Coca-Cola Blak
Coca-Cola has announced a new beverage that will debut in France in January 2006. It’s called Coca-Cola Blak, and it is a strange hybrid soda-coffee concoction. Carbonated coffee? Well, no thanks. Who knows, they could have pulled it off, but my gut reaction is, “WTF?”
According to Coke, it “has a rich smooth texture and has a coffee-like froth when poured.” Lest you think they got it right, it’s being marketed as a “mid-calorie beverage,” meaning it has the same sweetening structure as Coke C2: Half high-fructose corn syrup, and half Splenda. I’m not sure many of you experienced the tastebud travesty of C2, but it wasn’t pleasant. I hope they didn’t do the same thing here.
Since it isn’t actually available yet, I only have estimates at the caffeine content. Best guesses put it at 68mg for 12 ounces, about double a normal cola. I’ve put this number into The Caffeine Database and, of course, you can off yourself with Blak on the Death by Caffeine calculator.
If anyone has actually tried this, let everyone know how it tastes.
UPDATE: Estimates were correct (except that bottle size is only 8oz). Coca Cola Blak has 46 mg caffeine per 8oz bottle.
77 Comments
My thoughts after my first bottle:
1. It tastes too much like a diet soft drink, first of all. I didn’t even know it had aspartame when I drank it, but one of my first comments to my colleagues was, “It’s got that diet aftertaste.”
2. The coffee flavor sucks. It may be OK for people who like instant coffee, but if Coke wants to win over Starbucks customers, the coffee flavor should have been much higher quality.
3. Too sweet. Believe it or not, there is a large population who likes black coffee, red wine, dark chocolate (not together, mind you). Sweeter is not always better.
Three strikes - you’re out! I will not be buying this drink again.
I agree that the price is outrageous. I paid $1.59 for an 8oz bottle - never again.
The taste is OK - it seems like it’d be great with a shot of something in it…like raspberry vodka or something.
Love the stuff ! Would like to know where I can oerchase it in Atlanta area
I used to buy it in Atlanta at the Kroger on Howell-Mill & I-85. Now it’s spot on their shelves is stocked with something else. I wonder where else I can get it too; it was the perfect way to start my day.
I love the stuff! I sip a bottle when i want a lift.
I also think it tastes great and i hate diet pop.
It gives me a nice pleasant lift without feeling like i’m plugged into a light socket.
in north ohio i get a 4-pak at giant eagle for 4 bucks, and i,d pay it anytime compared to other drinks i’ve tried.
I surelly guess a larger bottle (16oz.) with the same pricetag would have been a bigger hit.
I love it-try this
pour it over vanilla ice cream
but I want to know how much
caffeine it has
and
I do think it is over priced
tried it a few months ago and find I really like it, though I prefer mixing a bottle of Blak w/ a 2 liter bottle of diet cola. I’ll still down the 8 oz straight from time to time. likely won’t be available forever, and I’ll be a sad, sad man the day it’s inevitably pulled from the shelves.
not the best tasting (was not that good or that bad it was so so in taste) drink ive ever had but had a good caffeine buzz to it.
This stuff is incredible! I just found this page looking for the caffeine amount cuz i thought it was strong! It tastes amazing and love the buzz.. Wish it was available in 12 ouncers and cost a lot less, would buy a tone more if it cost less… BLAK
Does anyone know if this (AWESOME) Coke Blak is being discontinued? Save the Coke Blak, or send them all to me if you think they are that bad. I already have a supply (bought out all the local stores had). Even got the Coke Blak shirt. Save Coke Blak!
Is Coke Blak being discontinued ? My local Bel Air is no longer stocking it and I really like the stuff ! Can anybody enlighten me ?
I am a vendor and I have access to tons of Coke Blak…I am selling it cheaper than the stores. $4 per four pack. Give me a shout: youngthom@hotmail.com
After a dramatic price reduction, Coke Blak isn’t in my local Target, Kroger, or local convenience store any longer. Has it been discontinued? Say it ain’t so!
COKE BLAK IS THE BEST TASTING ENERGY DRINK ON THE MARKET. I USED TO BUY IT WHEN I LIVED IN FLORIDA BUT IT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN BUFFALO N.Y.
I seriously love Coke Blak. I will be crushed if it is discontinued. It is just the right amount of caffeine and calories. It is not so strongly carbonated as regular soda, which I can’t tolerate because of a sensitive esophagus. It is refreshing, and gives a boost without too many calories. I would really like to try the French version too, which I hear is less sweet and has more coffee. Does anyone know whether the French version is available anywhere in this country? I would order the stuff by the case if so!
I wrote to Coke and asked them… They didn’t answer if it was being discontinued. I’d stock up if I were you…
Coke writes….
Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company, Mr. *****. We are glad to hear from a fan of Coca-Cola Blâk and apologize that you have had difficulty finding it in your preferred packaging.
Regarding availability, local bottling companies choose which brands to sell and the size of the packaging that will be available in their territories. These decisions are based on consumer demand and other market factors. We believe they are in the best position to make those decisions.
Janice
The Coca-Cola Company
Industry and Consumer Affairs
(read the complete letter on my site)
i also wrote to the Coke company and did not get an answer. has anyone heard what the deal is?
It’s not discontinued. I just picked up a 4-pack at Target today.
Bought a single Coca-Cola Blak at my local Walgreens drug store for $.99 . Not sure how much it was when it first started, but the caffeine jolt isn’t that strong. Oh Well.
Inside source tells me that Coke Blak goes out of production in 11/07. Sad but true.
Does anyone remember pepsi kona? it came in a bigger bottle, and was more affordable then this stuff ever was…
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE COKE BLAK. IN THE PAST THREE DAYS, I HAVE BEEN TO FIVE STORES IN THE MEMPHIS AREA LOOKING FOR IT. I CAN’T FIND IT AND AM IN A PANIC. PLEASE DON’T DISCONTINUE IT. I LOVE THE TASTE AND THE CAFFIENE RUSH. I HAD TO SUBSTITUTE TAB ENERGIE WHICH PALES IN COMPARISON. I SHALL CONTINUE MY SEARCH TODAY. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN ORDER IT ONLINE, PLEASE RESPOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Coke Blak, but having a much harder time finding it. I’ve driven 2 hours to buy every bottle on the shelves of a Walmart near someone I know. (I bought a cart full) But we’re down to 12 bottles.
Recently the CVS pharmacies in Central PA are selling it by the single bottle.
$1.59 each, but it’s all I can find. Have tried coming up with a suitable alternative, have been mixing regular coke with a good quality brewed coffee, but just can’t get that wonderful taste.
Coke has turned us into junkies!!
Super Walmart stores (the large ones that include full grocery departments) seem to stock Blak at a very fair price.
For the adventurous: you can mix up a VERY close imitation of Blak for yourselves with Autocrat coffee syrup and club soda.
(Autocrat is very popular here in New England, used mostly to make coffee milk. Autocrat and Eclipse I believe are the same product, from the same factory in Rhode Island. They have a web site. Their syrups are usually in the coffee aisle in a market.)
I am not sure precisely what the ratio of syrup to soda should be- but you can vary it according to your own taste. Mix up all you want for pennies!
we were in france when it came out lived there untill may ..too bad… love the stuff ..it’s evewrywhere..but in america “wwhat’s the deal” hard to find…another racist problem?
not a coke drinker but liked this when in France. Any where in Britain to buy it.
Having increasing problems finding Coke Blak in Florida. Was told by the manager of the Sweet Bay supermarket that it was no longer being manufactured. SAY IT ISN’T SO!!!!!!!!!
I just read online that Blak is being discontinued in the US and Canada in early 2007. Since we’re in mid-2007, I guess we all have to start hunting it down in every store in our neighborhoods. I picked up 3 4-packs today myself!
Just when they bring back my Vanilla Coke, they have to go and get rid of my other love. Grrrrr…
I didn’t really like the taste it tasted like it’s name! “BLAK!”
I first came across, thkis wonderful drink in Mt Clemens Michigan, I love it . I l oved everything about it. I live in Buffalo NY and would be happier than pigs in —- well we all know , but please don’t dicontinue it. Just send it to my house if you really have to much left over. A few months ago I bought 36 bottles for back home.
Jenn
Just found four 4 packs of it tucked away behind red bull packs. they must have been sitting there since their last shipment. hahah i bought all 4 for around a buck a bottle. I’m pretty sure that most stores are now dried up. sorry coke blak fans. they still appear on eBay as does Pepsi kona but those cans are rusty by now.
I love coka blak. I was in Target the other day and picked up a 4 pack. Never tried it until then, fell in love with it. I brought the last 4 packs today. Sorry to hear that the Coke Company is discontining it. Maybe those that love it can petition them to keep it.
I Love this stuff.I got to have it everyday!But It’s a required taste….I like it!Is there anyone who agrees with me?
I luv this stuff. Its really different and I mix a little 1/2 and 1/2 with it. Its great. wish I could find it some where.
It tastes like skunk diarhea strained through sweaty nylons.