Around here in the rural Midwest, once the corn is high and the grill is going, she lines up mason jars on the laminate counter, pours this pretty swirled drink, and the grandkids and grownups alike hover around like it’s an ice cream parlor. It’s simple pantry ingredients: diet cola, coconut syrup, a squeeze of lime, and a splash of heavy cream, but together they make something that feels special and a little nostalgic, like a float in a small-town diner.
Serve this dirty cola ice-cold in mason jars, right after you pull the burgers or brats off the grill. It pairs especially well with smoky barbecue, salty chips, and anything hot off the smoker because the creamy sweetness cools your mouth and feels like dessert in a glass.
