I'll be honest: I drink soda. When I say "drink," I mean "obsessively inhale as much as possible." Due to financial reasons and some heavy lying to myself, I'm not a daily user of this delightful carbonated beverage, but I consume it often enough to have somewhat of an unhealthy dependence on it.

My blood sugar aside, along with drinking a lot of soda, I also drink, or have at least tried, a variety of it as well. A connoisseur of sorts, I most definitely have an informed and thorough opinion on any carbonated beverage I try.

So, without further ado, I've set out, bought a can of the top ten best-selling soft drinks in the U.S. (according to both World's Top Most and Food, Inc.), and tried them. Here is my review and rank of each, based purely on my own opinion (though I may slip in some facts and figures to make it seem more official).

10. Diet Mountain Dew

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As I will most likely mention again in my future points, I strongly dislike diet sodas. Aside from health reasons, I don't know why someone would make the active choice to drink any soft drink and not have any of the benefits with the claim of being more healthy.

It's somewhat like cheating, except your punishment is a lack of satisfying taste and sadness.

Diet Mountain Dew is no exception. It's thought of as the worst diet soda, health-wise, due to its questionable additives and sweeteners, and I would have to state that its the worst, taste-wise, as well. This is my first taste of it, and it has proven that the already bad Mountain Dew can, and has, gotten worse.

9. Mountain Dew

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It should come as no surprise, then, that Mountain Dew quickly follows its diet brother in my ranking. Though it is ranked fourth best-selling in the U.S., it is definitely 9th on my list.

I first tried Mountain Dew in 7th grade, and I distinctly remember describing it as "Sprite on crack mixed with rocket fuel." Needless to say, I haven't tried it since.

One sip has told me that my 7th grade self was right about this. Maybe it's my distaste for Sprite, crack, or rocket fuel, or maybe it's because I'm not a 12 year-old boy out to pull an all-nighter playing Fortnite with his posse. Either way, this isn't a soda I'm likely to go back to any time soon.

8. Sprite

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My dislike for Sprite stems from several things, though not specifically it's taste. First and foremost, Sprite has no caffeine, which is one of the main reasons I drink soda. If I'm drinking something, it's probably either good for me or is going to keep me awake. Because Sprite is/does neither, I've mostly kept away from it.

Additionally, Sprite is supposed to help stomach pains, something my parents definitely knew and put into practice. Whenever my siblings and I were sick with a stomach flu in our youth, my mom and dad would pour a cup of Sprite to help ease our belly aches.

Now, unfortunately, I can't drink Sprite normally without becoming slightly nauseous.

7. Diet Pepsi

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If someone asked me, "What diet soda tastes absolutely nothing like its regular counterpart?" I wouldn't hesitate a second to answer, "Diet Pepsi." I don't know if it's all that diet nonsense messing up the Pepsi flavor, but drinking Diet Pepsi makes me sad.

Also, Diet Pepsi has less caffeine than other sodas. In fact, about eight ounces of Diet Pepsi has about as much caffeine as eight ounces of green tea. Honesty, I would just drink the green tea.

6. Diet Dr Pepper

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Sorry, Lil' Sweet, you can't tempt me to drink Diet Dr Pepper. Similar to my feelings on Diet Pepsi and diet sodas in general, Diet Dr Pepper just doesn't taste as good as the regular.

I do happen to like Diet Cherry Dr Pepper a bit more than the OG, but that's not enough to swing it above others on this list.

5. Diet Coke

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Diet Coke is as close to an exception I will make for diet sodas. While I don't actively choose it, I will wholeheartedly drink it above any other diet cola. Even though it has a completely separate recipe from regular Coke and actually aims to have its own distinctive taste, I think Diet Coke tastes quite like its regular counterpart, which I appreciate in a diet drink.

I've also witnessed several English teachers who are essentially obsessed with Diet Coke, so maybe it's my future career telling me I like Diet Coke above others.

4. Fanta

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Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Fanta had cleared the Top Ten best-selling list. Originally introduced in Naples, Italy, I think it's a unique and interesting soda, and I'll often drink it if I want to change up my routine a bit. It brings back memories of high school pep band, when I would drink Orange Fanta constantly.

Also, I think it tastes like a hyped up orange slushie, which I'm all about.

3. Coke

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The classic Coca Cola. Rumored to be so acidic it can clear battery acid off a car battery, it's still the world's most widely-distributed product. Coke has a unique flavor unlike most dark sodas, and I quite enjoy it.

However, when I drink it, I always feel like I'm on an airplane, because this is my go-to beverage for air travel. Not necessarily a bad thing; though, I do like to feel stationary when sipping on a soft drink. Also, the car battery characteristic is a bit disconcerting.

2. Pepsi

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Yes, yes, I choose Pepsi over Coke. I enjoy the flavor more, and I actually went through a phase in high school where Pepsi was my favorite drink.

Fun fact: In 1975, Pepsi ran a blind taste test where participants chose the best soft drink between Pepsi and Coke. A majority chose Pepsi as the winner.

1. Dr Pepper

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The myth, the legend, the one, the only. Dr Pepper is a staple that has (besides that dark time in high school), and forever will hold a place in my heart and my taste buds. It's distinct flavor is one that no one can rival, and it's legally not a cola, so it can be sold alongside both Coke and Pepsi products.

This makes it so I can satisfy my addiction basically anywhere in the U.S.

Drink on, America, drink on!

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