Coca-Cola Life
/Those of you who read this site like a blog instead of a review site (thank you, btw) know that I don’t really dabble in the mainstream unless asked. The three of you who fit the former descriptor also know I’m not really fond of stevia as a sweetener. So why then did I purchase a bottle of Coca-Cola Life which is sweetened with stevia? Sorry, let me rephrase that to get more clicks…
YOU’LL NEVER BELIEVE WHY AARON DRANK COKE WITH STEVIA! REASON NUMBER 4 WILL SHATTER ALL OF REALITY!!!
So I bought it because when I’m on the soda aisle I’ve seen numerous folks stop and stare at it. Then they have a conversation with their significant other about it, then they walk off without trying it. I’ve tried to help people understand what it was, but I honestly couldn’t tell them if it was good or not which is what you’re looking for in that situation.
People love Coke and even though this version of Coke is sweetened with stevia it’s also sweetened with cane sugar. Previous reviews of mine have shown that a Cane Sugar/Stevia mix is usually a pretty good way to reduce calories and keep a nice flavor. My 8oz bottle has 60 calories and 16 grams of sugar… less than the yogurt I just ate, but that’s not saying much.
"Life" Why Life?
Smell wise it’s a little weaker than regular Coca-Cola, but the scent is still unmistakable. If this does indeed taste like regular Coke I’ll fully get behind this product. Other than the fact that it’s called Coca-Cola “Life”. That’s a bit pretentious to me. Your soda is called “Life”, take it down a few notches.
So it tastes like a reduced calorie cola. Granted, it tastes like a Coke brand reduced calorie cola, so they nailed that aspect of it. Initially you get the quick bite of Coca-Cola Classic, but mouthfeel is really where the two sodas are most similar.
There is limited flavor on the front end and the sweetness also kind of drops off on the back side, which makes the included stevia a bit more noticeable. The “after sip” mouthfeel is a little sticky and hugs my teeth and tongue in an unpleasant, but tolerable way. It’s not great, it’s not bad, it’s just kind something I’m drinking.
Personally I’d choose Coca-Cola Zero over this every time as I think it gets closer to the Coke taste than “Life” does. That kind of makes me feel that this may be a wasted product. Does Coca-Cola Life fill the “wants to drink healthier soda without aspartame” crowd? If anyone has the money to create something in that market it’s certainly Coca-Cola.
~A
This was purchased at my neighborhood Wal-Mart.
