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For my fellow Diet Coke devotees, chances are you’ve probably found yourself diving into the world of viral DC trends at least once. Maybe you’ve dared to sip the infamous Protein Diet Coke (a blend of a protein shake and Diet Coke) or tested Tom Hanks’ far more sophisticated concoction of Diet Coke and Champagne. Both, I have to say, are delicious.
But the latest Diet Coke experiment? Well, it’s a little more…briny.
Dua Lipa's Spicy Diet Coke Trend
The latest viral Diet Coke trend comes courtesy of pop star Dua Lipa, who unknowingly set the internet ablaze with a drink she mixed up at a restaurant in Austin, Texas, during the ACL Music Festival. Her concoction: a Diet Coke mixed with pickled jalapeño juice and dill pickle juice.
The trend quickly picked up, and soon we saw all sorts of stars, from Hoda Kotb to Gordon Ramsay trying it out for themselves online, each time followed by mixed reviews.
As a Diet Coke enthusiast—and someone who unapologetically snacks on pickles straight from the jar while standing in my kitchen—I knew I had to try this immediately. But, before diving into the taste test, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge a universal truth among Diet Coke fans: not all Diet Cokes are created equal.
At the very top of the pyramid is the extra-chilled can of Diet Coke that has been marinating in the fridge for at least a week—we’re talking excruciatingly cold. I will also give honorable mention to the glass bottle, so long as it’s been properly chilled. Coming in second place is the Diet Coke fountain drink. It needs to come out of the faucet so crispy that it practically sparkles out of my plastic cup. Ice to liquid ratio is also important here; the ice should complement the drink, not overpower it. Finishing in third place is a plastic bottle of Diet Coke—a last resort only consumed in the most desperate of times.
For this experiment, I had to give Dua’s mix a fair shot, which meant reaching for the elite option: a can of Diet Coke that had been patiently chilling in my fridge for three weeks. Off to a promising start.
The viral video doesn’t reveal exact measurements (she pours the juices straight from deli containers), so I did my best to approximate:
- 1 ice-cold can of Diet Coke
- A splash of pickled jalapeño juice
- A splash of dill pickle juice
Allrecipes
Spicy Diet Coke Isn’t Anything Like I Thought It Would Be
I’ll be honest—it wasn’t love at first sip.
I typically prefer my Diet Coke with a lime garnish, so this was a wild departure from my usual order First impressions: The heat from the jalapeño juice is instant and lingers at the back of the throat for longer than expected. It’s spicy in a way that sneaks up on you, and even minutes later, I could still feel my tongue on fire.
That said, the jalapeño juice cuts through the soda’s sweetness in a way that’s oddly pleasant. The pickle juice adds a tangy, briny punch, and the sodium delivers a convincing (if false) sense of hydration. Dare I say this could actually revive me on the morning after a night out? Gatorade Zero Glacier Freeze, your days might be numbered.
One last notable observation: The combination of Diet Coke’s signature fizz and the added juices creates a layer of foam that takes a few minutes to settle, which creates a minor inconvenience for sipping.
Dua Lipa, you might be onto something here—might being the key word. While this spicy-salty-sweet creation was a unique experience, I won’t be swapping out my usual lime garnish anytime soon. But if you’re feeling adventurous and in need of a bold, briny wake-up call, it’s worth a sip. At the very least, it’s proof that Diet Coke’s devoted fanbase will never stop experimenting.
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