To think Coke should be cold?

[FraidyCat]

I hardly ever eat out. Tonight went to nice Indian restaurant, and I made the same mistake I make every time I eat in a non-chain restaurant: ordered Coke to drink. I can't remember the last time I had a Coke in a independent restaurant that was served at other than room temperature. The Coke was served in a large Coca-Cola branded glass with lemon and ice and a straw, but putting ice in Coke does not compensate for the actual liquid being lukewarm.

It's not just my local Indian, our nearby Thai (not posh but once reviewed as one of the top three in London) does the same.

All chain restaurants I go to serve Coke cold, as do pubs, so I know I'm not insane to think virtually everyone prefers refrigerated soft drinks.

I wondered if warm Coke is an Asian thing, as usually eating out means Indian, Thai, Chinese or (less often) Vietnamese or Korean. Also I know Chinese people regard cold drinks as unhealthy. But I remember going with DW to what reviews described as a French bistro off Oxford street, excellent food, but warm coke served at lunch-time on a day when it was nearly 30 degrees outside.

Why are my restaurant Cokes always warm?

I have just Googled, apparently Coca-Cola say Coke should be served at 38 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 3.3 degrees Celsius.

Have also Googled fridge temperature, I was wrong, apparently it's not 8 degrees, it's 3.

So restaurant Coke at more than 15 degrees Celsius (if it has 25% ice) is more than five times the recommended temperature.

So to get room-temperature (22 degrees) Coke down to the recommended Coke temperature of 3.3 degrees, you would have to have a drink that was 85% ice and 15% coke, in which all the ice had melted and mixed with the coke, while in a thermos to prevent the temperature of the whole drink rising.

I think it's safe to say you can't make Coke cold by mixing it with ice. Long before you get the temperature right, it will no longer taste like Coke.

I like all drinks (apart from 'hot' drinks) at room temperature including wine and beer.

YANBU OP. Love a cold coke and it should be ice cold.

DH likes all his "cold" drinks and room temperature though and always refuses ice... But I thought he was a freak. Clearly not if this thread is anything to go by

Coke should be served ice cold, over crushed ice (never cubes), with a straw. Perfection.

I usually say no to ice - not because I don't like it cold, but I don't like the watery mixture it makes. It shouldn't be taken those who say no to ice like it room temperature.

And OP - I so agree. There is nothing worse than a 'cold' drink not being cold.

Back in 1963, first year at University, a popular Saturday morning venue was a coffee bar whose speciality was hot , yes hot as in tea or coffee, CocaCola. For some strange reason we found it delicious. Have not tried it since though.

I do actually like cold Coke, and I realise it's not a mainstream choice to go with a meal in a proper restaurant.

What do you mean?

Oh yes, it also tastes better from a glass bottle (as established in childhood).

I really want an ice cold coke now

YANBU, warm coke? eurgh.

Also a glass of ice is plenty cold enough. You fill the glass and then pour the coke to fill the spaces. I find it amazing the British still don't understand how to use ice.

i always ask coke with no ice, and let my cans/ bottles sit to room temperatre, I can't drink it if it's ice cold... fussy :(

I prefer a Diet Pepsi. Ice cold, with ice and a slice and a straw.

Room temperature? Bleurgh.

If you put enough ice in it, that's perfectly fine, shouldn't be a problem.

It's when they serve it with 2 cubes in a glass which melt within two minutes and hardly chill the drink.

Eww. Watery pop.

Your physics is wrong.

I seem to recall reading that the perfect glass of coke should be served chilled to 3 degrees Celsius, poured from a glass signature coca cola bottle into a signature coca cola glass over ice. NEVER add the ice afterwards, it affects the fizz.

Yanbu OP, warm coke doesn't taste right and leaves a nasty, sticky residue on the tongue, rather than being crisp and refreshing.

Ice cold full sugar coke with lemon slice and ice and a straw... delicious!

Thanks OP for making me think about that while I'm on a diet!

I prefer it from the fridge too. YANBU

rainicorn you were right in the first post, it is 'draught' for drinks rather than 'draft' (unless you are from the US). They are both pronounced the same though.

Your physics is wrong

More arithmetic than Physics.

OK then, how much ice does it take to get Coke from 22 degrees to 3 degrees? Show your working.