And our primary cola of choice is Coca-Cola. Have a Coke and a smile, or whatever they used to say.
We like a Pepsi every now and then.
In a pinch, we'll even have an RC.
But Coke is our go-to.
Some of us drink the original Coke in the red label. Others, due to diabetes or weight concerns, go with Diet Coke.
A number of readers have been raising the issue of a new Coke -- Coca-Cola Life -- and, after the notorious New Coke of 1985, we were bit nervous.
Turns out, we were right to be.
First off, limited number of participants. Calorie counters were willing to forgo that concern and take part in the test kitchen but this is not a diet drink and those with diabetes did not participate.
Why would anyone drink this crap?
Forget the taste, we'll get to that, the green label boasts "REDUCED CALORIE COLA." Then in very small letters "35% fewer calories than Coca-Colas."
This being a site aimed at American readers, we figure we'-ll need to help you with that math.
The 20 ounce Coca-Cola Life has 160 calories -- which is more than a 12 ounce can of Coca-Cola but less than a 20 ounce bottle of Coca-Cola.
240 calories is the amount in a 20 ounce bottle of Coca-Cola so this green label new cola has 80 calories less.
80 calories less.
That's really not much at all.
So you might as well just drink a Coca-Cola (or Diet Coke, if you're diabetic).
A regular Coca-Cola will taste sweet and refreshing.
This Coca-Cola Life?
"Did they mix Listerine in with this?"
That was the kindest comment as we tasted this brew.
We tried to be fair and we took additional sips. But no one could finish the bottle. Ty did it best drinking about ten ounces.
And he then got sick to his stomach.
No one needing a diet drink would drink this due to the huge amount of calories.
And with the taste being so hideous, we can't see why anyone would ever drink this in the place of regular Coca-Cola.
In the years doing this feature, we have tasted bad -- we have tasted real bad (remember BaconPOP?).
But we didn't know from bad until we tried to drink Coca-Cola Life.