When I first heard about the opportunity to work with the brand Coca-Cola, I was all ears. I’ve been drinking Coke products my entire life. Growing up I remember always watching my grandmother have a Diet Coke as an afternoon pick-me-up. I cherished the few sips she would share with me before I was of age to be allowed caffeine.
Now that I’m a college student, I relate to my grandmother’s choice more than ever. Around two to three PM I’m always in need of a refreshing drink to uplift my mood and energy. Usually, I head to my local Starbucks to grab an iced latte, but I’ve experimented my fair share with energy drinks, kombucha, enhanced sparkling water, and anything else you’d find in a campus convenience store.
Although I’ve tried a variety of drinks, I hadn’t heard or experienced anything like Coke with Coffee before. The idea of combining the classic Coca-Cola with another well-loved, but completely opposing beverage was incredibly intriguing. I was so excited to receive the Coke with Coffee package that I immediately posted a picture of the box on Instagram and popped the cans in my fridge— giving them time to get deliciously cold before tasting.
Once I knew they’d chilled for long enough, I filled a glass with ice and cracked open my first flavor—Vanilla. Similar to a regular Coke, the drink was perfectly carbonated and had a nice layer of foam on the top. The vanilla flavor wasn’t overpowering and blended well with the essence of coffee. Overall, I really enjoyed how lightly sweet it was; the coffee flavor added just the right amount of bitterness to be differentiated from the original Coca-Cola.
Next, I tried the Dark Blend flavor, which I had high expectations for since I almost exclusively drink dark roast coffee. To me, it’s flavor was more rich and intense compared to the Vanilla. There was a stronger presence of coffee this time, but I welcomed it gladly as I took more sips. The only other way I can describe it is that it sips like a Coke and finishes like a coffee.
I proceeded to enjoy tasting the drinks as I worked on homework assignments for the rest of the day and was pleased with how they refreshed my afternoon routine. The excitement of trying something new, along with the unique flavor, was reinvigorating. I would definitely recommend this drink to anyone I know that likes coffee, and I would purchase them anywhere that I got the chance.
Coca-Cola is an iconic and globally admired brand, so I applaud the innovation that they are bringing to the beverage market with this product. I’m also grateful that I was able to try it through this collaboration with Her Campus and Campus Trendsetters! If you enjoy the taste of Coke but want the energy that coffee provides, Coke with Coffee is a great product to try.