During my recent road trip, I stumbled upon this quirky drink shop called "Swig." Trust me when I say that the concept they run on is absolutely brilliant! It's a chain of drive-through beverage shops mainly focused on serving their trademark "Dirty Soda" and also some light snacks to munch on the go.
I was curious and delved into the brand's history. It turns out that a couple named Nicole Tanner and Todd, who loved the idea of fountain sodas from Sonic, were irritated by the long lines caused by folks ordering food. They came up with this fantastic concept in 2010 that caters to people who just want to grab a refreshing drink. Clever, right? Their speciality is the "Dirty Soda," a tantalizing mix of a base beverage, flavored syrup, and cream. They own the trademark of "Dirty Soda," having claimed it in 2013.
Swig started humbly in St. George, Utah, just across from Utah Tech University. Surprise, surprise! They received an overwhelming response because this area is a hub for the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Members of this church heavily rely on soda to get their caffeine fix, as their doctrines prohibit the consumption of alcohol, tea, and coffee. These circumstances led to Swig becoming their go-to place. The demand was so high that they had to open a second location just a mile away to cater to the rush.
The company expanded rapidly and by 2017, it had 16 locations. Nicole Tanner later sold it to Four Foods Group, a restaurant management firm. The ambitious soda shop plans to add 25 more locations by 2023, primarily in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho, and of course, Sin City - Las Vegas.
For additional details, you can check out their website - www.swigdrinks.com. It's like taking a virtual tour of flavor town!
What Sets Swig Apart?
Their masterstroke was concentrating on beverages and making the whole experience as convenient as possible for their customers. Just drive-through, grab your order, and you are good to go. They set a trend with their fountain soda drive-through idea, drawing similarities to Sonic, but without the food aspect. And honestly, in sweltering heat, who wouldn't love a quick, refreshing drink!
Swig’s drink customization is pure genius; the sky is the limit. With 20 base drinks, over 30 flavored syrups, creams, and fruit purees, your taste buds are in for a treat. You literally have a one in a million chance of creating something tasty. Isn't that awesome?
Not only do the drinks taste good, but the swirl of colors also makes your Instagram feed bloom. Even celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo can't resist flaunting their Swig concoctions on their feeds. Who knows, your unique creation might just catch their eyes!
Let's dive a bit deeper into their flavourful menu:
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Sodas
- Revivers
- Refreshers
- Hot Chocolate
- Sweets and Treats
- Create Your Own
- Pretzel Bites
The headline act is, of course, the Dirty Soda with 20 signature items. You get choices like The Founder, Big Al, Raspberry Dream, and others. It's a splendid combination of a soda base, flavored syrup, and cream - a treat for the taste buds.
The Revivers category pairs Red Bull energy drink with flavored syrup, and cream. For anyone looking for a burst of flavor along with some energy, this is your go-to drink.
The Refreshers category offers sparkling water, flavored syrup, and cream. I highly recommend this if you are not into sodas and Red Bull but want something unique from Swig.
They also have an assortment of hot and frozen chocolate and Boba, with flavors like Mango Bango, Thai Coconut, and Pina Colada. The Sweets and Treats include sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, dirt balls, and strawberry frosted cookies. The Pretzel, with your choice of dip - Strawberry Cream Cheese or White Cheddar, is the perfect light snack.
With so many combinations and signature drinks, deciding what to order can be a bit overwhelming during your first visit. So let me help you.
Here are some of their top sellers:
- The Founder - Diet Coke + Sugar-Free Coconut + Coconut Cream + Fresh Lime. It was the drink that started it all.
- Bloody Wild - Mountain Dew + Mango Puree + Strawberry Peach.
- Mountain Man - Energy Drink + Blackberry + Coconut + Half and Half + Mountain Dew + Fresh Lime. My absolute favorite!
- Pretty in Pink - Sparkling Water + Guava + Grapefruit + Fresh Orange.
- Raspberry Dream - Dr. Pepper + Raspberry Puree + Coconut Cream on Top.
Vegan Options at Swig?
There isn't a dedicated vegan menu at Swig. However, the good news is most of their sodas don't contain any animal products.
Yes, Swig does offer a kid's menu at a few select locations. Your little ones can enjoy a Mini Frosted Sugar Cookie with a choice of 2 Sprite-based drinks or 1 root beer drink.
Does Swig Deliver?
Yes, they do. You can place your order online on their official website or use platforms like GrubHub. Pick up your order or get it delivered at your convenience. Isn’t that handy!
What are Swig’s Operating Hours?
Swig runs from 730am to 930pm. However, these hours might vary depending on the location. As they plan to franchise soon, you might find Swig products being offered by Megaplex Theatres by 2023.
In a bootstrap 5 card, organized under 'pros' and 'cons,' here's what I thought of Swig based on my personal experience:
Pros:
- Convenient drive-through concept.
- Extensive and customizable drink menu.
- Even their sodas are vegan-friendly.
- They offer delivery services.
- Catering to all age groups with options in their menu.
Cons:
- Lack of food options.
- No dine-in service.
- Operating hours may vary.
- Kid's menu is not available at all locations.
- Too many choices can sometimes be overwhelming for a first-time visitor.