Classic red cans. Polar bears in commercials. The unmistakable fizz of a freshly opened bottle. Coca-Cola has been around since 1892 and is so ingrained in American culture that most people today can’t remember a time without it.
But depending on where you live, the version in your fridge might look a little different. From long-standing favorites like Diet Coke to newer options like Coke Zero Vanilla, Americans have strong opinions about their go-to Coke.
To find out which varieties are most popular across the country, we analyzed Google Trends search interest over the past 12 months. The data reveals clear regional patterns, surprising standouts, and shifting tastes that show just how personalized even the most iconic products can be.
Coke Favorites in Every State
Here’s our breakdown on the most popular Coke flavors in every state.
There were two standout options:
Coke Zero was the most popular in 24 states, making it the clear nationwide favorite.
- This zero-calorie option dominated in the South and West, including states like Texas, Florida, and California, where demand for sugar-free choices seems to run high. Even Coca-Cola’s home state of Georgia preferred Zero Sugar, showing how expansive their offerings have become.
Diet Coke came out on top in 10 states, with strongholds in the Northeast and Midwest, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Minnesota.
- Its long-standing reputation and distinct flavor still resonate with loyal fans, especially in areas where it’s been a household staple for decades.
Other flavors receiving votes for most popular Coke:
- Cherry Coke led in 3 states: Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
- Caffeine-Free Coke was the top choice in Hawaii, Iowa, and Kansas.
- Cherry Vanilla Coke led in Indiana and Michigan.
- Lemon Coke topped searches in Mississippi and New York.
- Coke Zero Vanilla was most searched in Maine and Utah.
While Coke Zero dominates much of the country, regionality plays a big role in Coke preferences. Up next, we’ll look at how they shift when you zoom out to the four major U.S. regions.
Regional Coke Preferences
While Coca-Cola loyalty runs deep nationwide, regional tastes tell an interesting, dichotomous story. We broke the country into four major regions to see how preferences shift depending on where you live.
Diet Coke is a staple in northern U.S. households Diet Coke came out on top in 10 states across the Midwest (four states) and Northeast (six states), solidifying its status as a true American classic. Interestingly, Diet Coke didn’t register as the most popular in one single Southern or Western state, really illustrating the regional taste disparity.
As Coca-Cola’s original diet offering, it’s been a go-to choice for more than 40 years. With a long-standing fan base and a steady presence in office fridges and corner stores, Diet Coke continues to lead in older, denser markets where tradition still holds strong.
Coke Zero dominates in the South and West Coke Zero was the most searched Coke variety in 21 states across the South (14 states) and West (seven states), making it the clear regional favorite in the southern half of the country.
As a newer addition to the Coca-Cola lineup, Coke Zero has quickly gained ground by offering the taste of the original with zero calories. Its dominance in the South, where Coca-Cola is headquartered, suggests a strong connection to the brand’s newer innovations. And in the West, known for more health-conscious preferences, the shift toward no-calorie options aligns with broader trends.
Across the board, low- and no-calorie options like Diet Coke and Coke Zero dominated. Whether driven by health goals or shifting preferences, it’s clear that fewer calories don’t mean less popularity.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at some of the Coke flavors that registered interest across the U.S.
The Most Popular Types of Coke Overall
Coca-Cola may be best known for its signature red can, but search interest shows that some Americans are reaching for something a little different.
While Coke Zero and Diet Coke led in most states, several other varieties, from Caffeine-Free Coke to Cherry Coke, took the top spot in more than one state each.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the options that got less love in our analysis. Here are the Coke types that were most searched in just one state each:
- Coca-Cola Original - Idaho
- Coke Orange Cream - Maryland
- Diet Coke Orange - Wisconsin
- Diet Coke Vanilla - Nevada
- Vanilla Coke - Delaware
Perhaps the most surprising thing from the entire study is that the original Coca-Cola came in as the most popular in only one state. It just goes to show that the wide range of flavors and recipe alterations Coke offers are driving interest, even limited-time flavors Diet Coke Orange!
Whether it’s a nostalgic pick like Vanilla Coke or a bold new option like Coke Orange Cream, there’s no shortage of curiosity when it comes to reimagining a classic.
Closing Thoughts
Coke preferences may vary by region, but one thing is clear: Americans aren’t afraid to branch out from the original. From Coke Zero to Cherry Vanilla, search interest shows that people want options that fit their lifestyle while still delivering the taste they know.
Our analysis of Google Trends data highlights how preferences shift across the country and reflects the broader trend that consumers are looking for choices that feel personal, whether it’s in what they drink or where they work.
At Employers.io, we help job seekers find roles that match their skills, goals, and values. Just like your favorite Coke isn’t one-size-fits-all, your next job shouldn’t be either. And if your love for the soda brand runs deep, you can learn more about working at Coca-Cola! today!
Methodology
To determine the most popular types of Coca-Cola in every state, we created a list of popular Coke types and flavors and ran an analysis of Google Trends data over the past 12 months to find out which ones are the most popular in every state. We compared the search interest for each type of Coke head-to-head to find the most popular ones in every state. We used search interest as an indicator of popularity for this study.