Coke with Coffee, Anyone?

I would almost always want a Coke in the morning. But I love coffee too. 

And so, I’m heartened to know that starting Monday, Coca-Cola with Coffee and its Zero Sugar counterpart are available nationwide in ready-to-drink coffee aisles in US stores. The new drinks, which are infused with Brazilian coffee, were first announced in July. 

And I’m told in forty-nine other markets too – although as Coca-Cola explain, different countries get different versions to "meet local tastes". 

Originally launched in Japan in 2018, the new US version is billed as a beverage that "sips like a Coke and finishes like a coffee" – and just like a trip to Starbucks, Coca-Cola with Coffee is offered in multiple varieties. 

Coca-Cola with Coffee Dark Blend (which is basically the "plain" option) can also be purchased in a Coca-Cola with Coffee Zero Sugar version. A Vanilla variety is available as both regular and Zero Sugar. And then, finally, you can also find a Caramel version – but only with sugar. 

All five varieties contain 69 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce can. That's double the caffeine of a regular Coca-Cola, but still about half of the caffeine in a 12-ounce cup of coffee (depending on the brew).

And just in case there are health freaks amongst you, please know that most adults can safely take in 400 mg of caffeine per day. This is the approximate equivalent of either 4 cups of coffee or 10 cans of Coke. 

Of course, you’d expect cynics to ask if people actually want a mix of cola and coffee? The concept is far from new and struggled to catch on in the US. 

In 1996, Pepsi Kona was trialed unsuccessfully, with even Pepsi calling the short-lived coffee-cola hybrid "ahead of its time". Americans weren't ready in 2006 either when Coca-Cola Blak was released and disappeared within just a couple of years. Even last year, Pepsi took another stab at mixing cola with coffee: Pepsi Café. Yes, Pepsi billed the release as a limited run, but the brand has given no indication that it's coming back. 

I just know I gotta try it! In fact, I want it!!