creativity and ambition!
That being said, I think it might just be too weird to work. The clashing flavors and textures never quite perfectly gel. Plus, unlike other beverages with clearly defined roles (like coffee when you’re tired or soda when you’re craving a sweet treat), it’s hard to imagine many customers regularly being in a state of mind where they’re craving a Dunkin’ Dirty Soda specifically.
…That also being said, if Dunkin’ ever wants to bring this weird drink back and make it even weirder, I’d be all in. Cherry Pepsi or caramel coffee milk, anyone?
So I say: live a little! Give this one a shot… even if you never want to do it again.
Purchased Price: $5.11
Size: Small
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 240 calories, 119 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 220 milligrams of sodium, 82 grams of carbohydrates, 43 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein.
