Coca‑Cola Plus Coffee No Sugar Launches in Australia

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Australians can now enjoy two of their favorite tastes together in a single, limited-edition drink. Coca‑Cola Plus Coffee Zero Sugar is now available across the country.

Following the success of last summer’s limited-edition flavor fusion Coca‑Cola Ginger, Coca‑Cola Australia came together late last year to formulate their ideas.

“We know Australians love coffee, so we thought why not give them more of what they want,” brand manager Evgenia Papageorgiou said. “Coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the country. We wanted to surprise them this summer with a new refreshing way to enjoy the taste of their favorite brew."

Coral Colyer, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Manager at Coca‑Cola South Pacific explained that getting the taste right was only part of the challenge for the technical team. They also needed to ensure that the drink was sugar free.

“We know that consuming less sugar is important to a lot of Australians, so we challenged the technical team to come up with the right flavor combination in a sweet, but sugar-free, beverage,” Colyer said.

“The result still has Coke’s well-known taste with mild sweetness and a rich coffee aroma, creating a multi-sensory experience,” she added.

Just as important was ensuring that the coffee flavor was derived from original sources, in this instance 100% Brazilian coffee beans.
 

“We wanted to replicate as much of that joyful feeling of a cup of coffee as much as possible, but with the summer fun of serving Coca‑Cola ice cold,” Colyer said.

Just as important was ensuring that the coffee flavor was derived from original sources, in this instance 100% Brazilian coffee beans.

The Coca‑Cola brand team was looking to surprise Australians with an unexpected pairing. “We weren’t just thinking of that 3 p.m. slump,” said Papageorgiou. “But it could also be an unexpected complement to so many foods, or even an after-dinner treat.”

While the Coke Plus Coffee concept might be a new one for Australians, canned coffee is common elsewhere in the world, especially in Japan.

“Coffee-flavored treats or drinks from Asia are close to my heart,” said Papageorgiou. “I’m excited to see how Australia reacts."

Coke Plus Coffee No Sugar has less caffeine than a regular cup of coffee, but slightly more caffeine than a Coke Classic.

When ased if the new drink will replace her beloved morning brew, Papageorgiou laughed. “I will always have my morning coffee ritual,” she said. “But now I have so many more choices.”