Vanilla Coke
May 15, 2002 8:46 AM   Subscribe

Vanilla Coke came out today. Anyone tried it? What's the verdict (besides anti-corporation rants)? This person was underwhelmed.
posted by gazingus (72 comments total)
 
I had some Vanilla coke at a Waffle House, where they mix in the vanilla extract with regular coke, and I liked it pretty well. It gave the Coke a little bit of creaminess and cut the harshness down a little bit. I don't drink much soda, but it seems nice to have another option.
posted by rks404 at 8:51 AM on May 15, 2002


has Lemon Coke Light (diet, I suppose to NA) been released in the US?
posted by pooldemon at 9:09 AM on May 15, 2002


luriete - i'll 2nd that. :)
posted by SpecialK at 9:19 AM on May 15, 2002


Ah for the good ol days of soda fountains. Vanilla cokes when mixed by hand are pretty good. But, based on the sheer horridness of cherry cokes in a can, I'm not sure I really want canned vanilla either. Bleh.

But still, whatever they do can't be as bad as NewCoke was. So, there's that. :)
posted by dejah420 at 9:23 AM on May 15, 2002


I have a hard time imagining how vanilla coke can beat pepsi twist as Best Gimmicky Flavored Cola out there. Pepsi twist rules da school.
posted by andnbsp at 9:26 AM on May 15, 2002


Vanilla Coke is a time-honored tradition in American luncheonettes, diners, and soda fountains and I'm thrilled that they're releasing it as a product. You can still get a terrific vanilla Coke (hand made from syrup and soda) at the Yankee Doodle here in New Haven.

pooldemon- Diet Coke with Lemon has been out for quite a while now, and I think it's terrific, since I always added a bit of lemon to my Diet Coke anyway. I still add lemon to the lemon Diet Coke sometimes, for a lemon extravaganza.
posted by evanizer at 9:37 AM on May 15, 2002


I don't really like cola all that much, but the fountain Vanilla Cokes at the Yankee Doodle in New Haven are killer bee, so maybe I'll give it a shot.
posted by jonmc at 9:39 AM on May 15, 2002


i tried one yesterday. i liked it. atlanta's on the bricks (free summer concerts in centennial park) has now been renamed vanilla coke's on the bricks.
posted by hazelmeg at 9:39 AM on May 15, 2002


Damn you, evan! Great minds, think alike though.
posted by jonmc at 9:39 AM on May 15, 2002


vanilla coke's on the bricks.
Sounds like a put-down.
posted by me3dia at 9:41 AM on May 15, 2002


Terrible website; felt like I was in a web trap on a cheesy porn site, unable to leave. But, to the matter at hand ...

Gather 'round, kidlings ... grampa Ravin's gonna teach ya 'bout the olden days.

I'm very much looking forward to trying it. I'm old enough to remember the authentic old-fashioned soda-shops; the ones with the 5 lb glass mugs instead of those economical waxed-paper cups. (Of course, I guess one could make the case that's why they went out of business in the first place. Everyone I knew had a half-dozen purloined mugs in their bedrooms). Getting shots of various fruits and extracts was the norm, so it's sort of amusing seein' the youngin's oooh and ahhh at this "recent" innovation. (Sidebar: Try a "grenadine Coke" sometime). I even recall a short-lived campaign to attempt to popularize *warm* Dr. Pepper as a Wintery alternative to hot chocolate. (Always wondered what happened to the marketing whiz that came up with that one).

All I can say is that I hope they have it in cans. I'm getting cranky in my dotage and have grown to despise those plasic bottles which lose their coldness more quickly than a Tom Green movie passes through town.

Bring back glass!!!.

Which, in *my* day, we called "crystal pewter" before the Kaiser cornered the market and forced us to drink sody-pop out of squirrel bladders until the invention of Dixie cups, which were originally used by moonshine runners ... but I digress ...
posted by RavinDave at 9:47 AM on May 15, 2002


Vanilla coke cannot compete with fountain vanilla cokes but overall it tastes better than Lemon Coke or Cherry Coke. Now diet Cherry Coke - that just ROCKS! When wil they come out with diet Vanilla Coke???
posted by gloege at 9:49 AM on May 15, 2002


Get ready for Red Fusion, a version of Dr. Pepper with a fruitier flavor, and of course Pepsi Blue, which has its own Weblog.

Also on the way: The lamely named Choglit, Coke's attempt to compete with Yoo-Hoo.

Gonna be quite the summer in the wacky beverage biz.
posted by GaelFC at 9:49 AM on May 15, 2002


Vanilla coke cannot compete with fountain vanilla cokes but overall it tastes better than Lemon Coke or Cherry Coke. Now diet Cherry Coke - that just ROCKS! When wil they come out with diet Vanilla Coke???
posted by gloege at 9:49 AM on May 15, 2002


damnit, I hate it when I double post within a post... no more I say!
posted by gloege at 9:50 AM on May 15, 2002


RavinDave- There was an old tin sign/thermometer nailed to the outside of the barn where I used to have my studio that said "Hot or Cold drink Dr. Pepper". I always assumed they meant 'whatever the temperature outside, drink a Dr. Pepper'. I had no idea they were suggesting heating the Dr. Pepper.

shudder

That's just... evil.
posted by evanizer at 10:01 AM on May 15, 2002


Coke TRIED to distribute samples at a local Jr. Highschool here in Sacramento, but the school backpedaled when confronted by numerous calls by media outlets in the wake of the Childhood Obesity Epidemic...

On the news, however, the principal backpedaled to save face... neglecting to mention that it was originally authorized because Coke contributes a sizable sum of money to the student council...

I wonder who could have spilled the beans to the media... ::whistles innocently::
posted by darian at 10:04 AM on May 15, 2002


Been there, done that. I've been drinking vanilla cokes for years. It isn't something new, just something Coke happened to market for themselves. Lots of places like Friendly's Restaurants have had Vanilla Coke for years.
posted by LinemanBear at 10:04 AM on May 15, 2002


When are they going to come out with Diet Caffeine Free Cherry Lemon Vanilla Coke?
posted by LinemanBear at 10:05 AM on May 15, 2002


Just the word Choglit makes me feel nauseated. That may well be the most disgusting name for a drink ever.

Diet Lemon Coke is incredibly good, even though I normally never let a real lemon get within 50 feet of any soda I happen to be drinking. And Vanilla Coke is yummy.

None are as good as a real vanilla or chocolate egg cream, though. Made at a soda fountain.
posted by iconomy at 10:16 AM on May 15, 2002


I liked New Coke, dammit. Me and like four other people in America.

Diet Cherry Coke does rule, BTW, although it can be hard to find at stores...
posted by mattpusateri at 10:17 AM on May 15, 2002


Just the word Choglit makes me feel nauseated.

I can see the ads now: Be a Chogladyte! Drink Choglit!

chocolate egg cream

Somehow, Lou Reed is behind this.
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:23 AM on May 15, 2002


i like pancakes.
posted by Jeremy at 10:25 AM on May 15, 2002


No love for Royal Crown Cola?? It's damn tasty.
posted by UncleFes at 10:28 AM on May 15, 2002


Speaking of that, do they have Chocadiles in your neck of the woods? (Chocalate-covered Twinkies made by Hostess and produced seasonally)
posted by Ben Grimm at 10:28 AM on May 15, 2002


Diet Pancake Coke, Jeremy? *opening bottle*
posted by dwivian at 10:29 AM on May 15, 2002


Bring back glass!!!

I have the good fortune of living in a hispanic neighborhood, where the stores sell coke frome mexico. not only does the soda come in glass bottles, it's made to a different formula that uses cane sugar instead of corn syrup. wow is that stuff good.
posted by chrisege at 10:34 AM on May 15, 2002


Ah, the Doodle. I miss that place. It also happens to fit in nicely with this thread, since late nights of drug taking were often followed by breakfast at the Doodle. Or at least I used to overhear things like that while I was studying in the library.
posted by chino at 10:48 AM on May 15, 2002


I'm still recovering from Coca-Cola killing Mr. Pibb and replacing it with the stupidly named Pibb Xtra (which supposedly has a "bolder taste" but pretty much tasted the same in my limited sampling).
posted by gluechunk at 10:52 AM on May 15, 2002


The kosher Coke is made from cane sugar, too. Gives it something of a berry edge, just like Jolt, which (at least originally) exclusively used cane sugar, the "all the sugar" part of their original slogan.
posted by NortonDC at 10:53 AM on May 15, 2002


mattpusateri is my new best friend the moment he said: "Diet Cherry Coke does rule, BTW, although it can be hard to find at stores..."

I think you and I are literally one of a handful who like Diet Cherry Coke and yes it is impossible to find. ONE STORE in Cleveland carries it.

ARGGHHH!!
posted by gloege at 11:19 AM on May 15, 2002


...where the stores sell coke frome mexico...
I remember buying a bottle of 7UP in a glass bottle in Mexico and almost weeping as it tasted "just like 1975!" I should probably check the local bodega but I'm ususally preoccupied with buying mango juice, which is basically fruity crack to me. And I've been looking for the vanilla Coke but haven't seen any so far...
posted by kittyloop at 11:27 AM on May 15, 2002


YooHoo, Choglit (shudder), nothing can hold its own when compared to the wonderful Chocolate Soldier, which I've only found at three places in the world. Too bad the bastards changed the label. It used to have some old Nutcracker looking guy on it. But, the Chocolate Soldier is always what I used to get (along with corn nuts) at the old Suprette by my dad's materials testing shop. Great stuff.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:30 AM on May 15, 2002


On a somewhat unrelated note... I've only found Schweppes Rasberry Ginger Ale out here (CA) a few times - is it still around? I hope? Anyone? Anyone? *grin*
posted by thunder at 11:30 AM on May 15, 2002


Graham, I had some Mr. Pibb just this weekend, and it didn't taste dead.
posted by rodii at 11:31 AM on May 15, 2002


I looked for it in a CVS and two corner convenience stores (downtown Pittsburgh) today, with no luck.
posted by darukaru at 11:49 AM on May 15, 2002


My favorite was Diet Cherry Cola Slice, alas it was only a test market product and never made it regular production.

Those wondering about Dr. Pepper clones like Mr. Pibb need go no farther than the Dr. Pepper Clone Page at MSU.
posted by tommasz at 11:59 AM on May 15, 2002


7-Up Gold ruled.
posted by rushmc at 12:00 PM on May 15, 2002


Don't miss Kibo's Fake Dr Pepper Roundup, either.
posted by darukaru at 12:05 PM on May 15, 2002


I am drinking Vanilla Coke right now and I am underwhelmed. How hard would it be for them to just add vanilla to whatever formula they have? Doesn't taste like that's what they did, though... it's almost like they used vanilla in lieu of sweetener, so it tastes to me like a diet drink with a slight chemical aftertaste. Disappointing.
posted by MegoSteve at 12:23 PM on May 15, 2002


Unless it's Crystal Pepsi, I won't drink it!
posted by Succa at 12:31 PM on May 15, 2002


I have a 2 liter bottle of Crystal Clear Pepsi, but I won't sell it to you for less than 100 bucks. Although the carbonation is most likely gone as the bottle is deformed now, and although the adhesive used to hold the label to the bottle has since worn away, (I taped it back on) the seal has never been broken, and the bottle remains unopened to this day. As for RC Cola, what ever happened to their web site at www.rccola.com ???? Anyone know????
posted by banished at 1:22 PM on May 15, 2002


I miss my Crystal Clear Pepsi :( Best. Soda. Ever.
posted by Mach3avelli at 1:31 PM on May 15, 2002


I've been trying to find a kosher grocery in Portland, OR where I can get real Coke and all the stuff I was used to from living just outside of New York, but I can't find -anywhere- that has 'the real thing'.
posted by SpecialK at 1:32 PM on May 15, 2002


Oh yeah, and Sierra Mist is the nastiest tasting. soda. ever.
posted by Mach3avelli at 1:33 PM on May 15, 2002


Ben Grimm, Chocodiles may be coming back on a more national level...I've been documenting it at my site.
posted by GaelFC at 1:40 PM on May 15, 2002


Anything is better than that shitty red Mountain Dew.
posted by McBain at 1:52 PM on May 15, 2002


I drink tea.
I gave up carbonated drinks years ago and it did my teeth a lot of good. Unfortuntealy I take 3 sugars in my tea so my teeth may not be that much better off.
posted by davidgentle at 1:58 PM on May 15, 2002


I tried a Vanilla Coke this morning, just for kicks. Like the bottled Cherry variety, I'll stick with the homemade versions. It's just not on.

(Sidebar: Try a "grenadine Coke" sometime).

I can do you one better -- Lingonberry Coke. Of course, for this, you have to be on the in with someone who works at the snack bar at an Ikea store. Since I no longer have a connection, I'm forced to buy Lingonberry syrup in order to indulge in this occasional treat.

I liked New Coke, dammit. Me and like four other people in America.

I liked New Coke as well. And, I will fully admit, I liked Crystal Pepsi.

And hey, darukaru (I didn't know you were a Burgher) try a CoGos. I found Vanilla Coke at one in Mt. Washington.
posted by Dreama at 2:17 PM on May 15, 2002


You're from Pittsburgh, Dreama? I blogged something(self link) here(May 5th 6:51pm), that should make you happy.
posted by jonmc at 2:32 PM on May 15, 2002


Diet Lemon Coke is incredibly good

If you like furniture polish, I guess.
posted by kindall at 2:45 PM on May 15, 2002


warm Dr. Pepper apparently needs to be prepared only with the orginal cane sugar recipe for it to taste right. sort of approximates a warm amaretto drink.
posted by donkeysuck at 3:00 PM on May 15, 2002


try a CoGos
Passed one on my way home, but by that time I was out of cash. Guess I lose my chance to be an early adopter. ;) Thanks, though.
Sign me up on the list of people who liked, and miss, Crystal Pepsi.
posted by darukaru at 3:05 PM on May 15, 2002


For the record, I bought a Vanilla Coke yesterday. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't special.

I have been drinking some Diet Coke with Lemon that my mother bought a week or so ago. It's pretty gross.

Pepsi Twist isn't bad. I was surprised since I typically favor Coke over Pepsi.
posted by katieinshoes at 3:37 PM on May 15, 2002


I may have a extraordinary tolerance for soda (other than most diet sodas which have taken months of persistence to begin to tolerate) but I have given thumbs up to several of the new flavors listed above. Sierra Mist is not bad especially compared to that swill it replaced Lemon Lime Slice. Lemon Coke is nice, even the Diet version is not bad. And Red Alert Mountain Dew has grown on me. One past favorite (is it still on the market???) Cherry 7up.....mmmm mmmm good.
posted by tdstone at 3:39 PM on May 15, 2002


I am WAY too much of a Coca-Cola fan, as those who know me can verify. But I am trying not to drink it so much now. Several cans a day just wasn't very good for me. So, kicking and screaming, I have been forced to drink diet.

Diet Coke, however, sucks. Not as much as Tab, but it's plain awful. Unless you add a bit of regular Coke to it. Diet Pepsi is far better than Diet Coke, though I don't really like regular Pepsi at all (too sweet, not enough bite). Pepsi One is my cola drink of choice. It does taste slightly less diet than the others.

Diet Coke with Lemon sucks, too, IMHO. Diet Pepsi Twist is good. Regular Pepsi Twist, however, sucks. I don't quite understand it. :)

The only diet drink that I particularly like is Fresca. Fresca rocks -- it doesn't really taste diet at all. Nor does it taste particularly grapefruity, despite the label on the can. It's just citrusy goodness.

All I really want, though, is a Diet Coke that actually tastes like real Coca-Cola. And for Coca-Cola itself to use real sugar and bring back the "bite" it had in the pre-corn syrup days. Is that so much to ask?

tdstone, I saw Cherry 7Up on the shelves here in Seattle just this weekend.

I guess I will try the Vanilla Coke, but by all accounts I'm not going to be thrilled.
posted by litlnemo at 5:55 PM on May 15, 2002


This isn't the first time someone has bottled vanilla cola. Jones Soda has been selling the stuff for years.
posted by Monk at 6:20 PM on May 15, 2002


Diet Cherry 7up and Pepsi One are my diet sodas of choice

Diet Coke with Lemon is ok, but not as good as Pepsi One.

I haven't had a chance to try the pre-made Vanilla Coke yet, but Coke with vanilla extract got me through most of college - quite yummy.

Though, as far as non-diet colas go, I don't think anything beats RC.
posted by antimony at 8:14 PM on May 15, 2002


Sorry UncleFes, but I hate RC. I always felt cheated when I'd go to a place and order a coke and they'd only have RC for cola drinks. It has a weird flat metal taste that I can't abide. Blech.
posted by Lynsey at 8:26 PM on May 15, 2002


Tab is one of God's greatest creations. At first it tastes nasty, but the more you drink it, the more you crave it and love it. I think evil lurks at the heart of that pink can. EVIL I tell you.
posted by evanizer at 8:27 PM on May 15, 2002


I hate RC.

Me too, Lynsey. The only places I've been subjected to it lately have been Chinese and Mexican restaurants that seemed down on their luck and apparently couldn't afford Coke or Pepsi. No amount of ice could kill the unpleasant weirdness.

These days, though, I mostly just drink a tasty beverage known as Waterâ„¢.
posted by diddlegnome at 8:42 PM on May 15, 2002


I hate RC

but...but...it complements a Moonpie so well...
posted by jonmc at 8:43 PM on May 15, 2002


I can't help associating Tab with old-style hair salons, with women sitting under the big space-helmet chairs all in a row. I was emotionally scarred as a child, I suppose.

Now Grape Ne-Hi - there was a drink. At summer camp, it was well known that at least one out of a case had fermented and turned alcoholic. Can't say I remember ever getting one, or hearing that someone else ever had, but when snack time came around we all wanted a Grape Ne-Hi nonetheless.
posted by yhbc at 8:47 PM on May 15, 2002


Whatever happened to Cheerwine or whatever it was called? You know - that cherry red, nasty tasting stuff drunk by many Gen X'ers throughout junior high and high school...

Or maybe it was just me...
posted by gloege at 8:52 PM on May 15, 2002


Now Grape Ne-Hi - there was a drink.

No, no, no, it's the Peach Nehi that rocks the block. Particularly when paired with Cool Ranch Doritos. That was the breakfast that fueled my entire undergraduate career.
posted by Dreama at 9:55 PM on May 15, 2002


If it's anything like Lemon Coke I'll have to pass. Lemon Coke tastes like regular Coke sprayed with Lemon Pledge. I am not exaggerating to make a point. It's brutal, disgusting shit.
posted by L. Ron McKenzie at 10:43 PM on May 15, 2002


do they have Chocadiles in your neck of the woods?

perhaps too much of what follows is a direct result of inhaling various drugs, but...

chocodiles are 39 cents here, and i get three whenever i'm at the local convenience store anytime past 10pm. last night i tried vanilla coke at the behest of the store clerk, and because i was just really confused about camel lights being on sale. nasty washing down the chocodiles, but delicious later on.

buying a bottle of 7UP in a glass bottle in Mexico

i spent my spring breaks all through high school in mexico, and dropped all my money not on beer and tequila and cheap whores, but on the amazing glass-bottled carbonated beverages sold there. they don't have slice or minute maid. instead, it's fanta. mmm. fanta. comes in all kinds of yummy fruity flavors. now sold in america! just down the aisles from the chocodiles!
posted by carsonb at 1:17 AM on May 16, 2002


You can purchase both Nehi and Cheerwine online, if you're so inclined. (PopSoda.com has yet to offer TaB, though. Pity.)
posted by youhas at 2:48 AM on May 16, 2002


I tried to find Vanilla Coke in Seattle last night, but no such luck. *sigh*
posted by litlnemo at 5:51 AM on May 16, 2002


I normally don't drink soda unless it's in a mixed drink, and I barely drink those, but still I'm curious enough to give vanilla Coke a try.

What I'm really lusting after are the new chocolate and peanut butter Oreos. Ohhh yeaaahhh.
posted by NortonDC at 6:08 AM on May 16, 2002


Listen, you want a Tab, you gotta order something first....
posted by werty at 7:10 AM on May 16, 2002


Used to swill a lot of Vess Cola, "the Billion Bubble Beverage". You could get a case of it at the Food Fair in Demopolis, AL for under four bucks. (Tried to find a link, but no luck.) The cola wasn't particularly good (kinda metallic and flat) but the alliterative slogan had me comin' back for more. Plus, what other beverage speaks its name when you open the can? "Vessssssssssss......."

They make chocolate and peanut butter Oreos now? OMG.

*dashing to store in mad haste*

(I should also note that in our state's infinite wisdom, Jones Soda Co. cannot sell "Whoop Ass Energy Drink", because the name is deemed offensive, however, one can go to any bait shop/suckerbait emporium and purchase a novelty item that consists of an empty can of the sort usually used to hold vienna sausages or potted meat food product and marked with a white label "Whoop Ass", thereby enabling one to truly open that proverbial can of whoop ass.....)
posted by BitterOldPunk at 7:34 AM on May 16, 2002


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