The Fizzy Iced Coffee Upgrade You Didn't See Coming

Somewhere out there, a very brave soul looked at their coffee and thought, "You know what this needs? Bubbles." And surprisingly, they were right. Mixing iced coffee with cola sounds like something you'd try on a dare, but the result is way better than you'd expect. It's cool, crisp, and just a little sweet, and it gives your caffeine fix a unique spark. So if you haven't already, now's the time to stock up on the best instant coffee brands and start experimenting.

To make this beverage combo, all you need is coffee, cola, and ice. Pour the coffee and soda over each other in a glass — start with about half and half, and give it a stir. The coffee brings its usual bold taste, while the cola adds a fizzy smoothness that makes the whole thing refreshing, no matter how weird the entire idea is.

Some folks take it a step further with a splash of cream, turning it into a soda-float-meets-iced-latte situation. Altogether, it's a dessert and an energy boost wrapped in one package. Sure, there are so many additions that will give your coffee a flavor boost, but cola just might be the most unique of them all. It's perfect for those "I want something fun but also need caffeine to survive the day" moments. And you have free rein to make this as sugary sweet or toned down as you want.

So, why does the unusual combination of coffee and cola work? For starters, coffee and cola balance each other's bitter and caramel flavors. The fizz helps smooth out any sharp notes in your brew, too, especially if you're using a more bitter roast. Cold brew is a great match because it's already smooth, but honestly, even yesterday's leftover coffee will do as long as it's cold. As far as cola goes, you can hardly go wrong with regular soda. Chowhound has also ranked every store-bought Coca-Cola flavor out there, so you have a variety of interesting options to work with, depending on your taste.

A few tips: Don't use hot coffee unless you enjoy warm soda and regret. Go easy on the cola the first time; you can always add more if you want extra sweetness or fizz. For a fancier twist, stir in a little vanilla syrup. And if you're really feeling bold, top it with a scoop of ice cream and call it a float.

Coffee and cola has made the rounds on TikTok, but don't mistake it for a social media gimmick. It's a legit iced coffee upgrade using two ingredients you probably already have. So give it a try — worst case, you hate it and go back to your usual. And the best case? You've got a new go-to that tastes delicious and can be customized as you please.