The conflict in West Asia, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has led to significant disruptions in aluminum exports, which are vital for beverage manufacturing in India. This has resulted in Diet Coke becoming a rare and highly coveted item, prompting the rise of 'Diet Coke Parties' in which attendees pay for cocktails featuring the drink. As temperatures in India soar to nearly 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit), the scarcity of Diet Coke reflects a broader issue: the aluminum supply crisis is threatening the global energy transition. Aluminum is crucial for electrical infrastructure, and its rising costs—up 50% to around $3,637 per metric ton—are straining efforts to expand clean energy grids. The International Energy Agency has noted that a significant amount of renewable energy capacity is stuck waiting for grid connections, exacerbated by aluminum shortages. With China consuming most of its aluminum production and Indonesia's plans for new smelting capacity becoming uncertain, the outlook for aluminum supply remains bleak, posing challenges for both beverage availability and energy infrastructure development.