Pepsi and Shasta Outshine Rivals in Zero-Sugar Cola Taste Test

A recent taste-testing experiment by Serious Eats pitted six zero-sugar colas against each other to find the best. The contenders included Pepsi Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sam's Zero Sugar Cola, Shasta Zero Sugar Cola, and Zevia Cola.

The tasters were looking for a soda that closely mimicked the classic cola flavor without adding sugar. They wanted a drink with warm, spiced notes of vanilla, citrus, or cherry; a deep caramel flavor; and crisp carbonation that lasts long after opening the can or bottle.

After sampling each soda without knowing which was which, the winners emerged as Pepsi Zero Sugar and Shasta Zero Sugar Cola. The tasters praised these two for their classic flavor profiles and snappy carbonation.