What is a fridge cigarette? The viral Diet Coke trend explained

It hits at a certain time in the afternoon, when a familiar craving strikes. You walk to the kitchen. The satisfying sound of a can cracking, the hiss of bubbles. It’s time for a “fridge cigarette”—or as you might know it, a can of Diet Coke. Earlier this week, TikTok user @reallyrachelreno posted: “Overheard someone call Diet Coke a ‘fridge cigarette’ and nothing’s been more true to me since.” The video, which has since been viewed 3.5 million times, shows her cracking open a cold one in the sun. The caption: “Time for a crispy ciggy in the summer.” (ICYMI: The term “crispy” is used to describe a Diet Coke chilled to perfection—bonus points if served with pebbled ice and a lemon wedge.) @reallyrachelreno time for a crispy ciggy in the summer @Diet Coke #fyp #dietcoke ♬ Cruel Summer – Taylor Swift For many, the comparison is spot-on. “Wow, that’s so real. It just takes the edge off,” one person commented. “I gauge how hard my day is to determine if I get a little fridge cigarette,” another added. In a follow-up video, @reallyrachelreno cleared up a few things based on the comments. According to her analysis: Diet Coke equals Parliaments, regular Coke equals Marlboro Reds, and Coke Zero equals American Spirits. Any other diet soda equals menthol (disparaging). Full-fat Coke in a glass bottle? That’s a cigar. In recent years, Diet Coke has made a noticeable comeback. Gen Z’s version of the smoke break is the “Diet Coke break.” On TikTok, Diet Coke “recipes” go viral. “Gen Z is obsessed with Diet Coke,” Snaxshot writer Andrea Hernández noted in a recent newsletter. “What is now being dubbed as ‘fridge cigarettes’ has earned a cultural cachet without Coca-Cola having to do anything . . . but focus on delivering on taste and product.” According to Hernández, Coca-Cola has held onto its position as the number one soda in the U.S. by tapping into nostalgia. After all, what captures the sweet nostalgia of summer better than a crisp can of Diet Coke in the sun? @hauskris the @Diet Coke break origin story – y’all aren’t ready for what’s next

Jun 12, 2025 - 22:10

What is a fridge cigarette? The viral Diet Coke trend explained

It hits at a certain time in the afternoon, when a familiar craving strikes. You walk to the kitchen. The satisfying sound of a can cracking, the hiss of bubbles. It’s time for a “fridge cigarette”—or as you might know it, a can of Diet Coke.

Earlier this week, TikTok user @reallyrachelreno posted: “Overheard someone call Diet Coke a ‘fridge cigarette’ and nothing’s been more true to me since.” The video, which has since been viewed 3.5 million times, shows her cracking open a cold one in the sun. The caption: “Time for a crispy ciggy in the summer.” (ICYMI: The term “crispy” is used to describe a Diet Coke chilled to perfection—bonus points if served with pebbled ice and a lemon wedge.)

@reallyrachelreno
time for a crispy ciggy in the summer @Diet Coke #fyp #dietcoke ♬ Cruel Summer – Taylor Swift

For many, the comparison is spot-on. “Wow, that’s so real. It just takes the edge off,” one person commented. “I gauge how hard my day is to determine if I get a little fridge cigarette,” another added.

In a follow-up video, @reallyrachelreno cleared up a few things based on the comments. According to her analysis: Diet Coke equals Parliaments, regular Coke equals Marlboro Reds, and Coke Zero equals American Spirits. Any other diet soda equals menthol (disparaging). Full-fat Coke in a glass bottle? That’s a cigar.

In recent years, Diet Coke has made a noticeable comeback. Gen Z’s version of the smoke break is the “Diet Coke break.” On TikTok, Diet Coke “recipes” go viral. “Gen Z is obsessed with Diet Coke,” Snaxshot writer Andrea Hernández noted in a recent newsletter. “What is now being dubbed as ‘fridge cigarettes’ has earned a cultural cachet without Coca-Cola having to do anything . . . but focus on delivering on taste and product.”

According to Hernández, Coca-Cola has held onto its position as the number one soda in the U.S. by tapping into nostalgia. After all, what captures the sweet nostalgia of summer better than a crisp can of Diet Coke in the sun?