We Tried Starry, Pepsi's New Lemon-Lime Soda—Will It Beat Sprite? (2024)

We Southerners have been eating cola cake for decades. This easy version has strawberries too. Chill it in the fridge for a dreamy summer dessert. —Peggy Walpert, Fort Worth, Texas

Mexican Shrimp co*cktailIt's up to you how to enjoy this co*cktail—eat it with a spoon as a chilled soup, or use tortilla chips or crackers for scooping. —Erin Moreno, Arcadia, Wisconsin

7UP Pound CakeMy grandmother gave me my first cake recipe—a pound cake using 7UP—which her grandmother had given to her. On top of being delicious, this cake represents family tradition, connection and love. —Marsha Davis, Desert Hot Springs, California

Light and Fluffy WafflesThese melt-in-your-mouth waffles are so tender that you can skip butter and syrup, but why would you want to?—James Schend, Dairy Freed

Coconut Chicken and ShrimpI was looking for a fun, easy weeknight dinner based on our favorite shrimp dish that was healthier than fast food. This has become a favorite! —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York

Root Beer Apple Baked BeansAll nine men in our family love roughing it outdoors. My beans with bacon and apples is a "must " to keep their outdoor energy going. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Pulled Pork Doughnut Hole SlidersThis slider recipe was created by accident when we had a surplus of root beer from a party. Now we can't have barbecue any other way! —Eden Dranger, Los Angeles, California

Cherry Dew DumplingsI’ve never seen a recipe like this one, where filled crescent dough and Mountain Dew are baked together. It’s such a treat. I have to confess, sometimes we eat it for breakfast. —Heidi Swope, Toledo, Ohio

Meat 'n' Potato KabobsThey're summery, but these kabobs really stick to your ribs. A microwave makes quick work of cooking the potatoes, so grilling is done in a flash. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Root Beer Float PieThis is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don't even need to use an oven! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

Root Beer Pulled Pork NachosI count on my slow cooker to do the honors when I have a house full of summer guests. Teenagers especially love DIY nachos. Try cola, ginger ale or lemon-lime soda if you’re not into root beer.—James Schend, Dairy Freed

Cola Hot WingsThese delectable wings are so easy to make, and they offer year-round versatility, from summer cookouts to autumn tailgates. My husband likes them so much he'll stand out in the snow to grill them! —Lisa Linville, Randolph, Nebraska

Sangria Gelatin RingThis gelatin is enjoyed by everyone because you just can't go wrong with fresh berries. —Nicole Nemeth, Komoka, Ontario

Jim's Secret Family Recipe RibsFor more than 30 years, my brother-in-law Jim kept his famous rib recipe a secret. When he finally shared it, we just had to pass it along because we loved it so much. This one's for you, Jim! —Vicki Young, Brighton, Colorado

General Tso's CauliflowerCauliflower florets are deep-fried to a crispy golden brown, then coated in a sauce with just the right amount of kick. General Tso's cauliflower is a fun alternative to the classic chicken dish.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Epiphany HamI wanted to cook a ham but didn't have the ingredients for my usual glaze recipe, so I made substitutions. You can, too! Instead of black cherry, try another flavored soda, or use sweet-and-sour sauce in place of duck sauce. —Edith Griffith, Havre de Grace, Maryland

Root Beer BratsHere's an easy recipe that's versatile, too. Serve the saucy brats over rice for one meal and have them on buns the next. For extra punch, add a splash of root beer concentrate to the sauce. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois

co*ke CakeI get a great response every time I serve this cake, and it seems like I'm forever sharing the recipe! Folks are always curious about the ingredients, and when I tell them the cake has cola in it, they are really surprised. The unusual combination of ingredients makes it moist and delicious. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington

Sparkling OrangesWe were living in Texas when I found the recipe for this simple yet elegant salad. I was thrilled— we had a surplus of fresh oranges! All you do at the last minute is garnish and serve. —Janie Bush, Weskan, Kansas

Cola BurgersA friend who's an excellent cook shared this hamburger recipe with me, and it has since become a family favorite. The unusual combination of cola and French salad dressing added to the ground beef gives it fabulous flavor. The mixture is also used as a basting sauce on the moist burgers.-Melva Baumer, Millmont, Pennsylvania

Tender Barbecued ChickenAfter a long day at work, a slow-cooked meal is a great help. One of my family's favorites is this moist slow-simmered chicken. For an appealing look, choose a darker brown barbecue sauce. —Jacqueline Blanton, Gaffney, South Carolina

Root Beer Float CakeI add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon

Slow-Cooked Pork BarbecueYou need only five ingredients to fix this sweet and tender pork for sandwiches. Feel free to adjust the sauce ingredients to suit your family's tastes. —Connie Johnson, Springfield, Missouri

Sparkling Fruit SaladPineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, strawberries and grapes are treated to a dressing of wine and sparkling club soda in this delightful salad. Serve in dessert dishes or set the whole bowl on the table for a fetching presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Apple Dumpling BakeI received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana

Shredded Beef SandwichesCola is the secret ingredient in this delicious slow-cooked beef. Coated with a well-seasoned sauce, the tender meat gets its zip from chili powder and cayenne pepper. —Marie Basinger of Connellsville, Pennsylvania

Light 'n' Crispy WafflesClub soda gives these crisp waffles a fluffy texture. With only four ingredients, homemade waffles don't get much easier than this!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

Pina Colada Molded SaladMy gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

Hearty Pork ChopsJust six ingredients are required for the tasty mix that marinates these well-seasoned chops. Whip up the combination to marinate overnight, and you'll have dinner on the table in no time tomorrow. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Root Beer CupcakesRoot beer barrel candies and a spice cake-like batter give these cupcakes an old-fashioned flavor. Kids will especially love them! —Dot Kraemer, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Shredded Pork BurritosThis pork roast is slow-cooked with savory and sweet ingredients, including a can of cola, to create tender shredded pork burritos. A tomatillo sauce, made easy with a dressing mix, tops the pork for an out-of-this-world entree. —Katherine Nelson, Centerville, Utah

Pulled Pork TatersThis recipe is as hearty as it gets—part barbecued pork, part potatoes, but completely delicious. My family can't get enough of this comforting, warm-you-up baked potato dish. —Shannon Harris, Tyler, Texas

Pistachio Cake with WalnutsIt didn't take long for this cake from the 1970s to become the favorite birthday cake of my husband, Joe. —Patty LaNoue Stearns, Traverse City, Michigan

Root Beer Float FudgeMy children have always loved root beer floats, so I came up with this fudgy treat just for them. Sweet and creamy with that familiar root beer flavor, it's always a bestseller at school bake sales. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas

Cola BBQ ChickenMy dad has been making a basic version of this family favorite for years. I've recently made it my own by spicing it up a bit with hoisin sauce and red pepper flakes. Sometimes I let the chicken and sauce simmer in my slow cooker. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois

Root Beer Pulled Pork SandwichesMy husband is a huge fan of pulled pork sandwiches, so my sister shared this incredibly easy recipe with me. At potlucks and family dinners, nobody can get enough of this root beer-braised version. —Carolyn Palm, Radcliff, Kentucky

Cherry Cola CakeCherry cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice cream. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina

Barbecue Pork Tacos with Apple SlawWe celebrate taco Tuesdays, so I keep things interesting by switching up the varieties. These pork tacos are super simple to make. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Dad’s Cola BurgersBefore you hand out the drinks, save a little soda to make these delectable burgers. Cola—used in the meat mixture and brushed on during cooking—really sparks the flavor and takes this favorite to a whole new level. —Emily Nelson, Green Bay, Wisconsin. You can even try these off-brand sodas.

Pistachio and Coconut CakeThis coconut cake is good any time of the year, but the color is perfect for St. Patrick's Day. The secret is adding instant pistachio pudding mix into the cake mix and the frosting. —Dora May Meredith, Rockford, Illinois