# Why McDonald's Cokes are so good. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [November 11, 2016, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468 "2016-11-11T04:48:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/1 "2016-11-11T04:48:43Z")
I’ve noticed Cokes are better at McDonald’s. The other fast food places that sell Coke are ok. But there is a difference. I don’t order soda at restaurants that only sell Pepsi. It’s too sweet. Turns out McDonald’s does prepare Coke differently. They filter their water, the syrup is delivered inside stainless steel cylinders and it’s fresher because they sell more Coke. I’ve always thought McDonald’s Coke was more highly carbonated? Other restaurant Cokes seem a little flat. Mexican Coke in a bottle made with real sugar is still the best. McDonald’s has the best Coke made in a soda fountain machine. Interesting article > **[The REAL reason McDonald's Coca-Cola drink tastes so good](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-3924128/The-REAL-reason-McDonald-s-Coca-Cola-drinks-taste-good.html)** > > Many fans say that McDonald's Coca-Cola tastes better than at other fast food restaurants. The restaurant has now revealed why -and it's all to do with the water purity and syrup. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/2 "2016-11-11T04:59:39Z")
THE best iced tea, too! ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/3 "2016-11-11T05:08:19Z")
Since all ingredients are exactly the same, at point of manufacture, the difference in quality would depend on the attention to the detail of assembling the recipe, and any ingredients that are commodities not supplied by Coca Cola, namely, water. It’s a sealed container of syrup meeting Coca Cola’s quality control standards, local tapwater, and a calibrated infusion of gas to carbonate it. I don’t know if the carbonation chemicals are provided by Coca Cola, or purchased by the restaurant from other sources. All done mechanically in a machine that is subject to local maintenance to assure that it is not contaminated by foreign substances. And can also be miscalculated to mix the ingredients incorrectly, or subject to clogged or loose ingredient fittings. So there are a lot of ways that the end product can vary, either intentionally, neglectfully, or accidentally, outside the control of Coca Cola. I’ve dispensed fountain drinks in fast food restaurants that were faulty, and I had to pour t hem out and bring the misbehaving dispenser to management’s attention. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/4 "2016-11-11T05:12:47Z")
Nah. Best Coke is from a guy named “Jack Knife” at the corner of 4th and Washington. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/5 "2016-11-11T05:30:58Z")
I guess cleaning the machine is very important? I’ve heard mold can get into dirty lines. Is there an adjustment on the machine for carbonation? Too little and it’s a bit flat. Like a canned Coke you opened 2 hours ago. Too much and it stings my throat. I have seen the truck delivering Co2 to the restaurant. There’s a wall socket that the trucks hose connects to. I’ve wondered just how big the restaurant’s Co2 tank must be. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/6 "2016-11-11T05:40:30Z")
It’s because you’re drinking it alongside terrible food so anything will taste better. Huh, I always thought Coke was more sugary than Pepsi to my taste. I don’t have a strong preference, except that Diet Coke is way better because Pepsi bought into the “aspartame is evil” thing and use nasty sucralose. As far as mold, it’s better not to think about it… ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/7 "2016-11-11T06:27:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I guess cleaning the machine is very important? I’ve heard mold can get into dirty lines. > > Is there an adjustment on the machine for carbonation? Too little and it’s a bit flat. Like a canned Coke you opened 2 hours ago. Too much and it stings my throat. The process of adjusting the water/syrup/carbonation ratio is called “brixing” and is an aquired skill. McDonalds is all about consistency, and they make sure the product they deliver meets corporate standards, everywhere. Say what you will about them, they make sure that any McDonalds you visit will deliver the same product, and that includes the soft drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/8 "2016-11-11T06:52:40Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I guess cleaning the machine is very important? I’ve heard mold can get into dirty lines. > > Is there an adjustment on the machine for carbonation? Too little and it’s a bit flat. Like a canned Coke you opened 2 hours ago. Too much and it stings my throat. > > I have seen the truck delivering Co2 to the restaurant. There’s a wall socket that the trucks hose connects to. I’ve wondered just how big the restaurant’s Co2 tank must be. It’s been 16 years since I worked at Burger King, but going from memory, the tanks are about 5 feet tall and 15 inches in diameter. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/9 "2016-11-11T07:07:31Z")
I wish mcds would have root beer again like they did when I was a kid … ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/10 "2016-11-11T08:06:42Z")
Interesting. I’d say the best Coke (non-Mexican category) comes from either McDonald’s or the aluminum cans. Out of plastic bottles or other places it tends to not be the same. Those 80+ soda machines at Burger King and Jack in the Box definitely have an inferior taste. Though I’ve also been at plenty of McD’s where the Coke doesn’t have nearly the same carbonation, or its going flat, or near the end of the syrup, or something. > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Huh, I always thought Coke was more sugary than Pepsi to my taste. I don’t have a strong preference, except that Diet Coke is way better because Pepsi bought into the “aspartame is evil” thing and use nasty sucralose. The first hit of Coke is more sugary compared to the first hit of Pepsi, but Pepsi has this weird sickeningly sweet aftertaste. I can never finish a whole can of it, whereas I can keep guzzling down Coke (though I prefer to dilute it with Diet… 50/50 Diet/regular Coke is my drink of choice by far). I agree with you that Diet Pepsi is awful, though. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/11 "2016-11-11T10:38:55Z")
I agree with magnusblitz that the container makes a difference. Other burger places, such as Whataburger here in Texas, use styrofoam cups. McDonald’s has those paper cups with wax lining. The paper cup with wax lining seems to have a better flavor. In general, I would rank them as glass bottles \> aluminum cans \> plastic bottles. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/12 "2016-11-11T10:40:09Z")
I like to put some olives in my Coke. Is that weird? ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/13 "2016-11-11T12:05:19Z")
[Barry](https://vimeo.com/155142930) serves you the best coke. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/14 "2016-11-11T12:34:08Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > I like to put some olives in my Coke. Is that weird? Yes, since olives are revolting. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/15 "2016-11-11T12:45:04Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > The process of adjusting the water/syrup/carbonation ratio is called “brixing” and is an aquired skill. McDonalds is all about consistency, and they make sure the product they deliver meets corporate standards, everywhere. Say what you will about them, they make sure that any McDonalds you visit will deliver the same product, and that includes the soft drinks. This. > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > It’s because you’re drinking it alongside terrible food so anything will taste better. > > Huh, I always thought Coke was more sugary than Pepsi to my taste. I don’t have a strong preference, except that Diet Coke is way better because Pepsi bought into the “aspartame is evil” thing and use nasty sucralose… I can only drink Pepsi if it’s ice cold where Coke is tolerable when warmer. Pepsi also tastes horrible when mixed with alcohol compared to rye and Coke or rum and Coke. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/16 "2016-11-11T13:21:18Z")
As a Diet Coke drinker, I find the DC @ McD’s to be horrible. Different strokes… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/17 "2016-11-11T13:48:35Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > I like to put some olives in my Coke. Is that weird? > [@jz78817](#): > > Yes, since olives are revolting. You should use cocktail onions instead. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/18 "2016-11-11T14:19:08Z")
Other than the the quantity==freshness factors, I always thought McCoke was mixed a _just a trifle_ light on the syrup, leading to a fresher, crisper taste than others with a heavier hand on the goo. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/19 "2016-11-11T15:28:43Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I guess cleaning the machine is very important? I’ve heard mold can get into dirty lines. A friend who now does home heating/air conditioning used to repair the milkshake machines for McDonald’s. He told me some horror stories about the lack of cleanliness with those units. Even the cleanest were pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468/20 "2016-11-11T15:43:17Z")
I like to think that the mold, sludge and corrosion are what give fountain drinks that je ne sais quoi. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mcdonalds-cokes-are-so-good/771468.md?page=2)