One of the highlights of my trip last week to Arthur Avenue with Julie had nothing to do with Italian food: it was the Coke you see above. That's a Mexican Coke--Julie told me I had to try one (they sold it at a Mexican grocery store in the middle of all the Italian places)--and what makes it special is it's made with real cane sugar, no corn syrup. After eating a giant cannoli, I wasn't in the mood for something so sweet but I caved in just to see what it was all about and I'm glad I did. The difference between Coke made with cane sugar and Coke made with corn syrup is the difference between brownies you make yourself and a Hostess cupcake: one is real-tasting and honest, the other tastes like the plastic it's wrapped in. If you have the chance to try Mexican Coke sometime, do. Mexican Coke is it.
Comments (18)
I love Mexican Coke. If you like Dr Pepper, there's Dublin Dr Pepper--Dr Pepper made with cane sugar instead of corn syrup. Such a superior flavor!
Posted by Lisa (Homesick Texan) | September 25, 2007 2:51 PM
Ooh I always wondered what was so special about Mexican Coke. I need to find the nearest Mexican grocery store...
And thanks Lisa for the Dr. Pepper info!
Posted by Hillary | September 25, 2007 2:56 PM
Most of the coca-cola made for the rest of the world is cane-sugar based, actually. So if you're in Europe or Asia, you are probably more likely drinking on HFCS coke.
Lucky bastards.
Posted by Fatemeh | September 25, 2007 3:07 PM
IIRC, Mexican Coke is the same thing as kosher-for-Passover Coke; made with cane sugar instead of the kitniyot corn syrup. You can get it in 2L size in most supermarkets in Boston in March or April; just look for the yellow cap.
Unfortunately, we finished this year's supply back in early August. Ah well!
Posted by Lynne | September 25, 2007 3:10 PM
I was going to share the tip about kosher coke as well. I miss the sugar-based coke of my childhood. It tasted so much better than this corn syrup nonsense. Perhaps the cost of corn will get so high (driven by the ethanol craze) that coke will revert to sugar? I can hope.
Posted by Apium | September 25, 2007 3:16 PM
And to top it off, it has 10 LESS calories than the caned variety.
Posted by J W Norris | September 25, 2007 3:25 PM
Oh my gosh I worte about this on my blog a couple of months back when I was in Arizona. Mexican coke was extremely popular there mostly because of the nostalgic bottles.
Posted by Kelly Mahoney | September 25, 2007 3:40 PM
I'm pretty sure that high fructose corn syrup will eventually lead to the downfall of the Western World - but maybe that's not such a bad thing?
Posted by zeep | September 25, 2007 7:10 PM
I just happened to pick up a case of Mexican Coke from Costco yesterday! Haven't tried it yet but am looking forward to it (as with any sweet things, I try to consume it with moderation)!
Posted by Ovens to Betsy | September 25, 2007 9:29 PM
I believe they also put less phosphoric acid in it. I think this is because we perceive cane sugar (sucrose) to be less sweet than HFCS, and therefore need less acid to balance it out, but it could also be a market preference thing. Either way, the lower acid version is more appealing to my mouth.
Posted by Phil | September 26, 2007 3:20 AM
The old 'secret' recipe bit must be a myth. The coke I buy in Spain is different than what I buy in France and they are both totally different from what I buy in the U.S. I actually swtich to (gasp) Pepsi when I'm in the U.S. - sort of a teeny, tiny, mini-protest....
On the same note we (Europe) have absolutley best tasting tonic anywhere in the known universe (Indian Tonic - yes, its Scwepps)
Posted by Katie | September 26, 2007 3:46 AM
ah, so that's why coca cola in italy is the best thing i've ever tasted.
Posted by abby | September 27, 2007 8:34 AM
Mexican Coke is so good- I think the glass bottle makes a difference, tho that's probably just me reverting to my childhood when ALL soda was available in a glass bottle.
Coke Lite is also better than US diet coke. We honeymooned in Mexico this past spring and the husband couldn't get enough Coke Lite. I live in an area with a large Hispanic population which means lots of stores, but I haven't found Coke Lite yet. Anyone know if is is available in the US?
Posted by auntjone | September 27, 2007 1:13 PM
I don't drink soda, but I make an exception for Coke when I'm in Mexico. It's so delicious (especially in the mini bottles).
Posted by Amy K | September 28, 2007 12:40 AM
I don't drink coke, but I do second that emotion zeep.
Posted by Robin | September 28, 2007 9:52 AM
hi adam,
i recently too tried mexican coke upon my bf's recommendation. it was delicious! was surprised how much better it tasted than american coke. i guess it's not that hard to do when high fructose corn syrup is in everything. eww.
Posted by susan | September 28, 2007 3:39 PM
Oh my god. This reminds me of the family trip we made to cancun back when I was 18. ((the folks were begging me to have my first Mississippi Mudslide early in life))
We went, bought the Coca Colas first thing along with the groceries for the week long trip, and when we got home, at the first sip I fell in LOVE with this stuff. I swear, it was the nagging thought at the back of my head that made me wonder what they were doing differently. XD
Posted by Tasha | September 28, 2007 10:17 PM
Hey, where did you find that? I live on Arthur, but I've never seen it. Thanks
Posted by Danielle Wegman | October 2, 2007 9:44 AM