We Made Espresso Drinks with Our Favorite Sodas (And One Was Incredible)
Share
What happens when you combine espresso with soda? We weren’t sure either—but we were curious enough to try it.
Armed with our office’s top three favorite sodas—Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite—and a light roast Ethiopian espresso, we decided to get a little weird (in the best way). The idea was simple: brew a solid shot, pour it over ice, and mix it with soda to see what happens. The results? Let’s just say we were surprised.
First, the Espresso Setup
We started with what’s called a Turbo Shot—a newer espresso method perfect for lighter roasted coffees. It’s brewed a little differently: coarser grind, a 1:3 ratio, and a super short 15-second brew time. It’s designed to bring out more clarity and sweetness in light roasts, which made it the perfect match for this experiment.
We used an Ethiopian Shaiso—bright, citrusy, floral. Not what you’d usually pair with soda... which made it all the more fun.
Round One: Coca-Cola + Espresso
We kicked things off with Coke, and honestly, it was way better than we expected. Like alarmingly good.
The Coke and espresso balanced each other out: the syrupy sweetness of the soda mellowed under the coffee’s bitterness, while the espresso added depth and complexity. It reminded us of the canned “coffee colas” Coke used to make—but fresher, brighter, and more refined. Think coffee soda, elevated.
We added a decent amount of Coke, but it never overpowered the espresso. If anything, they lifted each other up. Add a lime or lemon peel garnish, and it’s a summer drink you’d expect to see at a fancy café.
Would we serve this in a coffee shop? Absolutely. This one deserves a permanent spot on a summer drink menu.
Round Two: Fanta + Espresso
Next up: orange soda.
We went in with low expectations—orange soda isn’t exactly known for being elegant—but it wasn’t terrible. In fact, it was... kind of good?
The flavor wasn’t as cohesive as the Coke version, but it had potential. It tasted playful and nostalgic. That said, we think the real win here would be swapping Fanta for something like a Sanpellegrino blood orange or an Italian citrus soda. Something with more natural flavor and less corn syrup.
Verdict: Better than expected. Not a top-tier pairing, but not trash either.
Round Three: Sprite + Espresso
Last was Sprite, and we had hopes this one might work—especially since lemon and coffee are often paired together in cold brew recipes and espresso tonics.
Turns out? Sprite and espresso is actually really good.
It’s refreshing, light, and citrus-forward, with just enough bitterness from the espresso to give it structure. Again, a more “elevated” lemon-lime soda (like something made with cane sugar or botanicals) would probably take this to the next level.
If you’re into coffee tonics, this is like a more accessible version with a twist.
Our only tip? Stir before sipping. That layer of Sprite sitting under a floating shot of espresso looks cool—but mixing is key to balance.
Final Rankings
After trying all three, here’s how we’d rank them:
-
Coca-Cola + Espresso – The clear winner. Bold, balanced, and surprisingly smooth.
-
Sprite + Espresso – A close second. Light and citrusy. Perfect for hot days.
-
Fanta + Espresso – More fun than refined, but not bad with the right soda.
What’s Next?
This got us thinking: there are so many other sodas worth trying. Root beer, Dr. Pepper, even cream soda. And don’t even get us started on artisan sodas like Lollipop or Boylan’s—with flavors like strawberry vanilla or black cherry, the possibilities are wild.
If you find the right soda, you don’t need syrups or elaborate ingredients. Just pour it over espresso, and let the soda do the work.
Try It Yourself
If you want to recreate this at home:
-
Grab a quality light roast espresso (we used Ethiopia Shaiso)
-
Brew a turbo shot (or your preferred shot)
-
Pick your soda
-
Pour over ice, mix, and enjoy
Trust us—espresso + Coca-Cola is about to be your new favorite drink.