Growing up, summer evenings meant sitting outside long after dark, watching sparks drift up from a fire pit and drinking something sweet and cold out of a mason jar. That warm, smoky, cozy feeling is exactly what this Campfire Cola Dirty Soda brings back every time I make it. It is a fun drink recipe that layers cold cola, toasted marshmallow syrup, chocolate drizzle, and a cloud of sweet cream into something that feels like dessert in a glass. No campfire required, and it comes together in about five minutes.
William and I used to go camping every summer before Emma was born and I still miss the smell of a campfire on a warm evening more than almost anything. I came up with this drink on a summer night when we could not get away and I wanted something that felt like those evenings. William took one sip, went quiet for a second, and said it tasted like a camping trip in a glass, which is exactly what I was going for. If you love easy nonalcoholic drink recipes like this one, my Coconut Lime Refresher is another refreshing treat our family keeps going back to all summer long.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- Ingredients for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- Substitutions and Variations for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- Equipment for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- How to Make Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- Expert Tips for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- Storage Tips for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- FAQ about Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- Related
- Pairing
- 📖 Recipe
Why You'll Love This Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- Ready in five minutes with just six ingredients, so it is perfect for a soda bar setup or a spontaneous treat any night of the week.
- No special equipment needed at all. Just two glasses, a spoon, and a small bowl.
- The toasted marshmallow syrup does all the heavy lifting on flavor, so even the simplest version of this drink tastes layered and impressive.
- Easy to customize for dietary needs. Swap the heavy cream for a dairy-free alternative and it still works beautifully.
- The chocolate and marshmallow swirls make it look stunning without any effort, which makes it a great option for gatherings or fun drink recipe nights at home.
Ingredients for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
Here is everything you need to make this Campfire Cola Dirty Soda recipe. Most of it is probably already stocked in your pantry or fridge.
What You'll Need
Toasted marshmallow syrup is the defining ingredient here. It is what gives this drink its campfire cola character and sets it apart from a standard dirty soda. Look for it in the coffee syrup aisle at your grocery store or online. Brands like Torani and Monin both make a version.
Sweetened condensed milk thickens the sweet cream topping and adds a rich, almost caramel-like sweetness that balances the fizz of the cola. A little goes a long way.
- 2 cups cold Coke or cola of your choice
- 4 tablespoons toasted marshmallow syrup
- 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- Ice, enough to fill two glasses
See recipe card below for full measurements.
Substitutions and Variations for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- Cola: Use any dark cola you like, including Pepsi or a store brand. For a sugar-free version, diet cola works just as well and keeps the drink light.
- Heavy cream: Swap in coconut cream or a dairy-free heavy cream alternative to make this completely dairy-free. The texture of the topping will be slightly lighter but still delicious.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Omit this entirely for a lighter cream topping, or replace it with a splash of vanilla syrup if you prefer a simpler sweet cream.
- Chocolate syrup: A drizzle of caramel syrup is a great swap here and gives the drink a warmer, smokier flavor that leans even more into the campfire vibe.
- For a mocha version, add a shot of cold brew concentrate to the glass before pouring in the cola for a coffee-forward twist on the campfire dirty soda.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Equipment for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
Two tall glasses or stemless glasses work best here. The wide opening makes it easier to layer the ingredients and get that beautiful chocolate swirl effect you see in the photo. No tall glass? A regular drinking glass works perfectly fine.
Small mixing bowl: you need something to whisk the heavy cream and condensed milk together before topping the drinks. A liquid measuring cup with a pour spout is even better because it makes adding the cream layer clean and controlled.
Long spoon or bar spoon: useful for gently swirling the chocolate and marshmallow syrup through the drink before serving. For more easy nonalcoholic soda recipes with a similar build, my Brazilian Lemonade uses the same quick-assembly approach with a creamy topping layered right over the drink.
How to Make Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, about 30 seconds. It should look glossy and flow easily off the spoon. Set aside.
Step 2: Fill two glasses generously with ice until each one is about three-quarters full. You want enough ice to keep the cola cold and fizzy all the way through.
Step 3: Pour one cup of cold cola into each glass slowly, angling the glass slightly so the fizz does not overflow. You should hear a steady fizz as it hits the ice and settles.
Step 4: Add two tablespoons of toasted marshmallow syrup to each glass. It will sink toward the bottom and begin swirling up through the cola, which is exactly what you want.
Step 5: Drizzle one tablespoon of chocolate syrup into each glass. Pour it slowly along the inner edge of the glass so it streaks down through the drink for that layered look.
Step 6: Spoon or pour the sweet cream mixture gently over the top of each drink. Pour slowly over the back of a spoon so the cream floats on top rather than sinking straight to the bottom. The surface should look creamy and just barely set before you add the straw.
Step 7: Serve immediately with a paper straw or a reusable straw. Give it a gentle stir before drinking so the marshmallow, chocolate, and cream swirl together into every sip. For another creamy, fizzy drink to add to your soda bar lineup, my Hibiscus Tea Strawberry Lemonade is a beautiful nonalcoholic option that is just as easy to put together.
Expert Tips for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
- Keep the cola as cold as possible before you pour. A warm cola will go flat faster and lose the fizz that makes this drink so satisfying. I keep my cans or bottle in the back of the fridge for at least an hour before making this.
- Pour the cream slowly over the back of a spoon. This is the trick to getting that beautiful layered look where the cream floats on top instead of mixing straight in. Hold the spoon just above the surface of the drink and pour the cream onto the spoon so it settles gently. It takes about three extra seconds and makes a big visual difference.
- Do not make the sweet cream too far ahead. The heavy cream and condensed milk mixture is best used right away. If it sits too long it can start to separate slightly. Mix it fresh each time you build a drink for the best texture. Note: do not freeze this drink or the cream component. Cream-based toppings separate when frozen and the texture will not recover. Add more options to your drink recipe rotation with my Blue Raspberry Lemonade, which is another crowd-pleasing fizzy drink that comes together just as fast.
- Use a wide glass for the best presentation. The wider the opening, the easier it is to layer the ingredients and show off the chocolate and marshmallow swirls. A stemless wine glass or a short rocks glass works really well for this.
Storage Tips for Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
This drink is best made and served immediately. Once the sweet cream is poured on top and the straw goes in, the cola will start to lose its fizz fairly quickly. I do not recommend making this ahead or storing it, because the carbonation is a big part of what makes it so fun to drink. If you want to prep ahead for a group, mix the sweet cream topping in advance and keep it in a small jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Pour your cola fresh for each glass right before serving.
FAQ about Campfire Cola Dirty Soda
Is dirty soda a Mormon thing?
Dirty soda did get its start in Utah and is closely associated with the culture there, though it has since spread far beyond that community. The trend grew largely out of local soda shops like Swig and Fiiz, which became popular hangout spots known for custom soda combinations. Today you will find dirty soda recipes all over the internet made by people of all backgrounds.
What is the most popular dirty soda?
The classic dirty Dr. Pepper is probably the most well-known version: Dr. Pepper mixed with coconut syrup and a splash of cream. Campfire cola dirty soda recipes have also become a fan favorite because the toasted marshmallow syrup and chocolate drizzle give it a dessert-like quality that sets it apart from a standard soda shop order.
What is a dirty Coke soda?
A dirty Coke is a Coke mixed with a flavored syrup and usually some kind of cream or juice. The "dirty" part just means you are adding something extra to a plain soda to create a new flavor combination. This campfire cola dirty soda recipe is a riff on that concept, using toasted marshmallow syrup, chocolate, and sweet cream to turn a regular cola into a fun, indulgent beverage combining cola, toasted marshmallow syrup, cream, and chocolate.
What is the new dirty soda trend?
The dirty soda trend has exploded on social media over the last couple of years, with creators coming up with flavor combinations like cotton candy soda floats, campfire cola, and even Dippin' Dots inspired dirty soda floats. The appeal is that they look impressive, come together in minutes, and are completely nonalcoholic, which makes them great for everyone at the table.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Campfire Cola Dirty Soda:
📖 Recipe
Easy Campfire Cola Dirty Soda Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In your small ceramic mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. You're looking for a glossy, slightly thickened texture, it usually takes about 30 seconds of love! This reminds me of the "cloud cream" my grandmother used to put on berries.
- Fill your stemless glass tumblers about three-quarters full with ice. Using plenty of ice is key here; it keeps the soda crisp and stops the cream from warming up too quickly.
- Slowly pour 1 cup of cold cola into each glass. I always angle the glass slightly, just like pouring a fancy root beer float, to keep all those happy bubbles inside!
- Add the toasted marshmallow syrup to each glass. It's like magic watching it sink through the ice, it naturally starts to sweeten the soda from the bottom up.
- Drizzle the chocolate syrup along the inner edge of the glass. Letting it streak down the sides makes the drink look like a professional soda shop creation with almost zero effort.
- Here is my favorite pro tip: pour the sweet cream mixture slowly over the back of your bar spoon held just above the soda. This helps it float right on top like a soft summer cloud instead of sinking.
- Give it a very gentle stir with your bar spoon to pull those chocolate and marshmallow flavors together. Pop in a straw and take a sip, it's a camping trip in a glass!
