# Mocktail-Inspired Chocolates Maeve's Virgin Dirty Shirley Chocolate Has Popping Candy & Cherries By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-06-17 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virgin-dirty-shirley-chocolate References: [sweetsandsnacks](https://sweetsandsnacks.com/fr/minpa/2026-awards-showcase/) & [maevechocolate](https://maevechocolate.com/products/virgin-dirty-shirley)  [Maeve's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fair-foods) Virgin Dirty Shirley chocolate bar is a dark, decadent treat inspired by the drink of choice of Princess Donut, a fan favorite from the Dungeon Crawler World. This sustainably sourced [dark chocolate truffle bar](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-batch-chocolate-bars), created in collaboration with Matt Dinniman, author of Dungeon Crawler Carl, appeals to sophisticated palates with sweet, dried cherries, fizzy popping candy and white chocolate. With its bubbly, grenadine-sweet, cherry-topped charm, an iconic soda mocktail is having a full-blown revival. As a drink that once made childhood dining feel fancy, the [Shirley Temple](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tempted-dirty-shirley) is recapturing the hearts of nostalgic adults who grew up sipping it on special occasions. Beyond the glass, fans are eager to experience the essence of the colorful soda mocktail in snackable, grown-up formats, and this dark chocolate bar delivers. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.6/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 55% | Freshness: 77% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Mocktail-flavored Confections:** Classic nonalcoholic drinks are becoming premium dessert inspirations, creating space for familiar beverage profiles to move into indulgent, adult-oriented snack formats. - **Nostalgic Adult Treats:** Childhood dining memories are being reinterpreted with sophisticated ingredients, revealing opportunities for brands to blend emotional familiarity with elevated taste expectations. - **Fandom Food Collaborations:** Entertainment-linked product partnerships are turning fictional references and character preferences into collectible edible experiences with built-in audience affinity. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Confectionery:** Premium chocolate makers are differentiating through layered textures, unexpected flavor cues and pop-culture storytelling that expand the category beyond traditional bars. - **Nonalcoholic Beverages:** The revival of mocktail culture is influencing adjacent food categories as soda-inspired flavors gain relevance among consumers seeking playful, alcohol-free indulgence. - **Licensing and Merchandising:** Narrative-driven collaborations between authors, creators and food brands are extending fan engagement into sensory products that function as both merchandise and treats. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Social Media-Inspired Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hersheys-dubaiinspired-chocolate-bar.md) - [Dubai Chocolate Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dubai-chocolate-soap.md) - [Decadent High-Quality Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lindt-chocolate-bar.md) - [Probiotic Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-with-probiotics.md) - [Topographical Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/made-in-california-bar.md) - [Bakery-Inspired Chocolate Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nestl-confectionery.md) - [Fudgy Citrus Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tcho-lemon-twist.md) - [Crispy Christmastime Restaurant Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noodles-company-holiday-crispy.md) - [Cinema-Inspired Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microbatch-chocolate-bars.md)