Coca-Cola Brings Back 2000s-Era Brand “Coca-Cola BlāK” to Appeal to Gen Z Palates
Coca-Cola is tapping into 2000s nostalgia with the return of Coca-Cola BlāK, its discontinued coffee-cola hybrid originally launched in 2006. The beverage giant is reviving the product to capitalize on Gen Z’s growing appetite for retro branding and crossover beverages.
Set to hit shelves later this year, the reimagined Coca-Cola BlāK offers a modern reformulation with updated flavor profiles and reduced sugar, aiming to attract a generation raised on cold brew, flavored energy drinks, and a fondness for all things Y2K. While the original drink was discontinued in 2008 due to low demand, the company is betting that today’s consumers, particularly those in their teens and twenties, will embrace the novelty of a “newstalgic” sip.
The revival follows a surge in retro brand resurrections across the FMCG sector, as companies leverage Millennial and Gen Z nostalgia to reinvigorate legacy products. This trend has proven lucrative, with re-releases often drawing viral social media attention and strong trial purchase rates. For Coca-Cola, the BlāK comeback is also a strategic play in the competitive ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and hybrid beverage segment, projected to grow at a CAGR of over 7% through 2028, according to industry analysts.
Packaged in a redesigned, minimalist bottle with bold black and red accents, the 2025 iteration of BlāK features a smoother coffee finish and updated sweeteners to reflect today’s consumer preferences. The company has confirmed plans for a limited U.S. rollout, with global expansion dependent on demand performance.
The announcement has already generated significant interest across TikTok and Instagram, platforms crucial for engaging Gen Z consumers. Brand strategists suggest the combination of nostalgia and novelty could grant BlāK a stronger second life, especially if supported by influencer marketing and experiential campaigns.
For FMCG leaders, the revival signals growing opportunities in cross-category innovation and the value of reimagining dormant SKUs for newer, experience-seeking demographics. As the lines between categories like soda, energy, and coffee continue to blur, Coca-Cola BlāK may mark a turning point in hybrid beverage repositioning strategies.