First, there’s the use of filtered water. According to the McDonald’s website, “In order to ensure our drinks are always meeting a gold standard, we filter all the water before it enters fountain dispensers.”

The website goes further to state, “The water and Coca-Cola syrup are pre-chilled before entering our fountain dispensers with the ratio of syrup set to allow for ice to melt.”

This chilling process is critical as it ensures optimal CO2 levels in the drink or high levels of carbonation. This means you are guaranteed to get a bubbly, refreshing sip. Let’s be honest — nobody likes flat Coke.

Finally, there’s the design of the straw size. The McDonald’s website states, “There’s also our straw—it’s slightly wider than a typical straw so all that Coke taste can hit your taste buds.”

Needless to say, tremendous thought and planning goes into ensuring the Coca-Cola at McDonald’s is of the highest quality. As a result, the Coca-Cola at McDonald’s indeed tastes better.