I love soda the way other people love coffee: It tastes great, I crave it, and I get headaches if I don’t have it. Some people might say I’m “addicted,” and to that I would sigh heavily and then agree with them.
While I consider myself a soda connoisseur, cola is not my specialty. I love Coca-Cola, but my experience with other colas is limited. I was excited to sit down and try all these cola-flavored drinks to see if my favorite, Coca-Cola, is really the best, and to find out what other colas are not getting enough credit.
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- Coca-Cola
There is nothing, and I mean nothing, more delicious than an ice-cold Coca-Cola. It’s so crisp and carbonated and sweet and refreshing. My mouth salivates when I hear a can of Coke open. I wish we still lived in a time when people believed Coke was medicine. I can’t say enough good things about Coca-Cola. Now that I’ve tried the others, I can say it truly is the best cola on the market. I am a diehard Coke lover and this taste test only confirmed it more.
Credit: Merc / Target
- Sam’s Cola
As much as I am a diehard Coca-Cola fan, I must admit that this Sam’s Cola from Walmart gets eerily close to tasting like Coke. If you’re having a huge pizza party and want sodas on the cheap, this would be a great option. Or if you’re using soda in something where it won’t be the solo star, like a rum and coke or a coke float, this would be a great, cheaper swap for the OG Coca-Cola.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- RC Cola
RC Cola (or Royal Crown Cola) has such a fun, vintage aesthetic. That’s what initially drew me to the can. I feel like I should be wearing bell bottoms and feathering my hair while I drink it. Or at least having a That ’70s Show marathon. Other than Sam’s Cola, RC tastes the most like regular Coca-Cola out of everything we tried. The flavor is great, the packaging is cool, and it’s affordable: What’s not to like?!
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Shasta Cola
Shasta Cola has a delicious, indescribable taste to it. It’s similar to Coca-Cola so it feels familiar, but it has its own little twist that makes it unique. There’s a very light fruitiness that is extremely intriguing. Tasting Shasta Cola felt more like tasting a fine wine than a canned soda. I hate to admit it, but I’ve been sleeping on this Coca-Cola alternative. It’s actually really good and I would absolutely buy it again!
Credit: Merc / Instacart
- Diet Coke
I’ll be honest with you, I do not like Diet Coke. I think it tastes very, very bad. That being said, I admire Diet Coke. It has such a unique flavor that has captivated millions. The Diet Coke fan base is loyal and committed and, to be honest, terrifying. I knew I had to put Diet Coke on the list before I ever tasted it because I was scared that Diet Coke fans would burn my apartment down if I didn’t.
Credit: Merc / Target
Best of the Best
Best Budget
Best Cult Favorite
Most Unique
Best Sugar-Free
Other Products We Tried: Boylan Cane Cola, Zevia Zero Calorie Cola, Poppi Classic Cola, Virgil’s Real Cola, Olipop Vintage Cola, Pepsi, Coca-Cola (bottled), Fentimans Curiosity Cola
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