Local entrepreneurs Madi and Will have transformed a quirky American beverage trend into Australia’s first permanent dirty soda shop, bringing customisable soft drinks to the vibrant streets of Fortitude Valley.
A Fresh Take on Soft Drinks
Originating in the United States over a decade ago, dirty soda is a unique twist on standard carbonated drinks. The concept involves taking a basic soft drink, such as cola or sparkling water, and mixing it with flavoured syrups, fresh fruit purées, and a splash of cream. Originally created as a sweet substitute for coffee and alcoholic beverages, the drinks recently gained global attention through American reality television.
Seeing the trend grow overseas, business owner Madeline Holthe wanted to bring the experience to her local community. After a successful run operating out of a brightly coloured pop-up trailer at various Brisbane markets in early 2024, she and co-founder Will expanded the operation into a permanent storefront.
Retro Vibes and Custom Flavours
Located in California Lane, the new shop called What’s Poppin’ offers a highly visual and nostalgic experience. The founders designed the space themselves, decorating it with pink splash walls, bright blue tiles, and neon signs. While there is not much seating inside, the scenic laneway provides a great place for visitors to walk and enjoy their drinks. The menu features 30 signature options using bases like Coke Zero, Mountain Dew, and energy drinks.
A crowd favourite is the signature drink called Sodies, which blends Coca-Cola with fresh lime, coconut, and coconut cream. Another popular choice is the Ocean soda, made with Blue Curacao, passionfruit, and coconut creamer. Customers can also completely customise their orders, a feature Holthe believes allows adults to feel the childhood excitement of visiting a lolly shop. Alongside the drinks, the store serves cookies in flavours like Nutella and Biscoff, with plans to add hot toasted sandwiches soon.
A Nationwide Beverage Shift
Starting the business was not completely smooth at first. Holthe noted that Australian consumers are sometimes slow to adopt new trends, initially making the early months of the business challenging. However, she observed that once locals tasted the unique flavour combinations, they quickly became regular customers. The success of What’s Poppin’ has sparked a wider movement across the country.
Similar independent shops are now appearing in Sydney and Melbourne. Even major fast-food chains are taking notice, with McDonald’s testing a range of iced dirty sodas in Queensland and Victoria, while Hungry Jack’s recently introduced a dirty cola mixed with coffee-style creamer and coconut syrup.
Planning a Visit
For those wanting to try the dessert-style drinks, the shop is located at 22 McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley. The store operates Tuesday through Sunday, offering daytime service throughout the week along with extended late-night hours until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays to cater to the busy weekend laneway crowd.
Published Date 25-May-2026
