Originally Posted by
stut
I have to be honest - I can't taste the difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero. I've always assumed the latter was just the former, only marketed to men instead of women.
Nope.
Diet Coke = single sweetener (aspartame), and formulated sweeter -- closer to the New Coke formula from the 1980s.
Coke Zero = mixed sweetener (aspartame + acesulfame), formulated closer to Coke Classic, although if you let it warm up there is a VERY strong "spice" note to it that isn't obvious when cold, and which is unlike either Diet Coke OR Coke Classic.
I much prefer the latter, although I'll take either one over diet pepsi. Then again, I'll take diet ginger ale (pretty much any brand) or diet root beer (ditto) over diet cola of any sort. The new Coke "Freestyle" machines are great!
Originally Posted by
heraclitus
Not around here yet, but I have tried Zevia cola which is sweetened with stevia. It tastes so gross that I won't be in a rush to try any other stevia-sweetened soft drinks. The stuff makes Diet Coke taste like candy.
Zevia and the other Stevia-based sweetened drink I've tried have both got a VERY strong licorice-like or maybe anise-like aftertaste. I can't stand the licorice/anise/fennel family of flavors, and I can't stand the stuff.