# Coke or Pepsi? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [December 13, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445 "2017-12-13T23:37:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/41 "2017-12-14T15:30:59Z")
As a kid, I preferred Coke to Pepsi, but RC Cola (or Vess) to both, but they never have RC in soda fountains at restaurants, and I switched to diet soda a couple of decades ago, so it’s been Diet Coke for me pretty much exclusively for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/42 "2017-12-14T15:31:42Z")
I have always found it interesting that all three “major” colas were created originally in the South. Now that I live just a stone’s throw from North Carolina (home of Pepsi), I expected to see more Pepsi-only places. However, the Coke is strong with most of the South, so much so that even here near Charlotte, you often hear people using “Coke” as a synonym for “soda (pop)”. For what it is worth, I have always preferred Coca-Cola to Pepsi-Cola for taste reasons. But I drink diet sodas for the most part, and prefer those that are a cola with some added flavoring (example: Cherry Coke Zero). But the go-to drink is Diet Dr. Pepper these days. I’m kinda shocked no one has even made reference to the Dr. yet. Personally, I think it’s just a cola with attitude. One thing that always sits in the back of my mind with Pepsi: an old “jingle” my dad used to sing. “Pepsi-Cola hits the spot. Half-hour later hits the pot.” Not sure if this was real, or made up, but it certainly has truth! ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/43 "2017-12-14T15:35:39Z")
Coke, though I actually prefer some of the small batch pure cane sugar sodas like [Pig Iron](https://fivestarsoda.com/2015/09/06/pig-iron-cola/). ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/44 "2017-12-14T15:46:42Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > I have always found it interesting that all three “major” colas were created originally in the South. I have the impression that the South traditionally has (or had) much more of a sweet tooth than the rest of the country. Oh, and Dr. Pepper tastes like medicine. Every few years when I try it again I can totally understand why [soda started out as patent medicine](https://www.csicop.org/si/show/pop_culture_patent_medicines_become_soda_drinks). ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/45 "2017-12-14T15:55:58Z")
They both taste like malted battery acid, frankly ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/46 "2017-12-14T15:59:20Z")
Coke, regular or diet. I don’t drink much soda, but if I do, it’s Coke. Pepsi is cheap, flat, and sweet. It pairs well with a bag of cheeze curls and a slice of rolled up dolalr store baloney. I have a friend who drinks it by the liter, gulping it down glass after glass as though parched from thirst in the desert.:mad: You know what’s really good, is Fentiman’s Curiosity Cola, sold in a 4-pack sometimes found in the natural foods section. It has an old-fashioned faintly medicinal taste, as you might imagine a real old-timey original Coke might taste in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/47 "2017-12-14T16:06:59Z")
Not a fan of Coke, much prefer heroin. Oh the soda? Coke (with a lemon in it please) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/48 "2017-12-14T16:46:46Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > I have the impression that the South traditionally has (or had) much more of a sweet tooth than the rest of the country. > > Oh, and Dr. Pepper tastes like medicine. Every few years when I try it again I can totally understand why [soda started out as patent medicine](https://www.csicop.org/si/show/pop_culture_patent_medicines_become_soda_drinks). It doesn’t taste like medicine to me, but I do find it kind of nasty. Its popularity somewhat surprises me. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/49 "2017-12-14T16:49:23Z")
Here’s the thing: I prefer Coke to Pepsi but Diet Pepsi to Diet Coke. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/50 "2017-12-14T16:56:14Z")
Gotta go with Diet Pepsi; the can colors are better. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/51 "2017-12-14T16:59:31Z")
I live in Atlanta (metro) ; I’m pretty sure it’s against the law to drink Pepsi here. 🙂 > **[Atlanta Attraction, Museum, & Venue | World of Coca-Cola](https://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/)** > > Welcome to the World of Coca-Cola, an Atlanta attraction through the history of Coca-Cola with interactive exhibits & beverage samples. Get your tickets today! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/52 "2017-12-14T17:20:06Z")
Diet Coke is the nectar of the gods. ---
**Author:** ![UncleMoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e0b2c6/32.png) [@UncleMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleMoose)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/53 "2017-12-14T17:23:07Z")
until they replaced the Aspartame with sucralose. Sucralose and my intestinal system do not get along. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/54 "2017-12-14T17:29:35Z")
Diet Pepsi…when I can’t get Diet Dr. Pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Srsly\_Dad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@Srsly\_Dad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Srsly_Dad)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/55 "2017-12-14T18:25:51Z")
Diet Pepsi, unless I am in China then Coke Light because the DP in China does not taste right at all ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/56 "2017-12-14T18:36:02Z")
Oh, yeah, Dr Pepper is great-- It’s just too bad that you can never find a noncaffeinated version of it (it’s hard enough finding non-caffeinated non-diet versions of any cola). And for whatever reason, none of the off-brands ever taste as good (Mr Pibb is pretty good, too, but in a different way). And no diet pop, ever. If all that’s available is diet, then I’ll just have water, or go thirsty. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/57 "2017-12-14T18:55:25Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Oh, yeah, Dr Pepper is great-- It’s just too bad that you can never find a noncaffeinated version of it (it’s hard enough finding non-caffeinated non-diet versions of any cola). And for whatever reason, none of the off-brands ever taste as good (Mr Pibb is pretty good, too, but in a different way). > > And no diet pop, ever. If all that’s available is diet, then I’ll just have water, or go thirsty. Apparently, [both Caffeine-Free and Diet Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper exist.](https://www.drpepper.com/en/products) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/58 "2017-12-14T19:07:29Z")
Maybe it exists, but you can still never find it. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/59 "2017-12-14T19:07:53Z")
For [drinking](http://pmglobal.en.alibaba.com/product/1628295339-200792611/New_arrival_Drinking_Hard_Hat_coke_cap_Lazy_essential_Soda_helmet_Drink_helmet_CT_508.html), [cooking](http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/ham-in-coca-cola-23899) and making [ice cream treats](http://www.top-10-food.com/recipes-for-ice-cream-soda/)it’s Coca Cola, hands down. For [cleaning battery terminals](http://bryce-cardetails.blogspot.com/2011/05/pepsi-on-battery-terminals.html), Pepsi in a landslide. [sub]Not really, though. Pepsi is not even especially good for that[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445/60 "2017-12-14T19:28:50Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > One thing that always sits in the back of my mind with Pepsi: an old “jingle” my dad used to sing. “Pepsi-Cola hits the spot. Half-hour later hits the pot.” Not sure if this was real, or made up, but it certainly has truth! Your dad sang a parody of the [actual jingle](http://home.earthlink.net/~pepsicop/pepsi_home.htm). More takeoffs can be found [here](http://playgroundjungle.com/2009/12/pepsi-cola-hits-the-spot.html), along with a short clip of the ad. To answer the OP: I picked Coke, but specifically prefer Cherry Coke. I’ll drink regular Pepsi before any diet pop, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-or-pepsi/804445.md?page=4)