Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola are to go head to head with separate coffee-infused beverages.
Coca Cola Blak, featuring coffee extracts, will be introduced in France in January 2006, and around the world throughout the year. It will contain around half the sugar of regular Coke.
Coca-Cola Company vice president global core brands Marc Mathieu said: "Coca-Cola Blak is not just a flavour extension. We believe we have created a new category of soft drink -- an adult product in a carbonated beverage -- and a whole new drinking experience."
Coke will not be alone, however. Britvic's Pepsi is readying Pepsi Max Cino, a sugar-free, coffee flavoured cola drink with no more caffeine than Pepsi Max.
Britvic's category director Andrew Marsden said: “Pepsi Max Cino fulfils the needs of both consumers and retailers by providing an exciting new outlook on the sub category, whilst maintaining the great tasting, no sugar element.”
Flavoured colas have increased in popularity over the past few years, and now make up around 60% of all sales. In addition, low calorie colas outpace sugar-sweetened brands by 7%.
