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 tried a diet Mtn. Dew with Mango puree at Swig in St George last fall. Yummy. I’m heading there again tomorrow and will definately try something new!
Diet Coke is nectar of the gods. My friend whines at me all the time about how evil Diet Coke is, and it makes me drink it even more. And it’s hilarious that the “told-you-so” crowd still has the chime in to tell us DC drinkers how awful we are. Yeah, it’s my vice too, but way better than drugs, right? Can’t wait to try the dirty version!
Pretty sure we can be BFFs, haha!
Haha! Kate – you had me at Diet Coke. I stick my fingers in my ears too when people tell me how bad it is. I mean, I’m not drinking or smoking or doin’ drugs…but mama’s gotta have her Diet Coke or the day’s just not going to happen. Can’t wait to try this.
So, I’ve been dying to try this but didn’t want to go searching for coconut syrup OR wait for it in the mail. So I found a way to make it!! 1-2 c sugar, 1 c water. Heat until boiling and dissolved – stirring continuously. Add 1 tbs coconut extract. I’m currently waiting for mine to cool enough to use. Hopefully it’s just as yummy!!
Did your homemade version work?
I had to have one of these, and remembered that Winco sells the Torani syrups. However, they didn’t have coconut! So, I’m going to try french vanilla, and I let the clerk know that they need to carry the coconut flavor!
I will also be using caffeine free diet Coke… not that I don’t like caffeine, but I just can’t handle it. It’s a love-hate relationship!
I am a strictly regular Coke kind of girl. (Can’t STAND the taste of artificial sweeteners.) Would love to hear from anybody who’s tried this with reg sodas? (Oops…didn’t mean to put this way up at the top.)
I first heard of these in St. George (UT) a few months ago at SWIG. And now it seems all restaurants in northern UT sell dirty cokes.
They are my favorite. I crave them!!
I’ll have to try it with the half and half. YUM!
If you’re in the Boise area, you can get Torani syrups at very good prices at Cash and Carry. Nampa has one too, but sadly none in SLC. I’m sure other restaurant supply stotes would have them and most will sell to the public.
This sounds good even though I’m not a big soda drinker. Diet coke isn’t so bad, just don’t post any recipes with Mountain Dew! Jokes :0)
They have a dessert with crescent roll wrapped apple slices with a Mt. Dew sauce that is ridiculous!!
So, I have a bottle (or two) of coconut cream in the cabinet… would be coconut syrup and half and half mixed, right? Sort of? Gonna try it with my Pepsi and find out!
I was thinking the same thing, since I have 1/2 a bottle of “Coco Real Cream of Coconut” hanging out in my fridge. It was DELISH! My go-to summer drink, for sure.