Picture this: It’s a sunny day, around 11 a.m., and you are desperately wishing for another cup of revitalizing iced coffee. But something that also sounds equally as good to sip on: A cool can of Coca Cola. Well, coming in a 12 oz can that catches the eye with their signature Coca-Cola red coloring, now you might not have to choose. On Monday, Jan. 25, Coca-Cola released their newest product: Coke with Coffee. While this fascinating drink has been available to the public since 2018 in many countries, the company has finally decided to let the United States give it a try.
The beverage comes in three standard flavors: dark blend, vanilla and caramel that “Sips like a coke, finishes like a coffee,” according to the Coca-Cola website. In addition, for all the coke zero fanatics, the monumental soda company is also providing a zero-sugar option for the dark blend and vanilla flavors.
Compared to a regular 12 oz can of Coke, Coke with Coffee has almost double the amount of caffeine per can, reigning in at 69 milligrams versus the classic soda’s 34 milligrams. Based on the dark blend, the refreshment also has significantly less sugar (18 grams) and calories (70) than the original Coke’s 39 grams of sugar and 140 calories.
Let’s talk about the coffee portion. Since this new product hit the shelves three years ago around the world, the coffee is said to be catered to the local tastes of where it is stocked. The canned blend is a mix of regular Coke with “rich and luxurious” Brazilian coffee.
If you’re a religious coffee drinker, this might not make the cut to replace the necessary cup of joe to start your morning. But, if you can’t stop at one, Coca-Cola is specifically targeting the dreaded afternoon slump for this drink. “…Especially in today’s work-from-home environment. We’re fulfilling this need state and occasion in a uniquely Coca-Cola way,” stated Brandan Strickland, the Brand Director for Coca-Cola, on the Coca-Cola Company’s debut announcement of the product.
With the pandemic still a very real presence in the United States, the need for an at-home caffeine boost might be significant for many people who are staying in. Instead of going out to cafés for a pick me up, Coke with Coffee might be a solution, as it can be added to your cart on a grocery run, rather than making a completely different stop.
The taste of this hybrid is something completely innovative, and one that apparently follows through on its promise. According to a Washington Post article, when this refresher hits the tongue, “for the first millisecond…you’d think you were drinking a regular soda…The taste of coffee kicks in at the back end…”
With so many caffeinated beverages to choose from, Coca-Cola found a way to combine the choice of coffee and soda for you, if the situation calls for it. Only time will tell if this product will carry its weight in the United States. Whether you incorporate it into your daily caffeine intake or are simply just curious, this drink is something that we have not seen before.
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Pinterest!