Dirty Soda Frenzy Hits Canada: 'Mormon Wives' Reality Show Sparks Trend

Dirty soda trend emerges in Canada, driven by popularity of reality TV show "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" and social media. The fizzy drinks with fun names are rapidly growing in popularity, cropping up at summer fairs and national chain menus. Analysts attribute the trend to a shift away from brewed coffee toward specialty drinks seen as unique and Instagram-worthy.

The dirty soda trend, once confined to the United States, has made significant inroads into Canada, fueled by the popularity of the reality TV show "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" and social media. These fizzy, colorful drinks with fun names are rapidly gaining traction, appearing at summer fairs and on the menus of national chains like Crumbl.

The trend's origins can be traced back to two years ago when Jeremy Guenette, while waiting for his kids in an Idaho parking lot, noticed the popularity of a nearby truck mixing colas, cream, and fruity flavors. Intrigued, he opened Sip Soda Co. in Edmonton, helping to introduce dirty sodas to Canada [1].

According to Vince Sgabellone, a foodservice industry analyst at Circana, the dirty soda trend is part of a broader shift away from brewed coffee toward specialty drinks perceived as unique and Instagram-worthy [1]. The drinks' vibrant colors and entertaining nature make them highly Instagrammable, appealing to a younger customer base [1].

The popularity of dirty sodas can be largely attributed to "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," a reality TV show that features the cast frequently sipping these beverages. The show's influence has been significant, with many Canadians now seeking out dirty sodas after seeing them on the show [1].

Sip Soda Co. and Pop Culture Dirty Soda, a trailer run by B.C. sisters Mikayla and Brooklynn Cantelon, are among the businesses capitalizing on this trend. Sip Soda Co. has been in talks to franchise its business, while Pop Culture Dirty Soda is preparing to launch a second trailer [1].

The trend is not without its health concerns. A recent article highlights the excessive sugar consumption seen in the show, with cast members drinking up to 44-ounce sodas multiple times a week [2]. Registered dietitian Lauren Manaker warns that regular consumption of sugary sodas can lead to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay [2].

Despite these health concerns, the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Dirty sodas are easy to make, use affordable ingredients, and are seen as a "destination beverage" by consumers [1]. Analysts predict that if the trend continues, it could give the carbonated soft drink category a significant boost, as seen with energy drinks and carbonated fruit juices in recent years [1].

The competition is fierce, with Crumbl and other chains like McDonald’s experimenting with dirty sodas in the U.S. and now in Canada. However, Guenette and the Cantelon sisters see this competition as a sign of a winning concept, driving them to innovate and expand [1].

References:
[1] https://www.rmoutlook.com/national-business/dirty-soda-trend-bubbles-up-to-canada-with-mormon-wives-as-inspiration-11058206
[2] https://www.aol.com/dark-truth-mormon-wives-soda-212000902.html