I’ve felt a refreshing pleasure while having sprite or coke. At the same time, I’ve also seen a few adults who set themselves into an adrenaline-filled frenzy after having a sip or two. But, do these drinks have any other offering rather than gastronomical pleasures. It really is a brain teaser, isn’t it?
Well, to debunk it all and know the facts, we’re here to talk about the ultimate contenders of all times; Sprite vs. Coke. The distinction between these two aren’t just in their colours, but in flavours too. Coke has a fizzy base however, Sprite has a refreshing, lemony taste. Most importantly, caffeine levels in Sprite are non-existent while it’s quite high in Coke.
However, that’s not all, as people are always wondering which one is better and what characteristics set them apart. Now that you’re intrigued to know about this age-old battle keep reading as we elaborate on it all.
More Reads: Sprite Vs 7Up: Which One Tastes Better?
History Of Sprite And Coke:
The Coca-Cola Company owns both Coke and Sprite. Coke was an innovation in Atlanta via a pharmacist named Dr John S. Permberton. It was introduced back in 1886. Later on, in 1888, a businessman named Asa Candler bought out Coke’s recipe from Dr Permberton and started The Coca-Cola Company within the next few years.
It’s not unknown that Coke has been continuously the best-selling soda drink ever since its breakthrough.
On the contrary, Sprite was introduced much later and is younger too. Sprite, founded in 1959, was produced as a transparent lemon Fanta in West Germany. But, it was introduced to the US even later in 1961 under its now known name, Sprite.
Sprite And Coke Ingredients:
Let’s look into a side-by-side comparison of the ingredients list of Coke and Sprite. This will give us a clearer picture of what truly goes on within the makings of the drinks.
| Coke Ingredients | Sprite Ingredients |
| Natural Flavors | Natural Lime & Lemon Flavors |
| Carbonated Water | Carbonated Water |
| Phosphoric Acid | Sodium Citrate |
| Caramel Color | Sweeteners |
| Sugar | Sugar |
| Caffeine | Citric Acid |
Some of the common contents of these drinks are natural flavours, sugar, and carbonated water. In retrospect, the vital significance is the quantities and types of sweeteners that these sodas utilize.
In Coke, the sugar is solely utilized to make the soda drink sweet, whereas, in Sprite, the artificial sweeteners and sugar conjointly make the drink sweet. Additionally, another important aspect of difference is the caffeine mark in both of these drinks.
Coke also has a tart kick to it from the phosphoric acid and caramel colour ingredients. However, to see and learn more about their significant differences, we need to look into their nutritional values discussed in the next section.
Nutritional Values Of Coke & Sprite:
Here’s the nutritional value comparison between Coke and Sprite per 100ml.
| Sodas | Sprite | Coke |
| Calories | 14 kcal | 42 kcal |
| Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.3g | 10.6g |
| Sugars | 3.3g | 10.6g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
| Salt | 0.01g | 0g |
Evidently, Coke has a much higher calorie range than Sprite. Thus, if you’re watching your calorie intake, you might want to stick with Sprite. Due to the addition of artificial sweeteners, Sprite has a lower calorie rate as it acts as a sugar substitute.
Therefore, it’s slightly better for your health. However, don’t fool yourself into thinking that it would lead to any better health benefits due to this substitution. It’s a no-brainer that both of these sodas have a few disadvantages that can hamper a human gut’s regular balance and regulation. This is why excessive consumption of these sodas is not a recommendation.
Mineral And Vitamin Values In Sprite And Coke:
| Values per 100g | Sprite | Coke |
| Water | 89.78 g | 90.13 g |
| Calcium | 2 mg | 2mg |
| Iron | 0.11 mg | 0.11 mg |
| Potassium | 1 mg | 2 mg |
| Zinc | 0.04 mg | 0.02 mg |
We see that the water levels in Coke are slightly higher than in Sprite. Zinc is a bit behind, and Coke has higher potassium levels than Sprite. While the differences aren’t significant, it’s better to know what you’re putting into your body, especially if you’re sceptical about sodas or their contents.
At the end of the day, neither of these sodas are ‘healthy’ and should always be a quick retreat and not consumed regularly. However, based on the nutritional, vitamin, and mineral values, we can see that Sprite might take the lead for health-conscious people even though the differences are slim. Don’t fret if you’re an occasional soda drinker, as that won’t affect your body significantly.
Caffeine Ratio In Sprite And Coke:
To be fair, Sprite doesn’t have any properties leading to the indication of consisting of caffeine. But on the other hand, Coke has noticeable amounts of caffeine ingredients.
This caffeine ratio is lower in Coke when compared to multiple other energy drinks that have populated the market recently and coffee. It has around 34mg per 12 fluid ounces of serving. For reference, you might want to compare this with a coffee serving that has about 144mg of caffeine per 12 fluid ounces.
Check out the table below with detailed measurements of caffeine in different servings of Coke to get a clearer picture.
| Caffeine | Caffeine per fluid ounces | Servings |
| 2.8 mg | 21 mg | 7.5 fl oz |
| 2.83 mg | 34 mg | 12 fl oz |
| 2.84 mg | 48 mg | 16.9 fl oz |
| 2.85 mg | 57 mg | 20 fl oz |
Taste Difference:
Are Coke and Sprite the same in terms of appearance or taste? The simple answer is no.
Sprite and Coke have entirely different taste palates. To put it straight, Coke is a cola with no citrusy flavours. In contrast, Sprite is renowned for its fizzy texture and lime or lemony flavour. The ingredients in Coke and Sprite bring alive this distinction.
Moreover, the difference in their tastes also comes from the various fruits and plant-based flavours that the company uses. Coke’s prominent flavour comes from coca leaves’ extracts whereas, Sprite’s citrus taste comes from lemons or fruits of such category.
Final Verdict:
Is it just me, or do you need a fizzy refreshment at this point too? All this writing about the two famous and constantly battling drinks has gotten me really thirsty. What about you?
Lastly, it’s obvious that Sprite is a better choice compared to Coke as it has no caffeine content. Such high levels of caffeine in children and adults can shoot up pressure levels and also make them hyperactive. Other than that, Sprite also consists of much lower levels of sugar and carbohydrate, making it a safer option.
Besides, who doesn’t love Sprite’s lemony flavour anyway, right?
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