A Utah original

Utah soda shops: the guide & map

Utah didn't just adopt the dirty soda — it invented it. Here's the story of the state's soda shop scene, and everywhere you can find a Thirst.

The Utah soda shop scene

Utah invented the dirty soda

Specialty soda shops started opening across Utah in the early 2010s, mixing fountain sodas with flavor syrups, fruit, and cream. The style went national a decade later — but it started here.

Why Utah?

With much of the state skipping coffee and alcohol, the soda shop became Utah's version of the coffeehouse — a drive-through ritual, an after-school stop, and a date-night default.

Thirst opened in 2016

We opened our first shop in downtown Salt Lake City in 2016 and paired dirty sodas with something nobody else had: scratch-made soft pretzels and fresh-fried beignets.

It's still growing

From one downtown shop to 12 locations across northern Utah — plus spots at the SLC Airport and the Maverik Center — and we cater events from Payson to Logan.

New to the whole thing? Start with our guide to what a dirty soda actually is, then browse the complete flavor list.