# Cola Wars - Coke or Pepsi (USA Only) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 3, 2011, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921 "2011-12-03T03:10:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/61 "2011-12-04T22:24:07Z")
In a strict one on one I like Pepsi better - it’s sweeter. Comparing diets I like diet Pepsi better too. Of course Throwback is better. OTOH in the realm of diet cherry, Coke Cherry Zero is the best. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/62 "2011-12-04T22:39:38Z")
> [@Cazzle](#): > > Coke. Pepsi is too sweet - I won’t drink it at all. And I wipe my feet on your USA Only welcome mat. I suspect that it is the use of corn syrup in the USA and cane sugar in come other countries that caused the “USA only” request. Coke tastes much better made with cane sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/63 "2011-12-04T22:45:35Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Pepsi is too fizzy and not sweet enough. Coke, please. Funny. Every time I have Coke it’s way fizzier than Pepsi. Also, Coke is way too sweet. Even if they were equally sweet and fizzy, there’s still a very different flavor to each where, for lack of better terms, Pepsi is a bit sharper and Coke is a bit softer. I will generally find I prefer the taste of Pepsi. Still, I don’t drink soda very often and whenever I have cola, though I have a preference, I don’t understand the whole refusal to drink the other. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/64 "2011-12-05T00:17:28Z")
I’ve always preferred Pepsi to Coke, whether with real sugar or not (although I far prefer with sugar rather than HFCS). The products are not identical, and were not intended to be. As William Poundstone notes, the general feeling among flavoring people is that Pepsi probably contains more lemon oil\* and Coke has more orange. There are undoubtedly different concentrations of other possible oils as well (lavender? neroli? nutmeg?). I doubt if Pepsi really contains more sweetener than Coke, but the flavor difference seems to convince people that it does. \*hence the suggestion, in old commercials, that you could drink Pepsi warmed with lemon, and the existence of pepsi products that explicitly had lemon flavoring added. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/65 "2011-12-05T00:24:53Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > \*hence the suggestion, in old commercials, that you could drink Pepsi warmed with lemon, and the existence of pepsi products that explicitly had lemon flavoring added. I thought that was Doctor Pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/66 "2011-12-05T00:26:45Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > Funny. Every time I have Coke it’s way fizzier than Pepsi. Also, Coke is way too sweet. Even if they were equally sweet and fizzy, there’s still a very different flavor to each where, for lack of better terms, Pepsi is a bit sharper and Coke is a bit softer. I will generally find I prefer the taste of Pepsi. You’re nuts. Pepsi is sweeter and Coke is sharper. That’s why Coke is ambrosia while Pepsi is liquid ass.\* \*OK, I exaggerate. Dr. Pepper is delicious. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/67 "2011-12-05T00:39:58Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I thought that was Doctor Pepper. You’re right – my memory played false. But the cite from Poundstone is correct (from his book **Big Secrets** ) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/68 "2011-12-05T00:47:23Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > You’re right – my memory played false. But the cite from Poundstone is correct (from his book **Big Secrets** ) I have Fought Ignorance! And won! Not just anyone’s ignorance, but CalMeachem! (What was that damn Sci Fi movie?) Do I get a cookie? Get out of banned free card? 🙂 You’re a better man than I, Cal! ---
**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 5, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/69 "2011-12-05T00:52:18Z")
Between the two, I’d pick Pepsi, though in fact I don’t regularly drink either (I have been getting Pepsi Throwback lately though). Of the main stream products I usually drink Dr Pepper. If I want a cola I go with one of the crafted micro-brew type colas like Pig Iron. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/70 "2011-12-05T01:28:01Z")
I’m abstaining from the actual poll on account of my Canadianity; I gather that sodas across the border taste different. The Coke and Pepsi I know are pretty similar, and I’m somewhat conscious that my preference for Coke is based largely on their advertising styles. Too many Pepsi commercials come across as kinda jackassy for me to be able to drink Pepsi without feeling a little jackassy myself. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/71 "2011-12-05T02:42:00Z")
I have always preferred Diet Coke over any Pepsi product. My wife likes Diet Pepsi. She will drink Diet Coke if Pepsi isn’t available, but I otoh would rather drink water than that God awful swill that is Pepsi. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/72 "2011-12-05T03:35:18Z")
I’d rather drink muddy rainwater out of puddles in the driveway than drink Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi. Coke Zero is ok, but again, usually mixed with rum or spiced rum. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/73 "2011-12-05T03:42:18Z")
What the hell is in Caffeine Free Diet Coke, food coloring and carbonated water? But I digress, carry on. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/74 "2011-12-05T03:45:17Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I’d rather drink muddy rainwater out of puddles in the driveway than drink Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi. Coke Zero is ok, but again, usually mixed with rum or spiced rum. Good Lord, Rum and Bavarian Horse Urine would… But again, I digress. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/75 "2011-12-05T04:12:34Z")
Coke, on ice with all the carbonation. None of this bottom of a 2 liter nonsense. Truly a wonderful experience after coming in on a hot day. I don’t want to drink it all day long like I did as a kid but that first glass when I’m thirsty… heaven. ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/76 "2011-12-05T05:05:52Z")
Pepsi, bitchez ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/77 "2011-12-05T15:46:23Z")
Waitress: And what to drink? Me: Coke. Waitress: Pepsi okay? Me: I’ll have water. Waitress(pissed off): We HAVE Pepsi. Me: I’d like water please. It seems to really piss off waitstaff when I refuse to substitute sodas. Pepsi and Coke taste way different, I don’t want to drink all those calories when I don’t like the taste of Pepsi. So what’s with the hostility? It’s like they’re selling soda on commission. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/78 "2011-12-05T17:24:13Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > So what’s with the hostility? It’s like they’re selling soda on commission. I have no idea why the waitstaff would be hostile, but I wonder about the hostility of some consumers, too. My mother is my go-to example. She is positively wrathful about how awful Pepsi is. (I have no idea how I came to prefer Pepsi growing up with her… maybe it was a subconscious rebellion. For me, though, Coke is too carbonated, so I have to drink it on ice and let a little ice melt first.) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/79 "2011-12-05T17:31:24Z")
Coke, generally of the glass-bottled, cane sugar, Mexican variety. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921/80 "2011-12-05T17:40:29Z")
Okay you have to tell us why you specified “US ONLY.” We have Coke AND Pepsi up in the Great White North too ya know, and no they’re not frozen like slushies. I didn’t vote (you know, since I’m in Ontario and didn’t want to skew the results) but my favourite drink of all time is Cherry Coke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cola-wars-coke-or-pepsi-usa-only/604921.md?page=5)