Coca-Cola Blak

I finally managed to get ahold of Coca-Cola Blak, a “carbonated fusion beverage” which comes in fancy glass bottles and looks on the surface to be carbonated coffee. At first you could only buy them in four-packs, and I didn’t think it was worth the effort to spend $10 on something I may not like. Now that I can get them in singles, I picked one up with lunch.
It is 45 calories per serving, which is darn happy when compared to a Starbucks bottled frappuccino (200). The reduced calorie count is due to the inclusion of aspartame. Sigh. Not being an aspartame fan, this got the product off to a bad start with me. The ingredients list is: water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, natural flavors, coffee extract, phosphoric acid, potassium sorbate, potassium benzoate, caffeine, aspartame, acesulfame potassium. I’m really amused by the fact that they have both high fructose corn syrup AND aspartame, and they have not only added coffee extract, but added caffeine. Hmmm.
How does it taste? Well, basically like a coca-cola mixed with coffee candy. The first sip is “mmm… carbonation… coffee, whaaaa?” and then there is a residual mouth feel somewhat smooth like coffee with cream, yet with a taste closer to a coffee candy.
Verdict? After drinking about half the bottle, I’m done. You may like it better. It’s not awful, I’ll give it that. I’m not a coca-cola fan, so if you are, you may enjoy it more. I like the idea, and I like that they tried something new, but frankly I would have been much happier with plain iced coffee in a can. 🙂