Navigating the supermarket soda aisle can be daunting, given the plethora of diet soda options. From classic Diet Coke and Diet Dr. Pepper to sugar-free versions of various root beers and fruit punches, the choices seem endless. This article delves into a taste-testing journey of some of the most popular diet sodas available, focusing primarily on flavor.
Understanding Diet Soda Varieties
One might wonder about the distinction between "zero" and "diet" sodas. For instance, what differentiates Diet Coke from Coke Zero? This exploration aims to address such questions by personally sampling and evaluating a range of diet sodas in terms of flavor and overall appeal.
Taste-Testing Methodology
The primary focus of this evaluation is flavor. Unless otherwise specified, the standard price for sodas tested was $2.28 per bottle or $7.28 per 12-pack.
Diet Soda Brand Reviews
15. Diet Mountain Dew
The regular version of Mountain Dew has a dedicated following, particularly among those who appreciate its high caffeine content for alertness. Diet Mountain Dew, however, was a disappointment. Its yellowish-green color was reminiscent of Hi-C Ecto Cooler, but the soda lacked a discernible aroma. The flavor was vaguely orangey and limey, fading quickly and leaving a sense of pointlessness. This soda failed to excite the taste buds.
14. Canada Dry Zero Sugar Ginger Ale
Canada Dry Ginger Ale, originally created in 1904, aimed to be a lighter alternative to the heavier ginger ales of the time. The zero-sugar version retained this lightness, but its aroma was weak, and the taste was subtle and muted. While it lacked the expected gingery kick, it could serve as a decent drink mixer.
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13. Sunkist Zero Sugar
Sunkist Zero Sugar contains approximately 19 milligrams of caffeine per 12 fluid ounces. While it offers a slight orange aroma, the flavor is light and somewhat underwhelming, fading quickly and leaving a synthetic coating. Despite containing natural flavors, it comes off as artificially flavored. However, it is refreshing and might be enjoyable on a hot day.
12. Pepsi Zero
In the ongoing rivalry between Pepsi and Coca-Cola, Pepsi held the second position until Dr. Pepper surpassed it. Pepsi Zero, surprisingly, leans more towards Coke than Dr. Pepper in flavor, with a lemony citrus tinge. Its unique flavor profile can be described as "lemon toffee caramel" with a sweet, lingering aftertaste, making it a popular choice for many.
11. Coke Zero
Launched in 2005, Coke Zero aimed to provide a healthier option for regular Coca-Cola drinkers, especially young men who found Diet Coke too feminine. Coke Zero closely resembles the flavor of regular Coke, with a more intense lemon base evident in both aroma and taste. It can be an easier transition for those switching from regular Coke due to its similarity in taste. The lemony tinge makes it feel more refreshing than Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Pepper.
10. Cherry Coke Zero
Cherry Coke Zero offers a mild aroma that is more Coke than cherry. While the cherry flavor is present, it is not as intense as expected. The cherry flavor becomes more pronounced as the beverage warms up. However, the cherry flavoring can taste synthetic over time, similar to the experience with Sunkist.
9. Poppi
Poppi stands out as a healthier soda option with prebiotic fiber, apple cider vinegar, and a small amount of sugar (five grams or less) and calories (25 or fewer). The tested Poppi variety contained four grams of sugar and 4% juice, providing a noticeable real-sugar sweetness. The strawberry element offers bubblegum-lemonade vibes, but the apple cider vinegar taste is quite distinct.
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8. A\&W Zero Sugar Root Beer
In the root beer arena, A\&W is known for its creamy, milder flavor compared to Barq's sharper bite. The initial sip may be disappointing due to the toned-down root beer flavor, but the creamy notes grow on the palate. While the flavor lingers, it may be too dessert-like for an everyday drink.
7. Olipop Strawberry Vanilla
Olipop is another prebiotic soda with dietary fiber and less sugar than traditional sodas. The Strawberry Vanilla flavor has an attractive pink color and a pleasing strawberry aroma. The real sugar provides a sweet and decadent taste without an unpleasant aftertaste. However, with nine grams of fiber per can, it should be consumed in moderation. It is also pricier than conventional sugar-free sodas.
6. Sprite Zero
Sprite Zero, with its revamped label in 2023, offers a fairly strong lemon-lime scent and a moderately sweet flavor. The taste fades quickly but leaves a nice lemon zing. It is refreshing, caffeine-free, and suitable as a mixer.
5. Diet Pepsi
Diet Pepsi is surprisingly enjoyable, with a hard-hitting opening note. The flavor has an almost medicinal tone with tinges of caramel, vanilla, citrus, and ginger. Despite the challenge of defining the taste, it provides a very pleasant experience.
4. Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar
Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar is a sugar-free version of the regular product, while Diet Dr. Pepper is calorie-free. Dr. Pepper Zero has less aroma than Diet Dr. Pepper, but the flavor is amplified and packs a punch. It is a zero-sugar alternative that works well in recipes. However, its intensity may be overwhelming for those accustomed to Diet Dr. Pepper.
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3. Fresca
Fresca, around since the mid-1960s, offers a refreshing and tasty experience. Made with concentrated grapefruit juice, it has a slightly cloudy appearance. The flavor lives up to its name, meaning "fresh" in several languages, and offers a pleasant hint of grapefruit tartness. It is also caffeine-free.
2. Diet Coke
Diet Coke, introduced in the early 1980s, has a crisp, refreshing, and vaguely lemony flavor. It is a very inoffensive beverage, avoiding extremes, making it a good mixer for any time of the day.
1. Diet Dr. Pepper
Despite Dr. Pepper Zero's close resemblance to the regular version, Diet Dr. Pepper remains the top choice. It offers a strong cherry aroma and a lighter, signature cherry base. While Dr. Pepper Zero may be too sweet and strongly flavored for an everyday drink, Diet Dr. Pepper is perfect for any occasion.
Other Diet Soda Options
Several other diet soda options are worth considering:
- Diet Starry: It tastes similar to the original soda with a slightly odd aftertaste.
- Reed's Zero Sugar Extra Ginger Beer: Crisp, clean, and sweet, though it has a hint of artificial sweetener.
- A\&W Zero Sugar Cream Soda: It tastes more like cream soda than diet cotton candy soda, making it easy to drink.
- Squirt Zero Sugar: Zestier, tangier, and more grapefruit soda-y than Fresca, with tiny, prickly bubbles.
- Diet Dr. Brown’s Black Cherry: It has an intense candied black cherry flavor that is vibrant, sweet, and creamy.
- Diet Stewart’s Root Beer: It doesn’t taste like fake sweetener and is sweet and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sassafras root.
- Diet Sunkist: Citrusy, fresh, and without a chemical taste, resembling the best orange soda.
Factors Influencing Ranking
The ranking of these diet sodas was based on a single taste-tester's preferences. The sodas were consumed cold from a glass without ice. Cost was a factor only when a beverage was significantly more expensive, such as the prebiotic sodas. The ideal diet soda should taste like its non-diet counterpart, avoiding any blatant artificial sweetener taste.