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Dirty lemonade shop Swig opens in Louisville, across Kentucky

Dirty lemonade shop Swig opens in Louisville, across Kentucky

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Whether Louisville residents know it or not, a different type of soda has been taking over the drive-thru drink rankings for more than a decade.

Take it from a segment on the “TODAY” show, a TikTok trend pioneered by pop singer Olivia Rodrigo and the stars of the recent Hulu hit “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”: “Dirty Soda” is a trend , which is simmering across the country.

And the item’s largest supplier, a franchise called Swig, will soon land in Kentucky.

Utah-based Swig launched in 2010 and offers customizable versions of fizzy creativity. Think Diet Coke with coconut and lime chunks, a Dr. Pepper with mango pieces or a Pepsi with flavored boba pearls.

According to USA TODAY, Swig stores are also on the rise outside of Utah. About 80 stores are open in seven states. It plans to open more than 500 franchise stores and hundreds more corporate stores in the coming years. Swig opened a location in Indianapolis in September and is expected to open a second location there on October 25th.

That forecast includes Swig’s first Kentucky store, which is expected to offer dirty sodas (and more) starting in December at 3009 Poplar Level Road near Norton Audubon Hospital in Louisville.

Tyler Blair, who runs the store, said he hopes Swig becomes “part of people’s daily routine.”

“What Starbucks or 7 Brew did with coffee, we do with soda,” he told the Courier Journal.

Blair, a Kentucky native, met Swig while he was a wedding photographer with his wife, Allison.

“I’ve always been a simple coffee drinker,” Blair said. “I was immediately captivated by it.”

After seeing the soda shops, Blair often wondered, “Why aren’t these in Kentucky?”

And when he told his friends from Kentucky about dirty lemonade and how good it was, there wasn’t much of a frame of reference here.

“Everyone likes a treat,” he said. “We always go to a gas station to get a soda or something. This is a fun alternative. It’s an experience. It’s fast, interactive and delicious.”

When he was approached last year by an old friend – the two met by chance on a trip to Zambia – about bringing Swig to Kentucky, Blair “jumped at the chance.”

That friend was Ross Pagotto, a Swig franchise owner with a goal of opening multiple locations in Kentucky in 2025 and several more in the region in 2026. Pagotto said he expects Swig stores, most of which are drive-thru focused, to open in Lexington. Bowling Green, Elizabethtown and Southern Indiana.

What is dirty lemonade?

Considered the home of the original dirty lemonade, Swig has dozens and dozens of combinations on its menu.

In its simplest form, dirty soda is made by adding another ingredient—such as a flavored cream, syrup, or fruit puree—to a soda that customers are likely familiar with, including Pepsi and Cola products.

One of the most popular menu items called “The Founder” is made with Diet Coke, sugar-free coconut, fresh lime and coconut cream.

Another called “Jolly Elf” is made with Mountain Dew, passion fruit, strawberry puree and fresh orange.

In addition to many dirty soda options, there is also the option to create your own.

It’s important to note that the sodas also come with pebble ice, reminiscent of Sonic’s famous combination of ice cream and Styrofoam foam cups.

What else is on the menu at Swig?

Even if customers can’t find fries or burgers at the drive-thru, Swig doesn’t just serve dirty soda. The menu includes soft drinks, a variant of energy drinks and soft drinks based on mineral water. Pretzel bites and seasonal cookies, such as fresh pumpkin-flavored treats, are available.

Plus, you don’t have to dirty your lemonade. As Blair said, many customers order a plain soda of their choice and Swig wants to offer “the perfect Diet Coke.”

The Future of Dirty Lemonade in Louisville

While the first Swig location is opening in Louisville, another concept is expected to launch soon. According to its website, Fizz District will “revolutionize the drive-thru beverage market with premium, tailored offerings including handcrafted lemonades, fruit seltzers, shaken lemonades, teas, espressos and more.” The flagship location is scheduled to be built in the Crescent Hill neighborhood by the end of 2024.

For now, Blair is excited to introduce Kentuckians to this drink he’s been talking about for years.

“I think the community here is going to love it,” he said. “I’m excited to see how it happens.”

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected].