As if we needed a new beverage (Coca-Cola Blak)

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Allow me to introduce you to ::drum roll:: Coca-Cola Blak!

While traveling through our local grocery store last night, we came across a large display of this new beverage. It is sold in packages of 4-8 oz. glass bottles and proclaims itself a "Carbonated Fusion Beverage". Well, at a price of $5.99, it seemed pretty pricey for a mere 32 ounces of beverage. We were looking at it with distrust and amusement when a lady pulled up her cart and announced that it was "absolutely delicious, with a really nice chocolate flavor(???)"! Looking back, I wonder if she was on the Coca-Cola payroll. Still, my wonderful boyfriend gave me the sad, puppy dog-eyed "Can we try it?" look and I couldn't be an ogre, so we tried it.

Coca-Cola Blak is actually a coffee-flavored cola beverage, which, by using a combination of sugar and nutrasweet (like C2) provides a drink that only has 45 calories per serving (one bottle). We threw a couple into the freezer to get them ice cold, then popped them open. Here are my thoughts.

First of all, it is a strange taste. It doesn't really taste like either coffee or coke. The label says that it contains "coffee extract" but as coffee flavor goes, it tasted pretty artificial, almost Kahlua-like. Maybe I've just been drinking too much Peet's lately but it wasn't what I was expecting.

What I did find interesting is that when you pour it into a glass, it develops a head that is very similar to a Guinness Stout and offers the same creamy sort of consistency. Still, there is something about the overall taste that I found yucky. It almost tasted like someone mixed cheap cola, kahlua, and club soda together. The carbonation was more perrier-like, rather than coke-like and it didn't really appeal to me.

Bottom line, I don't think we will be purchasing any more of this designer beverage. While it was nice to have a drink that actually comes in a glass bottle, I still couldn't get over the artificial coffee taste that lingered much longer than I would have preferred. I would suggest that if you have a chance to try this product for free, go for it and see what you think. Don't spend the money until you see if you like it though. All in all, I have to say that I didn't. Today, I will attempt to hunt the shopping cart lady down and give her a piece of my mind.

[bewitched]

Blech!

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Ew. Thanks for the review. I'll be avoiding this. (Or maybe, like a car accident, I'll now feel the need to taste it. Wait. I don't taste car accidents. I'm having a weird day.)

[Matterhorn Fan]

They can't even spell "black" right?

[Freaky Tiki]

I had two sips of it and that was ok....after that....ech! It tasted like crap in a cup sprinkled with coffee grounds. Since I had it at work I just kept topping it off with regular coke from the fountain to thin out the taste. ( I wasn't going to throw it away and waste 2 bucks)

A few people came to my till with bottles of it and asked me how it was. I expressed my dislike and recommended different energy drinks.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

It occurs to me that it reminds me of a drink I once had at a bar called a Colorado Bulldog, which was basically a White Russian with coke added. Both tasted equally rancid but at least one of them gave me a pleasant buzz.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

They can't even spell "black" right?

Blak suks. :)

[scaeagles]

Sounds nasty. I won't be trying it. I saw it advertized on TV sometime ago and it didn't sound too appealing.

I don't like coffee and don't drink it. I haven't had a soda in about 5 years, diet or otherwise (the stuff is death in a can, but that's a different story).

Blah.

[Freaky Tiki]

The thing that really made me angry was that I was really looking forward to it.




*shakes fist*

Damn you Coca Cola!!!

[Prudence]

First they get rid of my beloved Vanilla Coke and then they introduce coffee Coke? What sort of sick joke is this?!

[Ponine]

It was infinatley cheaper at Wal-Mart. I'm saving it for Monday to share with co-workers.

[CoasterMatt]

I used to drink what my friends and I called "Turbo Jolt" - a 20 oz. bottle of Jolt cola mixed with a double shot of espresso.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I wonder what happens if you drop mentos into Coca-Cola Blak

[CoasterMatt]

Or what happens if you drink a bunch of Coca Cola Blak, then swallow a bunch of Mentos?

[Not Afraid]

I'll have a Blak, a box of Altoids and some Pop Rocks please.


Oh, and toss in a bottle of lube while you're at it.

[CoasterMatt]

How do you think I got my avatar? :evil:

[innerSpaceman]

I don't think I'll be having me any 'Blak' - but for the short while Passover still lasts, it's possible to find KOSHER COKE, in bottles with yellow caps ... the difference being - - it's made with Real Sugar!

Mmmmmmmm. Limited Time Only.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I don't think I'll be having me any 'Blak' - but for the short while Passover still lasts, it's possible to find KOSHER COKE, in bottles with yellow caps ... the difference being - - it's made with Real Sugar!

Mmmmmmmm. Limited Time Only.

This, I did not know. There is a major difference between new Coke with high-fructose corn syrup and the real Coke with good ol' sugar. Mexican Coca-Cola is usually made with sugar, btw.

I will keep an eye out for the yellow caps.

[Alex]

I'm hoping that Lani will like this Coke Blak stuff. I despise the taste of the coffee so there's no way I'll drink it.

I try to avoid caffeine (my preferred sodas are orange and root beer which generally do not have caffeine) but ever since Coke Zero hit the market that's always in the house and I end up drinking it because it is here.

[cirquelover]

First they get rid of my beloved Vanilla Coke and then they introduce coffee Coke? What sort of sick joke is this?!


I didn't even know they got rid of vanilla coke! My son will be sad to hear that, I think we have a few cans left maybe I should hide them from the boy and save them for myself:evil:

The coke with real sugar sounds good, I may have to look around and see if I can find some, thanks for the tip.

[Prudence]

I didn't even know they got rid of vanilla coke! My son will be sad to hear that, I think we have a few cans left maybe I should hide them from the boy and save them for myself:evil:


They've replaced it with this black cherry vanilla crap. :(

[mistyisjafo]

Coke has a billion different flavors. It amazes me what people will drink. From what I gather there is even Watermellon and some other odd flavors that other countries enjoy. Not necessarily targeted at the American pallet.

[Tito's Kitten]

I am not sure how I feel about watermelon coke. I am avioding all soda for a while but when I do return to the "elixir of the gods" I will be sure to stay away from this coke blak travesty. Ugh.

[CoasterMatt]

They even have a soda that tastes like asphalt! (Beverly)

[Prudence]

BT really enjoys the Beverly. But he's quite insane.

[Freaky Tiki]

New Zealand has a Raspberry Coke....it was pretty good. I'd rather have cherry though

[Not Afraid]

I LOVE Beverly. I love Campari too (which is just alcoholic Beverly).

[Alex]

Does anybody know if the other coke products available at Epcot are actually sold in the indicated countries?

Vegitabeta, the one from Japan, is not actually available there any more and hasn't been for years (though very similar drinks are on the market).

[alphabassettgrrl]

Blak sounds totally unappealing. In spite of coming in lovely glass bottles.

Cherry, vanilla- oh, definitely my drink of choice.

Black cherry vanilla- good, but I didn't know they had stopped the regular vanilla coke.

Coke with real sugar- the best. The way Coke *should* taste.

[Alex]

The Mexican restaurant near our place sells Coke "hecho en Mexico" which means it uses cane sugar rather than corn syrup. While it definitely tastes different I've never thought it tasted any better (but then I've alway only tolerated the flavor of Coke; put cane sugar in my root beer and maybe then I'll be able to see the improvement).

[AllyOops!]

I'm not a soda drinker..

However, I drink scary amounts of Red Bull. And it's all about Tab Energy, baby (it's fizzy & pink & tastes just like purple grapes!) I'll also drink Rock Star & Monster as well.

I'm addicted to energy drinks. Regular soda is too..fizzy? It doesn't pack a punch. But this new Coke sounds interesting!

Does it pack the energy of coffee? If so, I'll be all over it regardless of taste. I once thought Red Bull tasted like fizzy Robitussin. Now it's all I dream about drinking. Mmm... :)

The way I sound, I'll eventually be reduced to mixing cocaine, Perrier & Capri Sun just to wake up. :(

I'M TEASING!! ;) :p

[Prudence]

Raspberry Coke? Hmmm... It's not fair -the rest of the world gets the cool flavors and we get the crap.

[katiesue]

I'm also a Tab Engery fan - and only 5 calories.

I also still drink regular Tab.

The Blak just sounded gross, nice to have it confirmed without having to be the one who tested it.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Am I the only one who doesn't "get" energy drinks?

[CoasterMatt]

I don't get energy drinks either... either eat right and exercise, or start taking speed if you need the energy boost :p

[Matterhorn Fan]

Black Cherry Vanilla Coke is yucky--a combination of cough syrup Cherry Coke and way too sweet Vanilla Coke. I'd rather have a regular Coke any day.

I've never heard of this Coke with cane sugar. Do they sell it at Mexico in EPCOT?

[CoasterMatt]

Here in L.A., you can get Coke with real cane sugar at Galco's in Highland Park.

[Drince88]

I'm a bit confused on the energy drinks, if they don't have sugar in them. sugar = calories; calories = energy; so how does an energy drink not have lots of calories (due to sugar)?

[Freaky Tiki]

I'm also a Tab Engery fan - and only 5 calories.



A few cans at work froze and exploded which meant I got a free Tab.

It was quaffable yet far from transcendent

[Gemini Cricket]

Blech (reprise)!
:D

[Freaky Tiki]

Raspberry Coke? Hmmm... It's not fair -the rest of the world gets the cool flavors and we get the crap.

I did enjoy it, but as I said I like Cherry better. For some reason whenever I asked someone in New Zealand about cherry coke, they thought it was the grossest thing imaginable.