Coke with Coffee is (finally) here
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(CNN) Coke with Coffee is finally launching Monday in the United States after being available for years internationally.
The product is made with Brazilian coffee and comes in dark blend, vanilla and caramel flavors. There’s also a calorie-free zero sugar version. Each 12-ounce can has 69 milligrams of caffeine. That’s about half as much as is in a 12-ounce cup of coffee but far more than what’s in a can of Coke.
The new product comes at a time when Coca-Cola is focusing on its core products, including Coke and Coke Zero Sugar. Last year, the company announced plans to cut its portfolio in half and has discontinued brands like Tab and Odwalla to focus on its most powerful ones.
for about $2.32, the company said.
The U.S. is the 50th market to launch Coca-Cola with Coffee, which was first piloted in Japan in 2018. The company says it tailors the recipe in each country to meet local tastes.
It s not the first time Coca-Cola has had a soda with coffee in the U.S. In 2006, Coca-Cola Blak was launched but then was discontinued two years later. Some reviews of the product said the drink had a brutal aftertaste.
Coca-Cola says in its preliminary consumer testing, more than 80% of consumers who tried the new product would buy it.
Caleb Bryant, associate director of food and drink at global market research firm Mintel, told USA TODAY that ready-to-drink coffee is one of the fastest-growing beverage categories and is particularly popular among Millennials and Gen Z. Beverage categories have also been blurring together, Bryant said.
Coke with Coffee: Coca-Cola rolls out new drinks, including a zero-sugar version at stores nationwide Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY
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A combination beverage from Coca-Cola brings a new way to get a caffeine fix.
Starting Monday, Coca-Cola with Coffee and Coca-Cola with Coffee Zero Sugar are available nationwide in ready-to-drink coffee aisles in stores, the company said. The new drinks, which are infused with Brazilian coffee, were first announced in July.
“Many people are often torn between reaching for a soft drink or a coffee at 3 p.m. at work, at school or on the go,” said Brandan Strickland, brand director, Coca-Cola Trademark, in a news release. Now, you don’t need to leave Coca-Cola to get your coffee fix.”