When did we all become obsessed with Diet Coke again?
Some say there is nothing better than opening a crisp can of soft drink on a hot day — but one particular beverage is swiftly becoming a phenomenon.
Some say (myself included) that there is nothing more satisfying than opening a crisp can of soft drink on a stinking hot day — but one particular beverage has become a phenomenon.
Diet Coke is finally having its moment in the sun after being temporarily overshadowed with the creation of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. It is literally everywhere you look — on T-shirts, on social media and it has started popping up in vending machines once again.
Kristen Hollingshaus, a San Francisco-based lifestyle influencer, rose to fame on social media with her “Diet Coke break” clips. All she would do is take a moment to prepare the drink — sometimes adding additions such as lime flavouring or strawberry and basil — while either doing it “ASMR style” or chatting with her followers about her day.
She even bought herself a soda fountain machine, sparking a debate among her followers over how the fizzy drink is best enjoyed – from the can, or from a soda machine.
Her clip showing off the soda fountain has more than five million views.
One of her first clips from 2023 showed Ms Hollingshaus grab a stack of citrus drink flavourings and head to her local McDonald’s for her daily midday “Diet Coke break”. She orders a large version of the beverage, takes a sip and then combines her citrus additions.
The popular influencer, dubbed ‘Diet Coke Girl’ on Instagram, has replicated these simple clips dozens of times. In a recent clip she even added edible glitter to her Diet Coke.
Diet Coke is back, baby
Meanwhile, Canadian woman Raquel Benitah specifically went to a jewellery store in Toronto after learning that you can get a Diet Coke Slushie while you wait for your customisable piece.
“It is insane. She’s gorg. It’s giving 7 Eleven,” Ms Benitah said after taking a sip of the frozen beverage.
Some have even jokingly started refering to it as a “fridge ciggie”, declaring that opening a can of Diet Coke at the end of a stressful day was akin to smoking a cigarette.
Popular food content creator Ange Eats told news.com.au that this particular trend is “a little outrageous but I can see the irony behind it.”
He added: “I think people have always been obsessed with sugar free and diet soft drinks. More people on the daily are becoming obsessed and conscious of their health and health benefits and they’re always wanting to make better choices and sugar free/diet is the better option.
“I think trends like these are only just making the obsession worse and are just highlighting the diet/sugar free soft drink market more.”
The power of social media
But, it’s a clip from social media personality Josh Rosen that perfectly sums up the beverage’s current elevated status within society – with a call for people to base their social lives around the beloved soft drink.
“If I’m not meeting up with friends for breakfast, lunch or coffee the only other alternative is to meet them for a drink,” he said.
“And I think we need to normalise just going out for Diet Coke and French fries. You’re each going to get a Diet Coke and split a giant plate of fries and that is the alternative evening going out catching up activity.
“The truth is I don’t drink as much as I used to, most of my friends don’t drink as much as they used to.”
He said when people don’t feel like drinking, and they don’t want to go for dinner, something is needed to fill that void and a Diet Coke catch up is a great alternative.
“I want this to be as common as going for a drink, getting coffee or going out for a meal,” he said.
Social media users were quick to voice their support, with brands such as Macca’s and Diet Coke even jumping in to comment.
“Full meal version is Diet Coke, ceasar salad, and French fries,” one person said.
“This actually sounds ideal. I would also be down for chips and salsa,” another comment read.
One added: “Diet Coke and French fries per day keeps the migraines away.”
“And this slaps at any price point! ride to a drive through with me, sit in a restaurant, take out and sit outside? ALL SO GOOD,” another added.
Diet Coke weighs in on the popularity spike
“Diet Coke has been a much-loved part of our product range in Australia since its launch in the early 1980s, and it continues to have a loyal fan base,” a Coca Cola Australia spokesperson told news.com.au.
“We’re committed to offering a wide variety of beverage options, and while Coca-Cola Zero Sugar continues to be a standout performer in the zero sugar space, Diet Coke holds a unique and special place in our line-up.”
So, while Diet Coke breaks may look a little different — no longer featuring shirtless construction workers like advertisement at the top of this article from 1995 — the core of the drink’s success remains the same.
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