Coke Retains Crown as Most Popular Soda in the U.S.
For the 20th consecutive year, Coca-Cola has taken the top spot as the most popular soda brand in the United States, according to new data from Beverage Digest. With a commanding 19.2% share of the $97 billion U.S. carbonated soft drink (CSD) market in 2023, the Coca-Cola brand continues to outpace its main rival, Pepsi, which held 8.3% market share last year.
Trailing Coca-Cola in second place is PepsiCo’s flagship cola, followed by Coca-Cola’s Diet Coke and Pepsi Zero Sugar. Notably, Dr Pepper edged into the fourth position, surpassing Mountain Dew for the first time. Owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper reached a 8.3% share—just behind Diet Coke’s 7.8%—as Mountain Dew dropped to 7.3%.
Zero-Sugar Soda Gains Ground
Consumer demand for reduced-sugar and sugar-free beverages is continuing to reshape the CSD category. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar solidified its place in the top 10 with a market share of 4.7%. Pepsi Zero Sugar also experienced growth, surpassing Diet Mountain Dew, signaling a broader trend toward zero-sugar offerings as health-conscious buying behavior becomes more prominent.
This shift presents an opportunity for brands to innovate further in the zero- and low-sugar space, particularly as regulatory scrutiny around sugar content rises and functional beverages gain popularity.
Category Leader with Global Momentum
The continued dominance of Coca-Cola underscores its robust brand equity, wide distribution network, and consistent investment in marketing and product innovation. Despite changing consumer habits and challenges from non-CSD categories such as sparkling water and energy drinks, Coca-Cola remains a cornerstone of the American beverage landscape.
For FMCG stakeholders, the latest rankings highlight the importance of maintaining brand loyalty while responding to emerging wellness trends. The battle for share within the CSD category is increasingly centered on health-conscious innovation and flavor differentiation, with zero-sugar and hybrid functional drinks poised to drive future growth.