What is the difference between coke zero and diet coke?

Coke Zero and Diet Coke are both zero-calorie cola drinks, but they have some key differences in taste and formulation:

• Sweeteners: While both are artificially sweetened, they use different blends. Diet Coke primarily uses aspartame and acesulfame potassium. Coke Zero's sweetener blend has varied over the years but generally includes aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sometimes sucralose. The specific proportions and inclusion of sucralose have changed over time, affecting the perceived sweetness and aftertaste.

• Taste Profile: This is subjective, but many people find Coke Zero to have a more "full-bodied" and slightly more bitter or complex taste than Diet Coke. Diet Coke is often described as having a cleaner, sweeter, and more classic Coca-Cola-like taste, though obviously without the sugar. These differences are due to the variations in sweetener blends and other flavoring agents.

• Other Ingredients: Beyond sweeteners, the precise amounts and types of flavorings, acids, and other ingredients can differ slightly between the two, further contributing to the taste variation.

• Marketing and Target Audience: While both target consumers seeking a low-calorie alternative, the marketing strategies might subtly emphasize different aspects. Coke Zero initially focused more on a masculine target audience, although this has softened over time.

In short, while both are sugar-free colas, Coke Zero and Diet Coke offer distinct taste experiences due to their unique sweetener combinations and other subtle ingredient differences. The "better" choice is entirely a matter of personal preference.