Coke Diet

Coke Diet is a cola-flavored carbonated soft drink, sold in this category as a mixer. The details we have don't list a bottle size, sweetener blend or production origin, so what follows describes how diet colas typically behave. Expect caramel and vanilla up front, a light citrus and spice lift, and a clean, fairly quick finish. Diet colas usually have a lighter body than sugar-sweetened versions, so the sweetness sits higher on the palate and fades faster. That makes this cola easy to pair with spirits that have their own weight. Serve it cold, ideally around 2 to 4°C, because carbonation holds better and the sweetener tastes cleaner when the liquid is well chilled. On its own, pour over plenty of ice in a highball or tumbler. Tilt the glass and pour down the inside wall to keep the fizz. A lime or lemon wedge squeezed in sharpens the finish noticeably. As a mixer, it works best in tall, simple drinks. The classic is a Cuba Libre: white or aged rum, a squeeze of fresh lime, and cola topped over ice, usually about one part spirit to three parts cola. Bourbon or Tennessee whiskey and cola is another good match, since the vanilla and oak in the spirit echo the cola's caramel. Vodka with cola and lime is a cleaner option, and spiced rum adds a warmer note. A small splash of cola is also the traditional finishing touch on a Long Island Iced Tea. Keep ice generous and add the cola last, stirring once gently so the bubbles survive. Use a highball or collins glass for mixed drinks, since the narrow shape slows carbonation loss. A chilled tumbler suits a short pour with ice. For food, a cola like this suits salty, fatty and smoky dishes: pizza, burgers, fried chicken, barbecue and chips, where the carbonation and sweetness cut through richness.