# Coca-Cola Zero -- Tried it? Like it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 13, 2005, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121 "2005-06-13T18:53:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aerodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/1 "2005-06-13T18:53:26Z")
I saw some of the new stuff on display at the store yesterday. And decided to grab a couple bottles for me and my wife to try. I know it’s just come out, and may not be in all markets yet. I haven’t event seen any advertising for it…just some mentions that it’s on its way this summer. First off, I love Coca-Cola. Sweet nectar of the gods. But I try not to drink it as much as I used to, because it’s a lot of empty calories and my metabolism isn’t what it used to be. Also because I’m tired of making my dentist’s Lexus payments. So, when I do drink soda, I try to buy diet. But I can’t stand diet cola. Diet Coke is the foulest substance on earth, and something that tastes that much like synthetic chemicals isn’t fit for human consumption. I stick mainly to the diet versions of things like Sprite, root beer, Mt. Dew and Dr. Pepper. All are less vile than any diet cola. When C2 came out last year, I was pleased with it. Definitely not too diet-y, but I wasn’t about to confuse it for the Real Thing. Still drinkable, and half the sugar is a good start, right? A month or so ago, I got to try the Diet Coke with Splenda. To me, it tastes nothing like Diet Coke. How do I know this? Because rather than make me cringe in disgust, I find it to be almost tasty. My wife says it’s too sweet, but it suits my palate just fine. (“Too sweet?” I know what the words _mean_, but they don’t make sense together.) DCwS is the only cola with “Diet” in the name that I will let touch my tongue. Finally, this brings us to the latest in a long line of almost-Cokes: Coke Zero. It’s okay. Slightly diet-y, but still far enough on this side of my disgust threshold to remain drinkable. It actually strikes me as a little weak-tasting. It’s not extra sweet like regular Coke or DCwS, which is why my wife says she likes it more than the DCwS. But to me, that lack of sugary kick leaves it feeling a little flat (not in the carbonation sense). But the flavor is better, and truer to Coca-Cola Classic than the DCwS, which compares to Classic only in sweetness. If Coke Zero were sweetened the same way as DCwS, it would be great. Why didn’t they use Splenda in the new product? It’s aspartame and Acesulfame K. ☹ Diet Coke and Coke Classic use different flavors, obviously. As I understand it, this was a compromise back in the '70s when they invented DC. They couldn’t make Classic taste right with artificial sweetener, so they changed the cola flavor. My guess is that Coke Zero is what they would have developed if they had had the technology at the time. Again, it’s okay…not much more. But for now my favorite no-calorie Coke remains Diet Coke with Splenda. But in no way do I consider any of these pretenders to be a suitable substitute for regular Coke, which is a shame. So, have you tried Coke Zero yet? What are your thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/2 "2005-06-13T19:30:16Z")
I glanced at it in the grocery store. I would _swear_ it said it was caffeine free. Because I enjoy Coke mainly as a caffeine delivery system, I passed it by. However, I can’t find anything about caffeine-free-ness in the [press release.](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7257920/) Guess I better take another look. As far as I’m concerned, Diet Coke with Splenda is the end-all, be-all of diet sodas, but I’m willing to give Coke Zero a try. Is it just me, or is the diet cola market getting a little crowded? Diet Coke, Diet Coke with Splenda, Diet Coke with Lime, Diet Coke with Vanilla, C2, Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, Diet Pepsi Twist, Diet Pepsi with Lime, Diet Pepsi with Vanilla, Pepsi One, Pepsi Edge . . . It’s almost a given that when you decide that you really like one variety, it will turn out that it’s onlyavailable in one convenience store on the other side of town, and after a few weeks it will disappear from the shelves forever. ---
**Author:** ![Sinusoidal\_Saurus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71e660/32.png) [@Sinusoidal\_Saurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinusoidal_Saurus)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/3 "2005-06-13T19:53:28Z")
I like it a lot. I’ve never been able to drink Diet Coke, which tastes like artificially-sweetened battery acid to me. Coke Zero tastes pretty much like regular coke, with no artificial aftertaste. And it does have caffeine added. SS ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/4 "2005-06-13T20:41:14Z")
I just tried it this morning. I am a regular diet soda drinker, but plain diet coke/pepsi is not a favorite. I definitely like Coke Zero better than Diet Coke. Going to buy a six-pack tonight! Susan ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/5 "2005-06-13T23:41:34Z")
There’s also cherry versions of both diet coke and diet pepsi. I hope coke zero comes to KC soon… ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/6 "2005-06-13T23:50:53Z")
Diet Coke junkie checking in. Coke Zero? Never even heard of it, but sure…I’ll give it a try. Tried the stuff with Splenda…it is not wretchedly horrible, but would only drink it again if there were no Diet Coke within a 3 hour drive. Geez…how many variations of Coke can they come out with? ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/7 "2005-06-14T00:46:17Z")
I can’t drink Diet Coke with Splenda. Nor can I drink Diet Rite, which also uses Splenda. It tastes _too much_ like sugar. I don’t like very sweet things. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/8 "2005-06-14T02:26:59Z")
I like Diet Coke with Splenda. It’s Diet Coke without the wierd chemical aftertaste that Nutrasweet leaves. Diet Coke with Lime is good, too. I haven’t seen Coca-Cola Zero around here. I’ll have to keep an eye out for it. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/9 "2005-06-14T03:06:51Z")
I like Diet Coke with Splenda, but I hate regular Diet Coke. I’ll have to check out Coke Zero - that’s my dream soda- regula soda without calories. Woohoo! E. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/10 "2005-06-14T14:16:05Z")
> [@aerodave](#): > > Diet Coke is the foulest substance on earth … Tab can only fantasize about being as tasty as Diet Coke. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/11 "2005-06-14T14:43:39Z")
So what’s the difference between regular Diet Coke and this new Coke Zero? ---
**Author:** ![aerodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/12 "2005-06-14T15:09:21Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > So what’s the difference between regular Diet Coke and this new Coke Zero? See the next-to-last paragraph in my OP. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/13 "2005-06-14T15:30:15Z")
I haven’t seen Coke Zero. I don’t drink soda, so I don’t even know what’s out there. Are they still making regular old Diet Coke? Or is it just Diet Coke with Splenda and now Coke Zero? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/14 "2005-06-14T15:31:55Z")
They should have called it “New Diet Coke” or “Diet New Coke”… ---
**Author:** ![AmbushBug](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ambushbug/32/4600_2.png) [@AmbushBug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmbushBug)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/15 "2005-06-14T17:14:18Z")
I am in current possession of Coke Zero, which is not currently available in my home market. The ingredients list contains caffeine. > [@bordelond](#): > > Tab can only fantasize about being as tasty as Diet Coke. IMHO, “Coke Zero flavor” == “TAB flavor”. Or very close to it. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/16 "2005-06-15T00:58:45Z")
Tried it just yesterday because this thread made me want to. It tastes the same to me. Diet Coke, Coke with Lime, Vanilla Coke, and Coke all taste about the same to me. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/17 "2005-06-15T01:58:09Z")
> [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > Tried it just yesterday because this thread made me want to. > It tastes the same to me. Diet Coke, Coke with Lime, Vanilla Coke, and Coke all taste about the same to me. Huh? Did you gargle battery acid when you were younger? I don’t know anyone who thinks that Coke and Diet Coke taste the same. Most people I know think that Vanilla Coke is kinda gross, and most who have tried Coke with Lime like it. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/18 "2005-06-15T02:45:57Z")
I thought the new Diet Coke with Splenda tasted a lot like Diet Rite. Must be the Splenda and I liked them both. I just saw Coke Zero tonight _after_ I went throught the checkout lane. I’ll pick up a bottle tomorrow and report in. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/19 "2005-06-15T03:26:01Z")
I guess my taste buds are screwed up then. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121/20 "2005-06-15T04:07:49Z")
I have a bottle sitting right next to my keyboard and I guess my tastebuds are AWOL at the moment because I just can’t distinguish any flavor. I’ve taken at least half a dozen sips, tried intensifying the flavors by aerating it, and even taken a gulp when all else failed and I’m not tasting anything except a vague undercurrent of something that almost tastes like cinnamon. Other than that, nothing. It seems aptly named. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-zero-tried-it-like-it/308121.md?page=2)