- March 31, 2026
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Lakewood Ranch’s Amber Hanratty was lying on her couch, scrolling through TikTok videos of people who were making "dirty sodas" all over the country, except in Florida.
She was inspired to follow in their footsteps and created the mobile business, Dirty Sara-Soda.
“These girls were their own bosses and they had their friends working with them,” Hanratty said of the business owners she saw online. “They were having fun. They picked their own events and they were running the show."
But even more important, they were making good money.
"I told my husband (James) ‘It's a chance, but it's a chance I want to take.’”
His response was, "Dirty what?"
For the last 25 years, Hanratty had been in the homebuilding and construction business, so this was her chance to own something herself. She llaunched Dirty Sara-Soda in January.
Dirty sodas are a mixture of soda and syrups, with no alcohol.
“Watching Amber build this from the ground up has been incredible,” James Hanratty said. “She's had this vision for a while and seeing her actually go out and make it real — the trailer, the menu, all of it — is something I'm genuinely proud of. She puts everything into what she does and Dirty Sara-Soda is no different.”
It was Amber and James's 14-year-old son, Bronx, who came up with the name of the business. He and his mom were driving down I-75 when he stretched his arms out in the air and emphasized the "sota" in Sarasota.
Bronx Hanratty often makes sure their customers know where the name originated.
"Whenever customers come up and talk about the name, I am the first one to say, 'Oh yeah, that’s me' and they always laugh," Bronx Hanratty said. It’s awesome to see my mom grow like this."
Once she started her business, Amber Hanratty has worked a variety of events including Ranch Nite Wednesdays at Waterside Place. One of her first events was with Sunshine Movers in January. Blake Fitzpatrick, owner and founder of Sunshine Movers, said Dirty Sara-Soda’s drinks are unique and are great non-alcoholic drinks for events, especially when kids are present.
“My kids love them and I have three kids,” Fitzpatrick said. “They each went and came back, two or three times to hit me up for money.”
Amber Hanratty offers dirty sodas, build-your-own sodas, refreshers and lemonades. She also offers seasonal menus. She named the drinks after different locations and things in the Sarasota area. Examples include “The Ringling,” “Manatee Float,” “Siesta Beach,” and “Bayfront Breeze.”
“I wanted it to be a Sarasota staple,” said Hanratty, who lives with her family in Indigo. “I wanted it to represent Sarasota because Sarasota has so much to offer.”
Fitzpatrick said he is impressed by how quickly Hanratty has booked so many events.
“I know people who have their own pop ups and other mobile bars and they all start off just doing one or two events here and there,” Fitzpatrick said. “Every time I look at my Facebook, she’s at another location doing another thing and not just little things. She’s doing events that involve communities and businesses. Places that people work their butts off to get to and she’s already there.”
One of Amber Hanratty’s priorities is to have excellent customer service. She wants to be remembered for more than just the product itself.
“People are going to remember, it was a great drink, but I want them to remember ‘She was amazing,’” Hanratty said. “‘She directed me to the right drink. She's so fun. She always has a smile on her face. She loves our people in our community.’ That's the thing I want to be remembered, not just for my product, but it's a package.”
Tranell Khan, the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy cooperative cochair, said she was impressed by Hanratty and Dirty Sara-soda when she was hired for a school staff appreciation event.
“She was friendly and so easy to work with,” Khan said. “We had the best experience with her and her soda truck! The drinks were creative, delicious and fully customizable. The staff loved her drinks and are still talking about them. I highly recommend for any party, school event or celebration. We will definitely be bringing her back!”
Hanratty offers loyalty cards to repeat customers.
“When I see people in line and they got this in their hand, that is such a good feeling for me,” Hanratty said. “That means they're coming back because they loved it so much.”
Hanratty’s goal is to eventually have a brick and mortar in Sarasota.
"I hope every customer walks away smiling — not just because the drink is amazing, but because they felt seen and taken care of," Hanratty said. "My goal is to build something this community is proud of, something that feels like it truly belongs here in the 941."
