Gwynedd Stuart
When we aren’t eating hamburgers in our cars or skulking around our local grocery store’s frozen aisle, you can rest assured that we’re taste testing sodas, new and old. Seriously, the work fridge doesn’t contain a single bottle of water, but it overflows with cans of soda. It’s our own little slice of heaven on earth for fans of carbonation and high fructose corn syrup. Here are some of the best sodas we’ve tried so far this year.
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Nichol Kola
Most people are going to be resistant to what I’m about to say, but I need you to trust me (a professional food taste tester): This glass-bottled, old-timey-looking craft cola tastes better than Coke. In fact, my colleague Justine described it as a “Cokier Coke”—it just has so much flavor. If you happen to have a craft soda store in your neck of the woods, keep an eye out for this stuff.
Read our ranking of the best colas
Mountain Dew Supernova
Our neighbors to the north have universal healthcare (ugh, no fair) and they also have a new version of an old Mountain Dew flavor we love: Supernova. It’s strawberry-melon flavored and even though it lacks the original’s ginseng kick on the finish, it’s really good. If you happen to have a Canadian friend, ask them to send you a bottle or two.
Read the full review of Mountain Dew Supernova
Fanta Crimson Sour Cherry
Black cherry sodas are a dime a dozen, but this new Fanta flavor is classic red cherry—like, bright-red Kool-Aid flavor. And it’s tart without being sour enough to make you thirsty all over again.
Read the full review of Fanta Crimson Sour Cherry
Sprite Chill Mango Citrus
Sprite Chill has consistently impressed us. The lemon-lime soda with the cooling sensation has come out in a handful of varieties (Cherry-Lime was another banger), and this Walmart exclusive flavor earned high praise from critic Tyler Bowers. We love the way the mango flavor blends with the lemon-lime soda itself.
Read the full review of Sprite Chill Mango Citrus
Coca-Cola Cherry Float
Okay, we’ll admit that this dessert-y Coke tastes a lot like regular ol’ Cherry Coke, but Cherry Coke is one of the best sodas on the planet. And you can definitely taste the creaminess if you put your mind to it.
Read the full review of Coca-Cola Cherry Float
Dirty Mountain Dew
Frankly, it took waaaay too long for Mountain Dew to make a soda that’s infused with the rich, creamy flavor of cream soda. Thanks to the dirty soda trend, we now know this works (like, really well).
Read the full review of Dirty Mountain Dew
Justine Sterling
Tyler Bowers
Ariana Losch
Universal health care is government take over of health care. Many Canadians get put on a wait list or come to the US for help. If you don’t know that, I won’t trust you on anything else.