Why Your Dirty Soda Is Curdling And The Easy Way To Avoid It

There's no two ways about it: The dirty soda trend is here to stay. By combining pop with flavored syrup and creamer, folks create all kinds of wild dirty soda flavor combinations that make regular cola taste lackluster by comparison. Still, things sometimes take a turn for the worse when all those various mix-ins intermingle. When making the drink at home, the biggest challenge is preventing the cream from curdling. According to Grant Hewitt, the vice president of beverage at Loews Hotels & Co., the easiest way to avoid that is by using the correct type of cream.

Dirty soda is meant to be a treat, and Hewitt reveals that attempting to make a calorie-conscious version is often why things go south. "Curdling occurs when low-fat or non-fat creamer is used, as these tend to separate more easily when mixed with soda," he says. "Creamers with a higher fat content will always blend best, as the added fat helps the ingredients bind smoothly and prevents curdling. Options like half-and-half, heavy cream, or full-fat dairy creamers, such as Coffee Mate or Chobani, tend to mix well." And if you'd like to make a delectable coffee creamer at home, here's an easy, 2-ingredient recipe.

A creamer's fat content may be the predominant cause behind curdling, but overzealous mixing may also contribute to the problem. "It can also happen if the beverage is shaken or blended too vigorously, since the agitation causes the ingredients to break apart," says Hewitt. "When adding heavy cream or another high-fat creamer, it's best to blend the components together by stirring slowly. Gently stirring creates a smooth end result and prevents any curdling or separation."

Using a high-fat creamer and gentle stirring are two ways to prevent a dirty soda from curdling, but Grant Hewitt has more advice on how to avoid mistakes. One thing he pointed out was that even when employing a quality dairy product, the correct amount is crucial. "Using the right ratio is also a key part of the process," he says. "A 1:4 ratio of creamer to soda works best. This keeps the cream content around 25%, allowing the drink to thicken without settling at the bottom or curdling."

Still, some people who love dirty soda don't consume dairy. But using non-dairy coffee creamers isn't a problem, as long as they contain enough fat. As Hewitt explains, "For non-dairy alternatives, coconut- or oat-based creamers with higher fat content, like Califia Farms or Oatly, are good choices."

Cream and soda may be the main components behind dirty soda, but the beverage wouldn't be the same without flavored syrup contributing to the taste. However, Hewitt notes that these, too, deserve some consideration regarding their makeup. As he points out, "Non-acidic mixers and flavorings are always best when incorporating cream options, as they mix more evenly."