I’ve never been a fan of fizzy drinks, but after revealing to a colleague that I had never drunk Coca-Cola, I was goaded into trying it for the first time ever
Children are generally warned against fizzy drinks due to their detrimental effects on dental health and overall poor nutritional value.
Over time, science has validated these claims, yet many Brits still enjoy cracking open a can of Coke or Fanta with their meals or whenever they fancy a drink. Despite the warnings, the UK remains a nation of Coca-Cola enthusiasts, a trend that began when the beverage first hit our shores in August 1900, and is now ubiquitous in shops and restaurants worldwide.
Daily Star reporter Adam Cailler took that advice to heart, and aged 35, had spent his life entire life avoiding fizzy drinks – until 2025. Read on for his rather disappointing experience.
After confessing to a workmate that I’d never sampled Coca-Cola, I found myself persuaded to give it a try for professional reasons.
So, in the spirit of journalistic sacrifice for Daily Star readers, I made a trip to my local Sainsbury’s chosen out of pure snobbery and purchased two small cans of Coca Cola and Diet Coke, ready to undertake this daunting task…for work.
Firstly, the aroma as soon as I popped open the standard Coke can, I was greeted by an odd smell. It took me some time to identify it, and once I did, everything fell into place… but more on that later.
Upon taking my first sip, I was immediately repulsed, suspecting that the drink might be expired or from a faulty batch. However, after consulting my wife, I learned that Coca-Cola typically tastes like overly sweet burnt sugar.
It brought to mind a disastrous science experiment that should have been discarded at inception.
In my opinion, this drink tasted of something that really shouldn’t be near anyone’s mouth and why would you want to drink something that TikTokkers love putting down toilets because it’s a strong cleaning product?
The taste matched the smell, as it was at this point that I realised that it was indeed the smell of burned sugar that I was not enjoying.
Onto the Diet Coke, which I was told “was not as bad”. Well, if “not as bad” was a redeeming quality of a product, then I’m sorry Coke lovers…seek help.
Yes, this wasn’t as vile as standard Coke, and you could definitely taste more floral notes, but again, burned sugar and weird brown liquids are not my idea of a good time.
So to sum up, Britain, you all need to get your taste buds checked but one of the most popular drinks on supermarket shelves is nothing but a mixture of nasty chemicals that combine to taste like the tears of disappointed children with a hint of Satan’s secret juice mixed in.
But hey, we’re also a nation obsessed with Prime drinks, so… shrug.