I Tried the Viral Diet Coke and Espresso Drink, and It’s the Midday Pick-Me-Up We All Need

When I was a kid, I would beg my grandmother to let me share a cup of coffee with her. While she’d always tell me no because it would “stunt my growth,” after countless times of asking, she finally let me have a sip of her cup. Though I never really got to have my own full cup, coffee has always held a special place in my heart because my grandmother loved it. 

Though I still haven’t really gotten into having a daily cup of coffee like my grandmother, the recent response that the viral Diet Coke Lemon Espresso drink has been getting has made me reconsider. Sending shockwaves throughout the online and Coca-Cola-loving community, Instagrammer Joe Hegyes, shook things up when he introduced what he called “the drink of the summer” to his followers. And, according to those who tried it, it was for good reason. 

After garnering more than 1.9 million views, I knew I had to give it a try. With its very simple yet unique combination of ingredients — espresso, Diet Coke, and lemon — it piqued my interest. So, I ran up to the store, grabbed what I needed, and gave it a shot.

Try the recipe: Diet Coke Lemon Espresso

This is a very simple recipe that requires minimal ingredients. All you need is Diet Coke, your choice of espresso, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. In a glass, add ice and fill 3/4 of it up with Diet Coke. Then, fill the remainder of the cup with espresso and squeeze the juice from one lemon wedge on top, (optionally) garnishing with a lemon wedge. Mix well and sip!

This was a very interesting recipe. Though I wasn’t too sold on the flavor profile to drink a full 16-ounce glass of the drink (mainly because I’m not a huge coffee type of guy and Diet Coke isn’t my first grab when I’m craving carbonation), I could see myself taking a shot of this or having a quick 4 to 6 ounces. 

The drink produced a fizzy chocolatey taste with a hint of fruit. While it won’t be my first choice for a summer drink, it would be perfect for a midday pick-me-up. Not to mention, with the amount of caffeine it has, it can definitely provide a boost of energy for those needing it. And, if you believe the folktale of coffee helping with hangovers, then it could also help you the morning after an amazing night out.

1. Play around with the ratio of each ingredient. Since there’s technically no real recipe for this drink, it’s OK to play around with the amount of espresso versus Diet Coke and lemon juice to make it fit your palate.

Try the recipe: Diet Coke Lemon Espresso