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

It hits a certain time in the afternoon and 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. “GenZ 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 - 20:50

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

It hits a certain time in the afternoon and 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. “GenZ 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?