Why Mexican Coke is a fan favorite and where to buy it after Trump's sweet announcement
In a Truth Social post Wednesday, President Trump claimed that Coca-Cola agreed to start using real cane sugar in the U.S., just like the beloved Mexican version. "It's just better!" Trump, a known Diet Coke enthusiast, said.
Many people agree and have long paid a premium for imported Mexican Coke, which is sold in old-school glass bottles and made with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup.
So, what's the hype behind the Mexican cola?
For many, it's about nostalgia and novelty.
In a thread called "Ask an American," one Redditor said Mexican Coke tastes "like how U.S. Coke used to taste a long time ago."
The Mexican version is still made with cane sugar, which the U.S. swapped out for corn syrup in the 1980s.
Mexican Coke's "cult following" grew through the early 2000s, and it was featured in news stories and on food blogs as critics taste-tested and compared the two. Grocers began stocking vintage glass bottles of Mexican Coke, but it remained more expensive and harder to find.
Fans fizzed with excitement in April when Costco started selling a variety pack of cane sugar Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite – and were willing to spend nearly $36 for a 12-pack. "You're not just buying soda; you're investing in nostalgia, perfectly calibrated sweetness, and glass bottle clout," one person wrote in a Reddit thread about Costco.
Some swear it all comes down to sipping from glass instead of plastic or aluminum.
"The big difference is the glass bottle," another Redditor said. "I love the feel of the cold, glass bottle."
For others, it's about avoiding high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a liquid sweetener made from cornstarch that has declined in popularity since the 1990s, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to ban it, along with seed oils and synthetic food dyes.
While American Coke and Mexican Coke both contain carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors and caffeine, Mexican Coke is sweetened with cane sugar, also known as sucrose, instead of HFCS.
Many assume cane sugar is a healthier option.
But Dr. Ehsan Ali, an internal medicine doctor known as the Beverly Hills Concierge Doctor, says that nutritionally, the sweeteners are equals.
"Yes, cane sugar is less processed … but in terms of how your body processes them, it's a wash," Ali told Fox News Digital. "Cane sugar might feel like the 'cleaner' option, but too much of it still puts stress on your liver, affects blood sugar levels, and adds unnecessary calories.'
While both beverages have 39 grams of sugar, Mexican Coke has 150 calories and 85 milligrams of sodium, and American Coke has 140 calories and 45 milligrams of sodium.
In a post on X, Coca-Cola insisted HFCS is "just a sweetener made from corn." "It is safe," the company said. The Food and Drug Administration has said there is no evidence of a difference in safety between foods that have HFCS and those that contain sugar and other sweeteners, and that everyone should limit consumption of all added sugars.
"Cane sugar just sounds gentler, and we like to feel better about our choices, even if the science doesn't fully back that up," Ali said.
But the difference in sweeteners could be why some aficionados say Mexican Coke has a cleaner, crisper and lighter taste.
"Completely different mouth feel and a more rounded as opposed to pointy flavor," one Reddit purveyor said.
Both sweeteners are made up of fructose and glucose, but HFCS has slightly more fructose, which tastes sweeter. It can cause a more syrupy taste and longer-lasting aftertaste.
"The sugary taste is less intense in Mexican coke, which allows you to enjoy the actual coke taste," another Redditor said. "It tastes more like vanilla and its other flavors."
The different sodium content, possibly caused by the different sweeteners and bottling practices, could also alter the flavors and carbonation.
"The carbonation is also right on point for the taste," the person added. "I feel like the carbonation in [Mexican] Coke are big fat bubbles, while American Coke is a lot more small carbonation bubbles."
Coca-Cola has not confirmed Trump's announcement and declined to answer questions about it. In a statement, it said: "We appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm for our iconic Coca‑Cola brand. More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca‑Cola product range will be shared soon."
Until then, "hecho en Mexico" – made in Mexico – Coke can still be bought in many Mexican restaurants, specialty shops and grocery stores. According to their websites, these major retailers offer the cane sugar soft drink, though availability may vary:
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