This Is Not a Drill! Mug’s New Dirty Soda Is Launching SOON

It’s almost spring, so you know what that means—no, I’m not talking about the Easter bunny or March Madness or even the snow that’s blocking your door from opening finally melting. The arrival of spring brings with it a new Mug Root Beer flavor: Mug Root Beer Floats Vanilla Howler. 

What is Mug Root Beer Floats Vanilla Howler?

This is Mug’s take on the dirty soda trend. As the name implies, it’s supposed to be like a root beer float in a can. And it’s going to be available in both full sugar and zero sugar. 

Why is it called a “Howler?”

It’s hard to say, really. I thought that, perhaps, Howler was a regional name for a float. But nope! Judging by an Instagram post from Mug, it’s called a Howlder because it’s going to “make thirsty dawgs howl.” Sure, Mug! Whatever! I’m into it. 

Is it going to be any good?

Sporked soda expert Tyler Bowers got an early taste of both the full sugar and zero sugar versions of Mug Root Beer Floats Vanilla Howler and you can read his full review. But if you want the TL;DR version, the answer is yes, these new Mug sodas are going to be pretty darn good—especially the zero sugar version, which blew Tyler away with its vanilla-forward flavor and lack of artificial sweetener aftertaste.  

When is it going to be available?

When the news first broke, all reports said that these new Mug sodas would drop in spring of 2026. And we’re still hoping that’s the case. But in the above mentioned Instagram post from late 2025, Mug wrote that the dawgs would be howling “next summer.” We’ll be looking out for some early drops the moment the spring equinox hits—but we might be waiting longer to “guzzle Mug wiff ice creme,” as Mug’s mascot, Dog, stated, per the Instagram post. 

If this new Mug flavor sounds good to you, be sure to snag a few cans or bottles. It’s only going to be available for a limited time.