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Top 10 Coke Flavors You Need to Try

Nothing beats a refreshing can of soda after a long and hot summer day, especially if you’re looking for the perfect drink to pair with pizza, burgers, or popcorn. No wonder Coca-Cola stands as one of America’s most popular soft drinks.

Coca Cola Lime flavor soft drink in plastic bottles on shelf in supermarket

If you’re looking for variety in your drinks, Coca-Cola has crafted several unique flavors since its humble beginnings over 100 years ago.

Although healthier soft drinks are available, I consider Coke a great option to sip on special occasions.

Coke has a signature sweetness, so you’re bound to find a few flavor options experimenting with this sweetness balance. Some have a subtle fruity taste, while others might taste more bold.

Are you curious about how each one tastes when chilled to perfection? Then, consider checking out my list of the best Coke flavors ranked to help you pick out a new go-to cola flavor that surpasses your expectations.


Cherry Coke

First up on my list of the best Coke flavors ranked is my top pick, Cherry Coke.

This Coke option has a crisp, sugary flavor profile that doesn’t taste overly sweet. It has a fruity aftertaste that tickles your throat but doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Compared to a 20-fluid ounce bottle of regular Coke, Cherry Coke has lower caffeine, sugar, carbohydrate, and sodium content.

It has a sweet aroma that’s immediately noticeable after opening a can or bottle. If you leave your Cherry Coke out for several hours, it retains its bold, sweet flavor.

I consider this one of the best options for any newcomer to Coke.

Its ingredients include carbonated water, phosphoric acid, high-fructose corn syrup, and natural cherry flavors.


Regular Coke

Next up on my list is Coke’s signature classic, Regular Coke.

It has hints of citrus, vanilla, and herbs, giving it a flavor profile that tastes sweet, bitter, and sour.

But, like other soda brands, it leaves a bubbly sensation in your mouth and has the perfect fizzy properties when poured into a glass.

Although it isn’t as fruity as some of the other Coke flavors on this list, I consider it an excellent option for anyone who prefers a simple Coke formula that isn’t overpowered by artificial flavoring.

Regular Coke tastes best when served in a glass with ice.

See also  12 Best Caffeine-Free Sodas To Sip

Diet Coke

Introduced in 1982, Diet Coke is your best Coke option if you’re looking for something enjoyable without excessive sugar.

Its formula uses artificial sweeteners, giving the drink a slight citrus flavor. 

This drink doesn’t have any calories but has 46 milligrams of caffeine and 40 milligrams of sodium per 12-ounce can.

Surprisingly, it has slightly more caffeine than Regular Coke. I love enjoying this Coke option if I want something to sip on the weekend before taking a quick jog around the block. 

Its citrus aftertaste does feel a bit artificial compared to the Regular Coke formula, but most people who like Diet Coke get used to it. 

It contains the following ingredients: carbonated water, aspartame, caramel color, potassium benzoate, natural flavors, phosphoric acid, citric acid, and caffeine.


Cherry Vanilla Coke

Cherry Vanilla Coke offers a unique blend of fruity flavors with a sweet sensation.

If you drink this soda, you might detect its vanilla hint over the cherry flavor, but it offers a creamier sensation on your tongue compared to formulas with one core flavor.

Although some might find its taste too sugary, I consider it a great option if you prefer treating yourself to something sweet.

Its calorie content ranges from 140 to 240 per can or bottle, depending on the size you select.

They also have a zero-sugar version for anyone looking for a tasty zero-calorie soda option.


Vanilla Coke

Another excellent Coke flavor I recommend for anyone craving something sweet to pair with any meal is Vanilla Coke.

It was introduced to the market in 2002, discontinued in 2005, and permanently reintroduced in 2007. 

This drink has a hint of vanilla that gives it a creamy sensation as it goes down your throat. It’s a fantastic option for anyone interested in trying something new at the store.

This Coke flavor might not resonate with you if you’re not a fan of extra-sweet drinks with a bold aftertaste.

However, I love the subtle vanilla aroma that fills the air when pouring it into a cup. 


Lime Coke

Lime-flavored soda tastes amazing when they put effort into perfecting its formula.

Lime Coke’s attempt at replicating this flavor was decent but didn’t make an impact as some of the other flavors they’ve created. 

See also  27 Best Diet Sodas To Drink

When I tried Lime Coke, it was hard to pinpoint its lime taste, making it a little too subtle for anyone expecting a soda that embraces its tartness and slight sweetness.

It doesn’t have a strong aftertaste, so it might be a nice change of pace for some Coke fans.

Although Coca-Cola discontinued this flavor in the United States, you can still find their Lime Coke in other parts of the world, like Canada, Japan, and Russia. 


Orange Vanilla Coke

Another discontinued Coke flavor that made this list’s seventh spot is Orange Vanilla Coke.

This drink is still available as a Freestyle flavor, but you’re not likely to find a pack in a store.

If you’re one of those people who like to mix orange soda with Coke, you should definitely try this unique flavor.

Orange vanilla Coke tastes like a combination of creamsicle and regular Coke. With little hints of orange, its vanilla and Coke flavor are what stand out the most. Orange Vanilla Coke is an interesting drink worth trying.

Although this flavor isn’t one of my favorites, I’d say it’s a great refreshing drink for a hot summer day.


Coke With Coffee

In eighth place on this list of the best Coke flavors ranked for enjoyment is Coke With Coffee.

One 12-ounce can contains 70 calories, significantly lower than most of their Coke flavor options.

In addition, Coke With Coffee is available in several blends, including Dark Blend, Vanilla, and Mocha.

This Coke and coffee combo has twice the amount of caffeine as a can of Regular Coke, so it’s not the best option for anyone with a sensitivity to caffeine.

Its Brazilian coffee flavor also overpowers the soda, giving it an unbalanced taste of a fizzy cold brew.

Its core ingredients include carbonated water, coffee powder, potassium sorbate, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium.


Coke Zero

Coke Zero is made with artificial sweeteners (aspartame and acesulfame potassium) and contains 40 milligrams of sodium and 34 milligrams of caffeine.

It doesn’t have any sugar and calories, which makes it an ideal option for anyone looking for a soda that doesn’t disrupt their exercise routine. 

This low-calorie drink has a mild taste and –obviously– is not so sweet or foamy as regular Coke but it gets as closer as it can get to the flavor of the original Coca-Cola.

See also  Diet Pepsi vs Diet Coke

And I have to say it tastes way better when it’s really cold.

So, if you’re trying to cut down on sugar, I think this is a great option to satisfy your craving for a delicious Coke! 


Lemon Coke

Last but not least on my list of the best Coke flavors is Lemon Coke.

Unfortunately, this flavor is available in limited locations, and the United States isn’t on their list, so you’re more likely to find its diet variant in soda machines.

Although it has a strong citrusy aroma, its overall flavor has a more artificial sweetness and tartness.

You’d probably get a better taste from a glass of Regular Coke with a lemon slice added to the soda.

Although this isn’t my favorite Coke option, you might enjoy this variant if you’re interested in trying a hard-to-find flavor.

6 Comments

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  1. Honestly… Let’s not lie here, Dreamworld is probably the worst flavor we have all tasted. Honestly, it tastes like you got coke from a fountain dispenser that hasn’t been cleaned in years. So you can taste all the previous flavors that were once in that coke spot for some 10 years.

    Tastes like a dream? Nah that tastes like that mystery liquid that somehow always finds its way at the bottom of my trashcan.

  2. I loved Diet Coke with lime. Was so sad when it was discontinued. Now their new limited edition flavor Dream World is sooo good. It’s a citrus mango flavor. It’s a special edition, so I know it won’t be around long?.

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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