# What do you do when you can't get your cola of choice? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [March 16, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838 "2014-03-16T15:27:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/61 "2014-03-17T15:16:45Z")
In the UK **nobody** serves both, and they will never treat Coke/Cola/Pepsi as anything other than exact synonyms, so I always look at their logos before ordering a fizzy drink. If I see the Pepsi logo, then I’ll choose something else, like a cordial. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/62 "2014-03-17T15:21:26Z")
I am a soda fiend and drink just tons of it. I have my go-to’s for both, so usually when I’m in a restaurant I just ask. If it’s Coke I do a coke with a handful of lemons in it. If it’s Pepsi do you have cherry Pepsi? No? Then Mt. Dew. I also enjoy a good Barqs (the best root beer) and Dr. Pepper is always a failsafe. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/63 "2014-03-17T16:00:48Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I prefer Diet Coke, but will drink Diet Pepsi if absolutely forced to. DP is definitely a step down from DC. But honestly, since any bar worth its salt will have your favorite whiskey or gin or rum in stock, why can’t they offer all the major soft drink brands? I realize that Pepsi and Coke will both offer better deals if you don’t stock their competitor, but really the cost of soft drinks is pitifully small so eat a little profit and give us a choice. It’s not a better deal for the customer, it’s a take it or leave it deal for the restaurant. I’ve witnessed a pizza shop owner (a personal friend) being offered a free dispensing machine, including maintenance, if he agreed to only buy Pepsi products. Less work for him and more floor space available without the jumble of machines and refrigerated cases he had been using. He agreed to the deal. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/64 "2014-03-17T16:09:09Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. It’s the real thing. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/65 "2014-03-17T16:45:09Z")
Pepsi is the most disgusting soda I know, so whenever I’m in a Pepsi establishment, I will hope they have a Mug root beer. If not that, a Sierra Mist. Curiously, I am a big Dr. Pepper fan but see it in many places that also sell Coke. Mr. Pibb (the Coke equivalent) is a scarcity, and I almost never see Pepper in Pepsi establishments. Weird. If the choices are that limited, then water or (in a restaurant) lemonade. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/66 "2014-03-17T16:50:30Z")
Depends. Is the competitor Coke? I’ll drink it. I’d prefer Pepsi, but Coke’ll do. Any other company? I’ll switch to orange or root beer. Off brand cola is inexplicably, and invariably, vile. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/67 "2014-03-17T17:05:47Z")
I just ask for a diet soda. If they offer a choice, I’ll take Coke Zero, Diet Dew, Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, then finally Diet RC. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/68 "2014-03-17T17:30:25Z")
Gotta be Diet Coke, caffiene free if possible (carbonated air, I call it). If it’s a Pepsi establishment I go with unsweetened iced tea or water. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/69 "2014-03-17T17:48:28Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Cheeseburger! > > Cheeseburger Cheeseburger Cheeseburger Cheeseburger Cheeseburger > > No Pepsi. Coke! Cheeseburger! Pepsi! Chip! ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/70 "2014-03-17T17:57:53Z")
I take water because I drink Sprite Zero. The only thing restaurants have that’s anywhere close is non-diet Sierra Mist. A) I hate Sierra Mist and B) it’s got carbs. I’ll drink diet 7-up if it’s available but it rarely is. I don’t like diet Coke/Pepsi. Unless it has booze in it. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/71 "2014-03-17T17:59:19Z")
I’ll take whatever if it has caffeine in it. (Though I stay away from energy drinks these days.) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/72 "2014-03-17T18:18:44Z")
My Fave is Diet Pepsi. If you only have Diet Coke, but can put a lime or lemon wedge in it, I am happy. otherwise I’ll order a iced tea- with extra lemon. My other issue is that few fountains have a diet no-caffeine option. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/73 "2014-03-17T18:21:51Z")
I just order “Coke” out of habit because they’re usually the brand carried. When someone says “Pepsi ok?” or more rarely “RC”, I just roll with it. As others said, I can tell the difference but it’s not significant to me which one I’m tasting. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/74 "2014-03-17T18:25:40Z")
I am surprised at how many people don’t care whether they get Coke or Pepsi. I started this poll because Costco switched up their drink machines fairly recently and are now offering Pepsi in their little fast food area. It’s enough of a turn-off for my husband and I that we no longer stop for the hot dog and drink special after our shopping. It’s probably better for our health this way, but it’s still a little disappointing. Exclusivity deals suck. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/75 "2014-03-17T18:28:37Z")
I am a reformed diet Coke fanatic. I’d rather drink water than a Pepsi product. Although, in the past few years, I’ve noticed that every time I take that first sip of a soda, I think to myself, “Gawd, that tastes like ass. Why am I still drinking soda?” I think it’s sucralose that I hate. Recently, my life was changed by a SodaStream. Best thing that ever happened to me. I love carbonation and flavor in my drink – I get bored with plain water all the time. Now I drink bubble water and occasionally throw in some juice concentrate or something. I am currently looking for a recipe for cola syrup because I don’t think I can drink mainstream sodas anymore. Anyway, now that this has happened to me, I tend to order iced tea (unsweetened) wherever sodas are usually served. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/76 "2014-03-17T18:56:30Z")
“I don’t always drink soda but when I do I’m the best soda there is.” -Most Interesting Man in the World. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/77 "2014-03-17T19:27:35Z")
I voted “different product” and “non-partisan”, those being the closest to the little ritual that occurs. “What would you like to drink?” “Coke, please.” “Sorry, we only have Pepsi…” “Root beer?” (Or, if I want a caffeine hit, “Dr. Pepper.”) At root beer, the rite diverges, as not every place has root beer of any brand. Sometimes I’ll try for ginger ale, but if they don’t have root beer, they probably don’t have ginger ale, either. “Iced tea” is an indication that the ritual has failed completely, as restaurant iced tea is universally bad, and I resort to it only if they have literally nothing else drinkable. Of course, I usually try to avoid this mess by checking the menu first, but a lot of places just offer the oh-so-helpful listing “soft drinks”, rather than saying outright what brands/flavors they have. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/78 "2014-03-17T20:17:35Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Who over 25 still drinks soda? That’s about when I quit. Don’t threadshit, **Omar Little**. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/79 "2014-03-17T20:19:14Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > I can’t answer this poll because I pretty much loathe all soft drinks (because, taste, not any sort of worthy reason) and my default beverage order is either water, or coffee. Then why post? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/80 "2014-03-17T20:20:54Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Who over 25 still drinks soda? That’s about when I quit. Sort of a dissonance going on here. Why would you claim to be over 25 but also come into a thread about _your favorite cola_ and make a comment like this? :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838.md?page=5)