These supermarket colas cost a fraction of the top brands – and one 47p cheapie tastes just as good

WHEN it comes to cola, is there anything better than “the real thing”?

Not according to the sales figures.

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Coca-Cola and Diet Coke are still the UK’s leading brands, with Pepsi in third place.

But as living costs keep rising, can we afford to keep paying out for branded fizzy drinks? And are there any alternatives which measure up when it comes to taste?

We asked writer and mum of three Lynsey Hope to taste test cheaper supermarket brands and mark them out of ten to see how they compared. 

• All prices are for two-litre bottles except Coca-Cola, which is sold in a 1.5-litre bottle.

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Lidl Freeway Cola, 47p - WINNER

(12g sugar per 250ml)

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LIDL have done a great job here. This, I think, was the closest to “the real thing”. 

It was almost identical in colour and fizz to Coca-Cola and was my favourite. 

You could easily serve this to guests and no-one would know the difference.

It’s the cheapest two-litre bottle you can buy. It’s hardly healthy, with 12g sugar per glass, but that is still less than half the amount in Pepsi or Coca-Cola.

So it’s better for your wallet and your waistline.

• TASTE: 9
• VALUE: 10
• TOTAL: 10

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Pepsi, £2.20

(28g sugar per 250ml)

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I’VE never been a big fan of Pepsi.

 It tastes even sweeter than Coca-Cola and it’s nearly as pricey.

 I found it quite heavy and not very refreshing to drink.

 In blind tests carried out for the makers though, many people picked it as their favourite over Coca-Cola, so it may just be down to personal preference.

 Pepsi definitely isn’t for me though.

• TASTE: 4
• VALUE: 2
• TOTAL: 3

Tesco Classic Cola, 60p

(11.7g sugar per 250ml)

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TESCO’S cola was much lighter in colour than all the others and it tasted thin, watery and weak. 

It’s worth noting that it’s the least unhealthy of the bunch.

It has 11.7g of sugar in each glass – compared to 28g in Pepsi or 27g in Coca-Cola.

However, I thought you could taste the sweeteners that have been added.

 I wouldn’t buy this one again.

• TASTE: 2
• VALUE: 5
• TOTAL: 4

Cola by Sainsbury’s, 47p

(12.1g sugar per 250ml)

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SAINSBURY’S own-brand version packs a powerful, fruity, cola punch. 

It is not a million miles away from the “real thing”.

But perhaps it is closer in taste to the more upmarket brands such as Fentiman’s Curiosity Cola. That, however, retails at more than £3 for just 750ml – which works out at a whopping £8 for two litres.

 I liked Sainsbury’s Cola and would put it in my basket again.

• TASTE: 8
• VALUE: 10
• TOTAL: 8

Morrisons Cola, 60p

(12g sugar per 250ml)

9

MORRISONS cola gave a great big fizz as I opened the bottle and initially this looked promising. 

But moments after I poured it into my glass it both looked and tasted quite flat.

 It was very light in colour compared to Coca-Cola and almost treacle-like in consistency, but it tasted thin and weak.

 It was recognisable as cola – but only just.

• TASTE: 1
• VALUE: 3
• TOTAL: 2

Aldi Vive Cola Original, 47p

(12g sugar per 250ml)

9

ALDI’S Vive Cola Original had a very strong, syrupy flavour and a nasty aftertaste. 

I didn’t like it.

 It tasted more like Pepsi Max than original Coca-Cola so if that’s your usual go-to brand, perhaps you could swap to this and save yourself some money.

You can’t argue about the price. 

It’s just 47p for a two-litre bottle that could last a family all week.

• TASTE: 2
• VALUE: 7
• TOTAL: 4

Asda Cola, 60p

(12g sugar per 250ml)

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A WORTHY runner-up. I was impressed by Asda’s cola.

 If you gave yourself a bit of time to get used to the taste, you’d soon think you were drinking original Coca-Cola (which actually tastes quite sweet in comparison). 

Like all the other supermarket own-brand versions, this one contains less sugar too, so it’s a little better for you too.

• TASTE: 9
• VALUE: 8
• TOTAL: 9

Coca-Cola, £1.70 (1.5L)

(27g sugar per 250ml)

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IF you want the real thing, you have to pay through the nose for it. 

It’s £1.70 for a smaller bottle – you get a quarter less than you do in all the others. Two litres would work out at £2.27.

However, Coca-Cola’s taste is hard to beat. It holds its fizz and is very refreshing to drink both on its own and as a mixer.

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 It’s bad news for your health and wallet though, so perhaps best kept as an occasional treat.

• TASTE: 10
• VALUE: 6
• TOTAL: 9

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LYNSEY’S VERDICT

COCA-COLA remains the nation’s favourite for a reason – it tastes better.

 There is something lighter, fizzier and more refreshing about it. It didn’t win here as times are tough, money is tight and it’s an expensive luxury.

 If you’re looking to save money on grocery bills definitely try Lidl’s cola. It’s around £1.80 cheaper and that’s a big saving of over £93 if you buy a bottle a week.

 I was impressed by Sainsbury’s too. It tasted like the more trendy, upmarket versions but is currently price-matching Aldi. 

Give it a go and if you like it, stock up while it’s on offer. 

Big brands are not always best.