Are we still addicted to Diet Coke?

Hi gang,

What a busy week in the world of CPG. It always is, really. There’s always a new product like micro-dosed cannabis, mushroom, social tonic in a can popping up somewhere. Can’t they just do normal drugs like everyone else? ^{_{(Do not do drugs}} ❤️^₎

Look, we’d offer to get you that drink to try but it’s in the USA and probably illegal here so we can’t. Anyway, aren’t we still riding for plain old Diet Coke like a 90’s Kate Moss?

We are. Diet Coke is more than a fizzy drink — it’s a cultural identity marker.

You've probably heard someone say something like "I literally can't function without Diet Coke."

Drinking coffee signals chaotic productivity and sophistication. Energy drinks reign supreme for extreme sports, in gaming circles, and with goths at bus stops. Diet Coke exists in its own ecosystem.

It's a fashion statement and symbol of productivity — laced with a touch of self-deprecation. No other beverage has managed to make itself so bleakly aspirational.

Enough about Diet Coke! Away with thee devil!

There’s some pretty snazzy new soft drinks in town (also known as the shelves).

We’re calling them soda now. Which is fair enough because “fizz”, “fizzy drinks”, or “pop” does make us feel like we’re going to a 7th birthday party in a church hall.

Soda is being upgraded in a big way. No longer the simple flavoured carbonated fizzy drink. They now have prebiotics, adaptogens, nootropics, billions of live cultures, low sugar, no added sugar, plant fibre, kefir, electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, and even pinecones. Yes, pinecones. We’re here for the health conscious soda ride, even if we’re not totally sure what all of those things mean.

Here’s what Iz thought of XOXO Soda.

pantryypuss

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Stories about people, told by products.

Iz’s XOXO story tell us that she’s a prematurely-greying-office-working-girl-who’s-semi-conscious-about-her-health-but-not-enough-to-stop-drinking-coffee. What’s yours?

Btw, you can try the products talked about in Pantry Puss. Join the community of humans trying things so we don’t only have to watch Iz & Bert.

All these new sodas fills our tiny, tin hearts with joy. Diet Coke is the friend from school you can rely on to show up to you birthday but it doesn’t have to be your only personality trait, or emotional support drink anymore. You have a whole new fridge to choose from.

What Else?

Bert’s been drinking AG1 to see if he can become the optimal, optimised, ubermensch. Read and watch his experience of the phthalo green powder.

Iz made a Colin the Caterpillar joke and had a breakdown — are we just purveyors of corporate performance art?

Love you bye!

Pantry Puss