This Aldi Drink May Not Be Worth The Money You'll Save Compared To The Name Brand

Diet Coke seems to have had a major renaissance in the last few years, thanks to a combination of savvy marketing, brand nostalgia, and Gen Z influencers. But as compelling as this soda power player is (perhaps in part because it has more caffeine than regular Coke), no one can deny the rising price of the product. 

With the cost of Diet Coke joining the ranks of ... pretty much everything else in terms of inflation, it's no wonder that diet soda fans are seeking alternative bubbly beverages. Some have looked to Aldi's Summit Diet Cola, which has been compared to Diet Coke. At only 99 cents for a 2-liter bottle at the discount grocer, as things currently stand, it's worth a shot. But how does Aldi's product stack up in terms of taste? The internet has mixed reviews.

Opinions on Summit Diet Cola are easily found on multiple Reddit threads, in Facebook communities, and even in original reporting, which often finds that Aldi's stuff is fine to pretty good. Yet that's not a consensus. In a Reddit thread titled "This stuff is so good!" and dedicated to Summit Diet Cola, many commenters took issue with the title. "Its the worst diet cola you could possibly drink. I had to take mine back for the double guarantee. Are you getting paid by Aldi???" one passionate (but roundly downvoted) customer ranted. Another agreed: "You like it? I tried it recently and thought it was terrible, barely tasted like Diet Coke to me at all."

Unfortunately, many reviewers also found Summit Diet Cola to be flat. "[H]ow does something taste so flat out of a freshly cracked can?!" one Redditor lamented, a sentiment that was echoed by a reviewer at Southern Living (who at least found the taste to be similar to Diet Coke).

It seems that the price point is a driving factor for many Coke fans to take the plunge. On the Facebook ALDI Aisle of Shame Community, many commenters report positive experiences while also mentioning price (though it's worth noting that here they're discussing the non-diet variety). "Decided to try Aldi Summit Cola since Coke is now over $7 for a 12 pack of cans and Summit was $3.09," wrote one. "To my surprise and delight I like the Summit better than the Coke!" Another poster said "I only drink summit coke, for less than half the price of coke you can't beat it."

It seems for every positive statement about Summit Diet Cola, there is a negative one clapping back. On Reddit, one user confusedly asked: "Am I the only one who really hates the taste of Summit diet cola. It's cheap enough, which I do appreciate. But it just tastes dreadful." For some, the much lower price is worth the switch, but for many, the taste difference just isn't worth padding your savings account. You'll just have to try it for yourself to make a judgement call — unless you're trying to give up diet soda after learning some potentially unsettling facts.