I tried supermarket Coca-Cola dupes – the 49p winner tastes identical to the real thing

The Sun

15-06-2025

COCA-COLA is one of the biggest and well-known brands on the planet.
And even though many of us worry about the effect of the sugar hit on our waistlines, sales are still going strong.
8
In 2024, the company's global net sales increased by 3% to £37.9billion.
Supermarkets have struggled to recreate the iconic taste but cola 'dupes' are getting better every day.
The question is - are any of them good enough to satisfy your cola craving? Lynsey Hope finds out:
Sainsbury's Cola (2 litres)
80p
This looked darker in colour than most colas and wasn't strong or fizzy enough.
There was no satisfying "psst" as you opened the bottle and no bubbles as you poured.
It needed more cola punch and went flat quite quickly after pouring into the glass, though the sweetness was about right.
Drinkable, but no match for Coca-Cola.
Taste: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Total: 6/10
TikTok's viral protein Diet Coke trend explained Why doctors warn against mixing protein into your cola
Morrisons Cola (2 litres)
80p
Morrisons ' version was unoffensive and easy to drink.
It was pleasant enough, sweet without being sickly and boasted a nice cola taste.
It had a good fizz when you unscrewed the cap and was bubbly to drink.
It's not as good as the original, but with ice and a slice it was passable and a good, family size bottle.
My kids tried a bit - and enjoyed it.
Taste: 4/5
Value: 3/5
Total: 7/10
Lidl Freeway Cola (2 litres)
49p
If you need to save cash on cola, this dark caramel-coloured pop compares very well to the real deal.
It is very sugary and sticks in the mouth a bit, but the sweetness level and aroma are almost identical to the market leader.
It's very wallet-friendly, costing just 49p for two litres.
Side by side in a glass, it's quite tricky to tell the difference between this and the original but the great price means you can enjoy more of it.
Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Total: 9/10
Coca-Cola Original (1.25 litres)
80p
There is no mistaking the caramel taste and punchy cola flavour of the original.
But it is very expensive - costing 80p for a bottle containing 750ml less than most of the own brands.
It also packs a mighty sugar hit, with 10.6g per 100ml which is not good news for your teeth or your waistline.
Taste: 5/5
Value: 3/5
Total: 8/10
Tesco Classic Cola (2 litres)
80p
The Tesco cola was loaded with artificial sweeteners including acefulfame k and sucralose which gave it an overly sweet and sickly taste.
It was treacle-like in colour and tasted unpleasant. It was less sugary than some as a result with just 4.4g of sugar per 100ml, so it might be an option if you're cutting sugar intake.
But I felt it left my mouth dry and wasn't at all refreshing. Leave this one on the shelf.
Taste: 2/5
Value: 2/5
Total: 4/10
Aldi Vive Cola (2 litres)
49p
If you get through a bottle of branded cola a week, switching to Aldi Vive could save you over £16 in a year - and you get more in the bottle for your money.
I thought it was the best budget option cola.
It had the right strength of cola flavour with a punchy taste and the right amount of sweetness and fizz.
It will save you a packet compared to the big brands.
Taste: 3/5
Value: 5/5
Total: 8/10
Asda Classic Cola (2 litres)
70p
This is a great all-rounder with no artificial sweeteners, and could save you a lot if you guzzle through litres of the big brand.
Not only is it better value than many big supermarkets including Tesco and Sainsbury's, but it has a lovely smooth taste and is easier on the palate than other budget options.
It's a very dark caramel colour and had plenty of gas to keep it carbonated in the glass.
Taste: 4/5
Value: 3/5
Total: 7/10
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.