McDonald's is home to some of the most iconic fast food items, like the Big Mac and those perfect, salty French fries. And there's no better way to round out this meal than with an ice-cold, fizzy Coke—a McDonald's Coke, to be exact.
McD's fans say that the fast food chain's fountain Coca-Cola tastes superior to any other Coke from a can, bottle, or soda gun. While we could simply say it's all in our heads, there are scientific reasons why McDonald's Coke is better.
So how does it end up tasting so special? These are all the variables that go into making Coca-Cola at McDonald's.
The Syrup Ratio
If you’re drinking a fountain soda, you’re most likely enjoying it over ice. But over time, the ice melts, and you end up with a diluted drink. McDonald’s understands how this process diminishes your drinking experience, so they adjust their syrup-to-water ratio to account for the ice. So when it comes straight out of the fountain, the Coke is more concentrated than your standard soda. It’s the reason why your first sip of McDonald’s Coke tastes so great—but it’s also why your soda never ends up watery.
The Filtration
Soda is mostly water, which means that the H2O you start with makes a major difference (for better or for worse). Different regions have different water sources and pipes that can all impact the way your soda tastes. McDonald’s levels the playing field with its filtration systems. Before the water reaches the soda fountain, McDonald’s says that the water is filtered "to ensure [their] drinks are always meeting a gold standard."
The Temperature
We all know that soda tastes better when it’s ice-cold. McDonald’s makes sure that your Coke is chilled at every stage, even before it reaches the soda fountain. The stainless steel used to store the syrup is extremely effective when it comes to temperature control, so the syrup always stays cold (and fresh). The water used in McDonald’s soda fountains is also pre-chilled before it’s carbonated. Every cup of McDonald’s soda is cold and refreshing—whether you add ice or not.
The Straw
McDonald’s says that they design their striped straws to be wider than average, which allows the beverage to reach a larger surface area. Besides getting more soda with each sip, the larger diameter means that the flavor will feel fuller and more intense. The chain says that their straws are specifically designed "so all that Coke taste can hit your taste buds."
