Pepsi/Twitter
No, that's not some strange Coca-Cola and Pepsi crossover. Instead, it's Pepsi's new chocolate-flavored soda, "Cocoa Cola!" See just how well chocolate, marshmallow, and cola go together.
Chocolate and Soda?
Pepsi/YouTube
Although the name's clearly a take on their biggest competitor, Pepsi promises that their chocolate soda, Cocoa Cola, will not taste like anything you've had before! The soda makers announced the sweet concoction in late December of 2020. "What's sweeter than saying 'bye' to the worst year ever? Pepsi' Cocoa' Cola - the latest concept from the Pepsi Test Kitchen," Pepsi wrote on all their social media platforms.
Soon, the internet was abuzz with questions. Would it taste like a candy bar or a hot chocolate? Would it even come with little marshmallows? Soon, Pepsi revealed some more details about Cocoa Cola: it will come closer to a soda version of hot chocolate, except cold, and will have hints of marshmallow, but not marshmallows in it. All that, mixed with the great taste of Pepsi that consumers have grown to know and love. With that, the soda makers signed off.
"There is nothing more classic than hot cocoa on a winter day, but this year has been anything but typical," Todd Kaplan, Vice President of Marketing at Pepsi, said in a statement. "So why not bring together the delicious taste of a Pepsi with the delicious, wintery taste of chocolate and marshmallow and bring some unexpected joy to our fans this season?...If our fans tell us they want Pepsi' Cocoa' Cola, we will deliver! We'll whip up a limited run batch later this winter, similar to our previous seasonal innovations like Pepsi Apple Pie."
Kaplan finished by saying, "We are confident we nailed Pepsi' Cocoa' Cola and can't wait to get this in the hands of cola fans this winter." However, the reactions to the cola have not all been fantastic...
Reactions to Pepsi's Cocoa Cola
Pepsi/Facebook
Some view the announcement of Pepsi's Cocoa Cola as something of a bummer, as they were hoping for Holiday Spice Pepsi, a cinnamon variety, to return. "I'd rather you brought back Holiday Spice Pepsi every year, to be honest," said user johnbirchman, summing up many's feelings.
Meanwhile, given its comparison to hot chocolate, some are confused about how to consume such an odd drink. "Is it like.....an actual soda you drink cold? Or will it be one that you can heat up, like actual cocoa?" wondered Viperphoenix1.
Still, the biggest fans of the Pepsi brand are sticking by the soda giant. "I'm everything pepsi, cups, shirts, you name it. This right here. Next to my current favorite berry pepsi is a dream. Now please don't tell me we can't have this to look forward to as a positive with all that has been negative this year. #cocoapepsi2020" wrote DevinnKress.
With the flavor set to debut this year, it will undoubtedly be fun to watch if the flavor pans out the way Pepsi wants it to!
Sources: People Magazine, The Today Show
