Target expands “dirty soda” trend with a new Coca-Cola rival offering and an in-store “secret” drinks menu, report says

Dirty soda, a sweetened fizzy drink typically made by layering soda with flavored syrup and often topped with a frothy cream or cream-like element, is moving from online novelty into mainstream retail and quick-service menus. Target is the latest big-box retailer to lean into the concept, according to a report published Tuesday by Yahoo Finance, citing TheStreet.

The report says Target has added a dirty soda from a Coca-Cola rival and that the retailer is also promoting a “secret drinks menu” that includes the option. Target did not provide additional details in the report about the exact brand, formulation, price, or where the drinks are sold (for example, in-store beverage areas versus broader in-aisle availability).

Dirty sodas have already appeared beyond convenience-style kiosks, the report notes, referencing how the drinks have been carried by chains such as McDonald’s as well as retailers that are repackaging the look and flavor profile of the trend for everyday customers. The broader point, as framed by the report, is that companies are treating the trend less like a one-off experiment and more like a repeatable product set.

The article also connects the retail push to larger packaged-beverage makers. It says PepsiCo has embraced dirty sodas with its own ready-to-drink (RTD) version, which are beverages sold as finished products that do not require consumers to mix syrups or other components at home. That matters for retailers because RTD formats can reduce operational complexity compared with made-to-order beverage builds.

Target’s involvement reflects how retail and consumer packaged goods companies are responding to demand indicates from social media, where “dirty soda” posts have helped define both the visual identity and the taste expectations consumers associate with the drink. By featuring it as part of a curated menu concept, Target is effectively bundling trend adoption with merchandising and store traffic goals.

Still, the report does not clarify how Target positions the “secret drinks menu” in practice. For example, it does not say whether the list is printed in-store, accessible via store associates, or available through digital channels like loyalty or app-based prompts. It also does not indicate whether the menu is limited to certain regions, store formats, or promotional windows.

From a consumer-behavior standpoint, the move points to a familiar playbook: take a trend-driven product, package it as an easy-to-buy option, then use a semi-exclusive or “secret” framing to encourage repeat visits and add-on purchases. For beverage brands, that can create incremental volume, while for retailers, it can differentiate assortment beyond standard refrigerated set-ups.

What to watch next is whether Target expands the drink beyond an initial test and whether other retailers follow with similar menu-style rollouts. The key unknown remains how long the offering runs, how widely it is available, and whether Target’s push translates into sustained demand rather than a short-lived novelty cycle.

Target did not disclose in the report any sales figures, customer uptake, promotional budget, or margin implications tied to the dirty soda or the “secret drinks menu.” It also does not provide specifics on the Coca-Cola rival’s product name or whether the offering is seasonal, permanent, or tied to a broader beverage refresh.