I worked in the Special Events department of the Pepsi bottling plant in San Diego during the Pepsi Challenge phase of this cola war. I ran the Pepsi Challenge at the Del Mar Fair and other locations. Pepsi was picked in the blind taste test by a pretty good margin.
I prefer RC Cola.
RC is very good. I tried one in a bottle recently and was very surprised.
1) RC Cola
2) Pepsi
3) Store brand cola
4) Coke, if I have no other choice.
https://youtu.be/XINImbZzU7I?si=KDHvfyNoP1wussVw
I remember those days, I was able to pick which was which every time without even sipping.
Pepsi had more carbonation and would create bubbles in the glass about 20 seconds after drinking the cup.
I told the promoters I was psychic and could correctly predict which was which every time, and then proceed to do it.
they were amazed.
I worked at a DFW soda bottler, and was one of the only departments to sell both Coke and Dr Pepper. Dr Pepper outsold New Coke about 1.5 to 1 after the switch. And the brass was very sure that they were correct about New Coke.
Let’s just say that no one at our facility could believe that we had to push that stuff. It cost us commissions.
When Diet Coke came out, I made it all back in the first month, as people believed that it was made from the original formula. Not that I would ever encourage people to believe whatever made me the most sales ... and I departed on a 40 year sales career.
Keep in mind, this was the same brainiacs that tried three liter RETURNABLES. The bottles were so heavy that one third broke in the grocery stores when dropped. Which happened all the time.