Dirty Diet Coke is simple, fast, and way more interesting than a plain soda. A splash of citrus and a hint of cherry give Diet Coke a little extra zip without making it overly sweet. It takes about 30 seconds to throw it together, and works just as well for an afternoon pick-me-up as it does for serving friends. You’ll have a hard time going back to regular Diet Coke after this!
This recipe is more of a formula than a rule. Once you’ve made it, it’s easy to adjust based on what you have on hand, or who you’re serving. Combine different sodas with different syrups, and the variations are truly endless!
This recipe makes 1 serving. Just for you. No one else. Go hide somewhere with a lock on the door and enjoy.
Ingredients Needed
- coconut syrup – I ordered mine from Amazon, but you can find them in most stores.
- crushed ice
- fresh lime
- Diet Coke
- half and half – technically optional, but not really in my opinion!
How to Make a Dirty Diet Coke
This is a simple overview of the recipe, you’ll find a full printable recipe below!
- Add coconut syrup to a large glass and fill halfway with crushed ice.
- Squeeze fresh lime over the ice and drop the limes into the glass.
- Pour in Diet Coke, add a splash of half-and-half if using, and give it a quick stir.
Our Best Tips & Variation Ideas
- Use cold ingredients. Make sure your soda and lime are cold; it keeps the drink crisp and refreshing.
- Add a garnish: a fresh mint sprig and a few maraschino cherries add a nice touch.
- Crushed ice is best: Smaller ice chills faster and helps mix the syrup and lime flavor more evenly without watering it down too fast.
- Fresh lime only: Fresh lime juice adds sharp citrus brightness that really lifts the drink; bottled lime won’t give it anywhere near the same pop.
- Adjust to taste: If the coconut flavor is too sweet, add a little extra lime or use less syrup; if you want it sweeter, a tiny splash of more syrup will do the trick.
- Variations: This recipe is more of a formula, and can be mixed up so many different ways using different sodas and syrups. Here are just a few favorites!
- Dr. Pepper + coconut syrup + cream
- Diet Coke + raspberry + lime
- Sprite + coconut + lime
Frequently Asked Questions
We don’t recommend it. Avoid if you can, it won’t have that same bright kick.
We’d recommend getting a mixture of syrups and sodas, some small cubed ice, half-and-half (or other creamers), and letting people go to town with their favorite concoctions for a dirty soda bar.
Dirty Diet Coke
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut syrup
- crushed ice
- 1/2 lime cut the lime into quarters and use 2 quarters
- 12 ounces Diet Coke
- 1-2 tablespoons half and half optional
Instructions
- Pour the coconut syrup into the bottom of a 24-ounce glass. Fill it about halfway full with crushed ice.
- Squeeze the lime quarters over the ice and drop them into the glass so the rind is touching the ice. Pour the Diet Coke over the spent limes.
- If desired, add a splash of half and half. Add a straw to stir and serve.
Questions & Reviews
I have to admit I am more of cherry Pepsi girl. Yet another thing I really enjoy are cherry limeades, like the ones you can get at Taco Bell or sonic. How could I recreate that at home?
Oh yes, please someone help with the Cherry Limeade from Taco Bell. I know the base is Sierra Mist, but which Cherry flavoring do they use? Considering I’m a regular Coke person or unsweetend ice tea drinker I love those and drive out of my way to find one. Love that you are so real and funny Kate.
I don’t know what cherry syrup Taco Bell uses, but try Roses grenadine syrup. That’s what most places use to make Shirley Temples, so I wonder if it would work for cherry limeades.
I stopped drinking soda for a few weeks and now I keep seeing this dirty diet coke recipe and want to try it! What else do you use Coconut syrup for?
You can use it for snow cones, Italian sodas, use it to flavor syrups, etc.
Add a spot of coconut syrup to your hot cocoa this winter….
One of my all time favorite drinks has been a Dr. Pepper with Blue Coconut syrup from Sonic. Will have to try an “at home” version for sure.
I am loving the idea of adding half and half— hehehe!
I recently heard of dirty diet cokes and had no idea what that was. Thank you for clarifying. I WILL be trying this.
2 things: First, I think I need a trip to St. George. Second, you crack me up!! I’m going to the store today to buy ingredients for a dirty diet coke. I actually stopped drinking it a couple months ago (which is ca-razy because I’ve been an addict for my whole life – my mom put Tab in my baby bottles sometimes! lol) but I’m going to try this with the caffeine-free version. 🙂
Haaaaa! Yeah, me, too. One of my first words was Pepsi–I was at my mom’s friend’s house and her friend opened up a Diet Pepsi and I came crawling into the room saying, “Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi.” I had no shot at a normal life.
Holy Hannah. This sounds insanely delicious!
Love this post!! Of course I need to try the drink, but I really need those 24oz glasses!!
My neighbor got me hooked on these at Warrens! Yum! But I am not a coke drinker so I do mine with Dr. Pepper, and I think it is equally delicious. Have never heard of the half and half. I am going to have to try it that way as well! Your looks divine! Like it is 9:30 am and I think I need one.
I’m REALLY going to have to try this with Dr. Pepper. Like…today.
I have been doing the same thing with Dr. Pepper and it is DELICIOUS!!!!
I love your recipes and I will NEVER judge your obsession with Diet Coke. I myself prefer Diet Coke Vanilla and I don’t know how you can hack the regular.
Do they still make it?! I haven’t seen it in the stores in forever!!
They sell Vanilla Coke Zero!!! And if you ask me, Coke Zero is WAY better than Diet Coke 🙂 No calories and more flavor!