Don’t Drink That!
Not all sodas are made equally, with some far tastier and healthier than others. With so many unique offerings to choose from, spare yourself some of the pain and be sure to avoid the worst of the worst. To make that easier, this list breaks down some of the highest-rated and worst-rated sodas around. Do you agree with these picks?
1. Crush Pineapple
Crush Pineapple seems like it should be a refreshing drink, but in reality, it is far from it. The pineapple flavor is the most artificial-tasting pineapple out there, which is made even worse by the fact that it has more sugar in one can than almost any dessert for the same single serving. The taste leaves a very unpleasant aftertaste that lingers for a long time.
2. Mug Cream Soda
Cream soda is supposed to be smooth and deep in flavor, both of which Mug tried to do and failed with this one. The drink is overly sweet and has a very artificial vanilla aftertaste. If you leave the drink out for more than a few minutes, it gets even worse and borderline undrinkable, making it a fizzy sugar overload with no good flavor to support it.
3. Mountain Dew Voltage
Mountain Dew Voltage is supposed to taste like blue raspberries and citrus, but instead it tastes like chemicals and sugar. It’s loaded with extremely high-fructose corn syrup and caffeine, not to mention the artificial colors, which are the sole thing giving it the vibrant blue tint. While the flavor was exciting when it came out, it quickly became widely disliked, even for original Mountain Dew lovers.
4. Fanta Grape
The original Fanta is a very refreshing orange sparkling drink, unfortunately not the same cannot be said for Fanta’s Grape flavor. This drink tastes nothing like real grapes and is instead more reminiscent of chemicals. With excessive amounts of sugar and no enjoyable flavor to back it up, this drink simply does not bring anything good to the table.
5. Crush Peach
Crush Peach may indicate that it is going to taste like a really refreshing iced tea, but that is sadly far from the truth. It has an aggressively fake fruit taste and is disappointing in almost every way. Even almost an hour after drinking this drink, it leaves an almost bitter taste in your mouth.
6. Mountain Dew
While Mountain Dew is a classic that is loved by many, it is also one of the unhealthiest mainstream sodas on the market. It is loaded to the brim with caffeine, artificial flavors, chemicals, and sugars, which do make it more energizing, but also that much unhealthier. Drinking it too frequently can contribute to weight gain and poor dental health.
7. Virgil’s Root Beer
Virgil’s biggest selling point for their Root Beer is that it’s all natural and handcrafted, which is hard to believe if you’ve ever had it. The aftertaste is extremely harsh and leaves a very medicinal flavor in your mouth. On top of that, it lacks that signature creamy and smooth root beer finish and quality flavor, all while costing more than its competitors.
8. Mountain Dew Code Red
Mountain Dew Code Red is another attempt at diversifying the original Mountain Dew flavor gone wrong. The flavor is very overpowering and synthetic tasting, with a very vibrant and unnatural color, all while having insanely high sugar contents that are sure to make you crash if you drink a bit too much of it. There are so many other cherry-flavored drinks that just do it better.
9. Sun Drop
Sun Drop is supposed to taste like a refreshing citrus soda, according to the manufacturer, but that doesn’t really seem to be the case. It instead tastes more like a flat lemonade with a kick of bitterness added to it. It’s also fairly high in caffeine and is less popular than most drinks for a reason.
10. Mug Root Beer
Mug Root Beer is arguably one of the worst root beers on the market. It has an overly sweet flavor, coats your mouth in unpleasant and hard to get rid of aftertaste, and manages to taste bland for a root beer with all that. There are few drinks that manage to do this, but Mug’s Root Beer tastes like you poured sparkling water and heaping tablespoons of sugar in a mug that used to have root beer a day ago.
Now that we talked about some of the worst sodas out there, here are the 10 best!
1. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a worldwide-known and beloved drink for good reason. It has a signature taste to it that is just the right amount of sweet and refreshing, carbonated to perfection, and is overall a great drinking experience. While there is no argument that it’s the best cola flavor, drinking it from a glass bottle makes Coca-Cola even better.
2. Dr. Pepper
Dr. Pepper has a complex and bold flavor that makes it one of the top choices when it comes to soda. It’s a drink that goes well with food, by itself, iced, as a slushy, or even a substitute for root beer when making a float. No matter how you like it, Dr. Pepper is always a refreshing treat and one of the most liked drinks out there.
3. Sprite
Sprite is one of the best and most liked lemon-lime flavored drinks ever. It’s super refreshing, delicious, satisfying, and ideal for a hot summer day. If you are looking for a drink that is caffeine-free and your next favorite sparkling drink that you are sure to always be stocked up on, Sprite is the one for you.
4. Pepsi
Often referred to as a competitor to Coca-Cola, Pepsi offers a slightly different, but all too familiar taste. It gives a bold and smooth Coke flavor with a hint of citrus added to it for extra freshness. Pepsi is a staple in households across the world, and one of the best and most refreshing drinks to pair with fast food.
5. A&W Root Beer
A&W Root Beer is everything a root beer should be. It’s smooth, creamy, rich, has depth, and makes for a perfect ingredient in floats. When served iced, it is one of the best tasting drinks with the exact right amount of sweetness and tang, making it the perfect and well-balanced drink.
6. Fanta Orange
There is such a thing as the perfect orange drink, and that is Fanta Orange. The drink is vibrant, fizzy, fruity, refreshing, and makes you wanna have more. While it tastes exactly right by itself, it is also one of the go-to drinks when making cocktails and mocktails, making it a must on the shopping list for hot summer days or parties.
7. Jarritos
Jarritos offers a number of flavors in their lineup, all of which are amazing for each of the flavors they bring. Sweetened with real and pure sugar, these drinks bring bold fruity flavors that are unmatched by any other brand. It is an absolute winner in so many categories and a welcome break from a great number of artificial-tasting drinks.
8. Cherry Coke
Cherry Coke is proof that a new thing can be just as good as the original. Bringing a perfect blend of classic Coke and just the right amount of cherry flavor, this drink is a unique twist on the original. While it does taste sweeter, it still maintains the refreshing and delicious qualities of the original Coke while being its own thing.
9. 7UP
Light, refreshing, citrusy, and highly craveable, 7UP is a very pleasant drink that will get you hooked. The carbonation is unique and leaves a nice aftertaste, all while not being super harsh and overpowering in flavor. It’s often used in cocktails or punches, but simply drinking it over ice is one of the best ways to enjoy this one.
10. Canada Dry Ginger Ale
Canada Dry Ginger Ale is the perfect combination of the right amount of sweetness with the kick of real ginger flavor. It’s an excellent soda to be enjoyed as a refreshing drink, with food, if your stomach is upset, or just because you feel like having a sweet drink. With its crisp and smooth taste, it is one of the most liked drinks for all ages.
