There is nothing better than a super cold, syrupy, coke from the movie theater fountain! I am not a fan of carbonation and think it’s the syrup level that I like in fountain drinks.
I love ice-cold diet coke from a can. To me, it tastes colder and more carbonated. I also love the slight tang of the aluminum.
I hate plastic bottles the most, but also hate fountain drinks. Among other things, the ice dilutes the soda. I’m surprised that some prefer this obviously inferior delivery system!
To those who prefer fountains, do you pour your canned soda into a glass (with or without ice)? Or drink it with a straw? Ice-cold directly from the can, sans straw, is the only way to go!
When I drink from a can, usually it’s straight from the fridge…no glass, no ice.
I understand that if the fountain drink doesn’t have the right amount of syrup, it will water down pretty quickly.
Whether bottle or can (and I prefer bottle) it’s straight from the container without a straw. With a 2-liter bottle, I use a glass without ice and no straw. Even with fountain soda, I prefer it without ice. Why water it down?
I don’t feel like mine get watered down if they are cold to begin with and the ice is good quality.
I agree that as long as the beverage is cold to begin with, adding ice doesn’t water it down. However, at self-serve fountains, I don’t put a lot of ice in the cup.
I think fountain sodas are usually way too syrupy. Old-style glass bottles are the best, by far. Cans are next best. Then small (16 oz) plastic bottles. Next, from a fountain. The worst – again, by far – are large plastic bottles, especially after they’ve been opened. Once opened, they can never be closed tightly enough again to prevent the loss of carbonation. And a lot of times they’re flat even when first opened.
I use a straw when drinking from a can. Otherwise, it tastes metallic to me.
love coke zero from a fountain.
At home I like it a tall glass of ice with a straw.
Will not buy or drink it from a plastic bottle but will drink a can if a pressed.
Love the question.
Made me quite happy after a tough day
For beer, draft is always better than a bottle. I agree about the syrup and water mis not reliable.
I definitely think some vendors are more careful with the syrup/bubbles combo than others. We live In coke country and the cokes at Sea Island resort (where the Coca-Cola Candler family has vacationed for many years) are excellent. UGA’s Sanford Stadium also has great tasting fountain coke.
I have had it in restaurants where it is too sweet or flat or watery.
Inconsistency from fountains can be caused when the vendor or whomever maintains the under-the-counter canisters doesn’t check them. Too little (or too much) syrup is a problem. The manager of the restaurant or shop has to keep on top of the condition (fluid levels) of the canisters and of the tubes leading from the canisters to the “fountain gun” or nozzle.
By the way, the composition of the soda bottle does affect taste. The soda companies discovered years ago that the soda can interact with the plastic bottle to degrade the flavor. But economically, for the soda companies plastic has an advantage over glass and aluminum. Just like corn syrup has a cost advantage over cane sugar. As the saying goes, “follow the money.”
We used to get the Mexican (glass bottle) Coke’s from Costco. They taste far better than plastic bottle or can Coke IMO.
Well, that’s due to the ingredients in Mexican coke, not the container.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Coke
Boy. I would do anything not to be addicted to this stuff. I quit once before and it lasted a year. Now I have about 5 12 can boxes left and will finish those and not buy anymore. I am convinced it has helped me (along menopause & chocolate) gain two sizes over the last few years. I enjoy it from the fountain, can or bottle with lots of fresh lemon & ice. I have one or two every afternoon from 3-5pm almost religiously as a routine. I really hope I can break this cycle!
The dining hall on campus I frequented had the most carbonated Coke I’ve ever had. It was so amazing. I completely believe what made it taste good was the heavy handed carbonation. So bubbly. So refreshing.
It had a strong hold on me, though. I would have it with my breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Because I don’t go there anymore, I’ve had not choice but to let it go. Water it is for me. 
Niquii- years ago I was addicted to my dining hall’s chocolate milk from a dispenser. Probably 2% milk, and it was so cold, I could never get enough. Funny what having something handy will do to a person.
@Niquii77 and @psychmomma, same as you, accessibility drove my soda drinking. I would get a Fanta from the fountain with every meal in college. Thankfully, I’ve since given up soda and never looked back
Another important factor is the lines not being changed. Some places will change flavors each time like coke, then sprite, then root beer and then the soda ends up not tasting oure.
I love those coke dispensers in some restaurants that are red and you pick your soda and flavor. Coke zero cherry vanilla is my fave out of that machine.
I’m totally addicted to McDonald’s diet Coke, they have it for $1 at some stores here still. I’ve read that McDonald’s puts a lot of money and effort into the “perfect” combination of carbnation/sweetness.