It used to be that cola flavors didn’t get much more wild than Cherry Coke. Now we have Coca-Cola with Coffee in flavors like vanilla and caramel as well as cinnamon-spiked Pepsi Fire. (Fingers crossed we’ll see it back next summer!)
The latest bubbly curiosity to roll out is unexpected yet seasonal. This past week, Pepsi asked fans on Twitter if they’d like a taste of their latest creation: Pepsi that tastes exactly like everyone’s favorite wintry beverage. That’s right—Pepsi Cocoa Cola!
What Is Pepsi Cocoa Cola?
While this new product introduction is being framed as a contest, the brand announced they would be launching the new flavor in January 2021 if they got 2,021 retweets. (We’re onto you, Pepsi.) However, we have a sneaking suspicion that Pepsi “Cocoa” Cola will be on the horizon regardless of social media success. We’re not the only ones who detect a certain similarity with the name of Pepsi’s rival. Maybe that’s why the soda brand is using quotation marks around “Cocoa.”
What’s sweeter than saying “bye” to the worst year ever? Pepsi “Cocoa” Cola – the latest concept from the Pepsi Test Kitchen.
Want to try and get your hands on it? 2,021 RTs and we’ll make a batch.#PepsiCocoaCola pic.twitter.com/WbZeGDGxVM
— Pepsi (@pepsi) December 17, 2020
The new cola promises to taste like a blend of hot chocolate with a hint of marshmallow mixed with Pepsi for a soda that will appeal to both Pepsi lovers and chocolate lovers. While we can’t preview the taste just yet, we can’t help but wonder how Pepsi has managed to mix in rich, creamy chocolate with carbonated soda. Then again, they’ve surprised us before!
When Can I Find Pepsi Cocoa Cola?
For now, we’re in the dark regarding the exact release date, but we should be getting details soon via the Pepsi Twitter account. Clearly, this is a winter beverage, so we’re guessing the new soda will hit shelves sometime in the first few months of the new year. Once it’s out, it should be available at retailers that usually carry Pepsi products, but likely for only a limited time—that means you’ll have to move quickly for a taste.
We don’t know about you, but we’ve got a hankerin’ for Pepsi “Cocoa” Cola!
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Cola Cake with Strawberries & Cream
We Southerners have been eating cola cake for decades. This easy version has strawberries, too. Chill it in the fridge for a dreamy summer dessert. —Peggy Walpert, Fort Worth, Texas
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
It's up to you how to enjoy this cocktail—eat it with a spoon as a chilled soup, or use tortilla chips or crackers for scooping. —Erin Moreno, Arcadia, Wisconsin
7UP Pound Cake
My grandmother gave me this 7UP pound cake recipe. On top of being delicious, this 7UP cake represents family tradition, connection and love. —Marsha Davis, Desert Hot Springs, California
Root Beer Float Sandwich Cookies
I always got root beer candies in my stocking. The crunch of the sugar on these cookies reminds me of those candies, while the insides are chewy and soft.—Michelle Sion, Darien Center, New York
Light and Fluffy Waffles
These melt-in-your-mouth waffles are so tender, you can skip butter and syrup, but why would you want to? —James Schend, Food Editor, Taste of Home magazine, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Coconut Chicken and Shrimp
I was looking for a fun, easy weeknight dinner based on our favorite shrimp dish that was healthier than fast food. This has become a favorite! —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Root Beer Apple Baked Beans
All nine men in our family love roughing it outdoors. My beans with bacon and apples is a "must " to keep their outdoor energy going. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Pulled Pork Doughnut Hole Sliders
This slider recipe was created by accident when we had a surplus of root beer from a party. Now we can't have barbecue any other way! —Eden Dranger, Los Angeles, California
Cherry Dew Dumplings
I’ve never seen a recipe like this one, where filled crescent dough and Mountain Dew are baked together. It’s such a treat. I have to confess, sometimes we eat it for breakfast. —Heidi Swope, Toledo, Ohio
Meat 'n' Potato Kabobs
They're summery, but these kabobs really stick to your ribs. A microwave makes quick work of cooking the potatoes, so grilling is done in a flash. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Root Beer Float Pie
This is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don't even need to use an oven. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Root Beer Pulled Pork Nachos
I count on my slow cooker to do the honors when I have a house full of summer guests. Teenagers especially love DIY nachos. Try cola, ginger ale or lemon-lime soda if you’re not into root beer. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Cola Hot Wings
These delectable wings are so easy to make, and they offer year-round versatility, from summer cookouts to autumn tailgates. My husband likes them so much he'll stand out in the snow to grill them! —Lisa Linville, Randolph, Nebraska
Sangria Gelatin Ring
This gelatin is enjoyed by everyone because you just can't go wrong with fresh berries. —Nicole Nemeth, Komoka, Ontario
Jim's Secret Family Recipe Ribs
For more than 30 years, my brother-in-law Jim kept his famous rib recipe a secret. When he finally shared it, we just had to pass it along because we loved it so much. This one's for you, Jim! —Vicki Young, Brighton, Colorado
General Tso's Cauliflower
Cauliflower florets are deep-fried to a crispy golden brown, then coated in a sauce with just the right amount of kick. This is a fun alternative to the classic chicken dish.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Epiphany Ham
I wanted to cook a ham but didn't have the ingredients for my usual glaze recipe, so I made substitutions. You can, too! Instead of black cherry, try another flavored soda, or use sweet-and-sour sauce in place of duck sauce. —Edith Griffith, Havre de Grace, Maryland
Root Beer Brats
Here's an easy recipe that's versatile, too. Serve the saucy brats over rice for one meal and have them on buns the next. For extra punch, add a splash of root beer concentrate to the sauce. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Coke Cake
I get a great response every time I serve this cake, and it seems like I'm forever sharing the recipe! Folks are always curious about the ingredients, and when I tell them the cake has cola in it, they are really surprised. The unusual combination of ingredients makes it moist and delicious. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington
Sparkling Oranges
We were living in Texas when I found the recipe for this simple yet elegant salad. I was thrilled— we had a surplus of fresh oranges! All you do at the last minute is garnish and serve. —Janie Bush, Weskan, Kansas
Cola Burgers
A friend who's an excellent cook shared this hamburger recipe with me, and it has since become a family favorite. The unusual combination of cola and French salad dressing added to the ground beef gives it fabulous flavor. The mixture is also used as a basting sauce on the moist burgers. -Melva Baumer, Millmont, Pennsylvania
Tender Barbecued Chicken
After a long day at work, a slow-cooked meal is a great help. One of my family's favorites is this moist slow-simmered chicken. For an appealing look, choose a darker brown barbecue sauce. —Jacqueline Blanton, Gaffney, South Carolina
Root Beer Float Cake
I add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
Slow-Cooked Pork Barbecue
You need only five ingredients to fix this sweet and tender pork for sandwiches. Feel free to adjust the sauce ingredients to suit your family's tastes. —Connie Johnson, Springfield, Missouri
Slow-Cooked Ham
Entertaining doesn't get much easier than serving this tasty five-ingredient ham from the slow cooker. And the leftovers are delicious in casseroles! —Heather Spring, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
Sparkling Fruit Salad
Pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, strawberries and grapes are treated to a dressing of wine and sparkling club soda in this delightful salad. Serve in dessert dishes or set the whole bowl on the table for a fetching presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Apple Dumpling Bake
I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
Shredded Beef Sandwiches
Cola is the secret ingredient in this delicious slow-cooked beef. Coated with a well-seasoned sauce, the tender meat gets its zip from chili powder and cayenne pepper. —Marie Basinger of Connellsville, Pennsylvania
Light 'n' Crispy Waffles
Club soda gives these crisp waffles a fluffy texture. With only four ingredients, homemade waffles don't get much easier than this!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Pina Colada Molded Salad
My gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Hearty Pork Chops
Just six ingredients are required for the tasty mix that marinates these well-seasoned chops. Whip up the combination to marinate overnight, and you'll have dinner on the table in no time tomorrow. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Root Beer Cupcakes
Root beer barrel candies and a spice cake-like batter give these cupcakes an old-fashioned flavor. Kids will especially love them! —Dot Kraemer, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Shredded Pork Burritos
Pork roast is slow-cooked with savory and sweet ingredients, including a can of cola, to create tender, shredded pork burritos. A tomatillo sauce, made easy with a dressing mix, tops the pork for an out-of-this-world entree.—Katherine Nelson, Centerville, Utah
Pulled Pork Taters
This recipe is as hearty as it gets—part bbq pork, part potatoes, completely delicious. My family can't get enough of this bbq baked potato recipe. —Shannon M Harris, Tyler, Texas
Pistachio Cake with Walnuts
It didn't take long for this cake from the 1970s to become the favorite birthday cake of my husband, Joe. —Patty LaNoue Stearns, Traverse City, Michigan
Root Beer Float Fudge
My children have always loved root beer floats so I came up with this fudgy treat just for them. Sweet and creamy with that familiar root beer flavor, it's always a best-seller at school bake sales. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Cola BBQ Chicken
My dad has been making a basic version of this family favorite for years. I've recently made it my own by spicing it up a bit with hoisin sauce and red pepper flakes. Sometimes I let the chicken and sauce simmer in my slow cooker. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois
Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches
My husband is a huge fan of pulled pork sandwiches, so my sister shared this incredibly easy recipe with me. At potlucks and family dinners, nobody can get enough of this root beer-braised version. —Carolyn Palm, Radcliff, Kentucky
Cherry Cola Cake
Cherry cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice cream. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina
Barbecue Pork Tacos with Apple Slaw
We celebrate taco Tuesdays, so I keep things interesting by switching up the varieties. These pork tacos are super simple to make. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Dad’s Cola Burgers
Before you hand out the drinks, save a little soda to make these burgers. Cola helps soften the texture and kick up the flavor. Used in the meat mixture and brushed on during cooking, it takes this football favorite to another level. —Emily Nelson, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Pistachio and Coconut Cake
This coconut cake is good any time of the year, but the color is perfect for St. Patrick's Day. The secret is adding instant pistachio pudding mix into the cake mix and the frosting. —Dora May Meredith, Rockford, IllinoisThe post New Pepsi “Cocoa” Cola Tastes Just Like Chocolate, Marshmallows and Soda appeared first on Taste of Home.
Krista Garcia