# "Vanilla Coke. I wonder what that tastes like." **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 26, 2002, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992 "2002-06-26T06:35:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/1 "2002-06-26T06:35:29Z")
I’ve had people say “Oh, you’re drinking a Vanilla Coke. What does that taste like?” 😕 Do you really have to ask? It’s Vanilla Coke. **Vanilla**. **Coke**. Not “Secret Ingredient Coke”. Not “2,2,3 Trimethyl Heptane Coke”. Vanilla Coke. What do you **think** it tastes like? Whether it’s good or not is a matter of opinion. But how it tastes should not be a surprise to anyone. ---
**Author:** ![leechbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@leechbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leechbabe)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/2 "2002-06-26T06:57:03Z")
But is it smooth, sharp, tangy??? I knew what I thought Lemon Diet Coke would taste like and boy was I wrong on that one. You would think **Lemon** and **Diet Coke** nope, nada, wrong, bzzt next contestant please. So I reckon its a valid question - what does vanilla coke taste like. I would assume like a vanilla ice-cream spider (without the cream) but then maybe I assume wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Neptune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@Neptune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neptune)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/3 "2002-06-26T06:59:56Z")
A couple friends and I shared a Vanilla Coke, just to see what it tasted like. We all agreed, it’s cream soda … dark cream soda. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/4 "2002-06-26T07:23:13Z")
Yeah, but do you think it tastes unlike vanilla? You’re right, **leechbabe** , that there are some things that are misnamed, or that have surprise tastes, but this isn’t one of them. And even so, do you regularly assume that’s the case? It’s sort of like asking, “Raisin bran. What’s in that?” because you think there might be some unknown element. ---
**Author:** ![leechbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@leechbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leechbabe)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/5 "2002-06-26T07:32:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Achernar \* > \*\*Yeah, but do you think it tastes unlike vanilla? > > You’re right, **leechbabe** , that there are some things that are misnamed, or that have surprise tastes, but this isn’t one of them. And even so, do you regularly assume that’s the case? It’s sort of like asking, “Raisin bran. What’s in that?” because you think there might be some unknown element. \*\* I don’t always assume there will be a surprise taste, it was just the bad experience with Lemon Diet Coke has made me wary of cola beverages and new flavours. The only odd sounding beverage I’ve refused to drink was a carbonated milk drink. Not for this little leech ta muchly. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/6 "2002-06-26T07:37:34Z")
Go to the store. Buy some Coke. Buy some vanilla extract. Put about 3/4 of a teaspoon of vanilla in a can’s worth of Coke. Stir. Drink. Sigh in ecstacy. The stuff on the shelves called “Vanilla Coke” is but a pale shadow of the true glory of vanilla-y Cokedom that you can make in the kitchen. I suppose that if I hadn’t been making it myself all along, I might be fooled into thinking that what’s being sold is what vanilla + Coke tastes like. ---
**Author:** ![leechbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@leechbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leechbabe)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/7 "2002-06-26T07:43:21Z")
**BraheSilver** I was very confused by your post for a bit - thought you’d written Condom not Cokedom. My minds in the gutter today. Still Vanilla Condoms Mmmmm. Back to the topic - would the imitation vanilla flavouring work to add to coke or does it have to be the real thing? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/8 "2002-06-26T07:58:38Z")
Okay, I’m gonna get myself in trouble by going on memory. Years ago I recall Consumer Reports doing a soft drink story. The article hit themes like “flavor notes” and “mouth feel.” I recall they _did_ separate Coke from Pepsi by saying that Coca Cola leaned toward vanilla while Pepsi leaned toward citrus. For the diehards reading this…I recall they suggested that RC leaned heaviest on Cola notes. The introduction of a vanilla Coke may just be the Coca Cola Company way of targeting their power audience. BraheSilver may be a portion of that power audience that has already found a better way. And yes, Achernar, I agree. I would be a crappy surprise to open a can of “Vanilla Coke” and take a swig of something that tasted like licorice. ---
**Author:** ![hazel-rah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hazel-rah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazel-rah)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/9 "2002-06-26T10:03:33Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s sort of like asking, “Raisin bran. What’s in that?” because you think there might be some unknown element. Fucking _Grape Nuts_! What the hell! ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_Gilligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kid\_Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_Gilligan)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/10 "2002-06-26T11:32:42Z")
I had tried Coke with vanilla syrup and was a fan. The Vanilla Coke that’s on the shelves now, reminds me of the flavor of Kaopectate. Granted, as a kid, I always thought Kaopectate was among the most palatable of medicines my mother made me take, but not good enough to qualify as a favorite beverage on a hot day. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/11 "2002-06-26T11:53:51Z")
Vanilla Coke on the shelves reminds me of vanilla vodka and Coke, but without the vodka. It just tastes _wrong_. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/12 "2002-06-26T13:10:44Z")
I really like Vanilla Coke. Doesn’t taste like bone fide cream soda to me at all. And the only vanilla I get is in my ice cream, and I can’t say it really tasted like **that** , either. So I think it would be a logical question to ask how it tasted. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/13 "2002-06-26T13:16:45Z")
**OH MY GOD!!!** I tried a _ **Captain ‘N’ Vanilla Coke** _ the other day and thought I had died and gone to heaven… Try it if you can!! ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/14 "2002-06-26T15:01:46Z")
I like Vanilla Coke. I don’t like cream soda. I can tell that they are obviously close in flavor, but they are not the same. Vanilla Coke is “dark cream soda” not just in color, but in flavor; it is considerably less sweet, which makes it more palatable to me. I imagine Vanilla Coke would go nicely with alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![SpidyReb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@SpidyReb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpidyReb)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/15 "2002-06-26T15:15:02Z")
racinchikki: you’re very right. Try putting a shot of Crown Royal in a bottle of Vanilla Coke. It’s amazing. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/16 "2002-06-26T15:48:15Z")
Ok, now you’ve got me interested. I want some alcohol in _my_ Vanilla Coke! And I was waiting for the chance to taste VC before purchasing because while I know what vanilla coke tastes like, I didn’t know what Vanilla Coke tastes like. Know what I mean? Anyway, last week there was a sample lady at the grocery store. You better believe after tasting VC, I bought the 12 pack. That’s some good stuff!! ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/17 "2002-06-26T16:36:19Z")
I don’t think people are asking: what does Vanilla taste like? nor are they implying: duh. Vanilla Coke, does that taste like oranges? (insert glazed look). I think it’s a pretty safe bet that most people are inquiring about the combination. as in: huh, Vanilla coke. Is it very Vanilla-y? or is it a strong coke taste followed by a hint of Vanilla? Is it a chemical tasting Vanilla? Is it French Vanilla? Mexican Vanilla? Perhaps it is Madagascar Vanilla picked at precisely 3:00pm (mountain time) by a man named Julio Valdez (Juan’s brother)? some people are picky about their Vanilla. gesh! it’s too bad they don’t make decaf vanilla coke for Achernar to drink. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/18 "2002-06-26T16:57:57Z")
> [@](#): > > OH MY GOD!!! > > I tried a Captain ‘N’ Vanilla Coke the other day and thought I had died and gone to heaven… > > Try it if you can!! Best. Drink. Ever. I like the Vanilla Coke, because it isn’t as sweet as cream soda, or even regular coke. The first thought I had when I tried it was, “Mmm, it kinda takes the edge off.” Until that point, Ididn’t realize that Coke had an “edge”. ---
**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/19 "2002-06-26T17:58:54Z")
Vanilla Coke seems to be almost undistinguishable from Coke. Consumer Reports is right… there is a vanilla base note in Coke Classic. So I was expecting that vanilla coke would be redundundundundant. Perhaps this expectation shaped my experience, but I found that I was “right.” ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992/20 "2002-06-26T18:59:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bad News Baboon \* > \*\*some people are picky about their Vanilla. > > gesh! > it’s too bad they don’t make decaf vanilla coke for Achernar to drink. 😉 \*\* Ha ha. Touché. However, I can guarantee you that everyone who has asked me this wouldn’t know the difference between French and Madagascar Vanilla. And they know that I don’t, either. Hey, if you’ve tried it, maybe you can tell me the time of day and longitude and latitude at which the vanilla was picked, so that I can tell people who give me this question. Hmmm? 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-coke-i-wonder-what-that-tastes-like/115992.md?page=2)