11/4/05 | Vanilla Coke : You Will Be Missed
[ Currently Eating: Patty Melt With Cheese ]
[Ed. Note: Earlier, someone created a petition to bring back vanilla coke. Well, yes it seems to have come back (no need to write in to tell me!)… I’m going to close comments on this post for now, unless they decide to take it away again. Remember, I wrote this post in 2005. Thank you all for commenting.] We now interrupt your regularly scheduled Cheap Eats candy birdwalk programming to bring you this news: the Coca-Cola company is planning on phasing out Vanilla Coke at the end of 2005.
This is sad! Vanilla Coke, I hardly knew ye. Coca-cola brought it to market in 2002 along with Diet Vanilla Coke a year later. They did this pretty good marketing push, I remember I was eager to try it even before it was out. But now they say the sales are slipping. So where did all the Vanilla fans go? Could they really have gone over to the “dark side” which is of course Pepsi (a much hated drink around Cheap Eats).
I always thought Pepsi was lame because they were asked what they thought of the new flavors (vanilla / lemon / lime) that Coke came out with, and I remember a marketing bigwig (now fired most likely) saying “Oh, that’s not going to have ANY affect on the market. No one’s going to buy THAT.” Then a few months later they came out with those flavors of Pepsi! Lame.
While we normally don’t give a dang about name brand soda at Cheap Eats, Vanilla Coke totally kicked ass. It wasn’t as cloyingly sweet as normal cream soda. For awhile there, it was actually somewhat difficult to find at stores, at least on sale. We contented ourselves with picking up Vanilla Coke Fridge Packs for $3 each at Target whenever it cycled around to being cheap. I didn’t stockpile any Vanilla Coke, though you can be sure that I’m going to go out soon and load up the SUV.
At least Coke with Lime is still around. Interestingly, they are apparently going to replace Vanilla Coke with Black Cherry Vanilla Coke. Huh?? What makes them think that a more specific, derivative flavor of Vanilla Coke is going to do any better than the original?
I’m actually planning on starting a campaign to bring back Vanilla Coke, yessiree. We will rise up as a nation of one and petition Coca-Cola to stop the Madness. Well, at the very least, you can be sure that our next Cheap Eats Poll will be about Vanilla Coke…
Cheap Eats Score: 9/10 (For Vanilla Coke itself)
Cheap Eats Score: 2/10 (For them taking it away)
November 5th, 2005 at 12:55 am
At 7-11, I’ve been digging the vanilla syrup I can add to my Big Gulp. So I can get 32 ounces of vanilla Coke, vanilla Pepsi, or vanilla Mountain Dew.
November 5th, 2005 at 1:12 am
That’s funny - in the UK I’ve actually seen Lemon coke being reduced - i think they’re trying to do away with it. Lime coke is pretty popular. I wonder if they’ll discontinue the vanilla here too!
November 5th, 2005 at 10:14 am
marvo - If we somehow recover from mourning the loss of Vanilla Coke, I’ll have to head around the block to the 7-11 to see about that vanilla syrup. Is that free if you buy a drink?
rhiannon - actually, I think the article I read said that Vanilla Coke was originally ONLY going to be discontinued in the U.K. They made that announcement early next week, and then this week decided to can it (no pun intended) entirely. I like Lime coke so I hope they keep it, though I wish they would increase the “lime-iness” a bit.
November 6th, 2005 at 12:49 am
Yup, it’s free. There’s also a lemon and cherry syrup, but I don’t think you can add all three together.
November 6th, 2005 at 10:07 am
ah, you said the magic word - free. Now I have to go down there and check it out!
November 7th, 2005 at 11:29 am
Yep, I’m a big fan of the Diet Vanilla Coke myself. If it goes, I guess I could just add add a drop or two of vanilla extract to a regular diet Coke. You know, like they did in the olden days when I was a kid and places actually had soda fountains.
But as for the other flavors of Coke (all I drink are the diet varieties) the Lemon tastes like ass, but the Lime, not bad at all.
ALSO, we got a few samples with our Chicago Tribune the other day, and Splenda is now marketing little single-serve tubes of sweetener in Lemon, Peach and Vanilla Bean varieties.
Peach Coke! You heard it here first! I hereby copyright this idea!
November 7th, 2005 at 12:12 pm
peggasus - I know diet sodas and Splenda in soda and other beverages are really popular right now and many people love them, but I just cannot STAND any type of diet drinks. I had that problem since I was a kid, especially when they were heavy handed on the artificial sweetener. I know it’s better nowadays. About Peach Coke - Ok I will give you that one. But I copyright Pineapple Coke! =)
November 7th, 2005 at 3:52 pm
*sad*
November 8th, 2005 at 4:32 pm
I apologize for two crabby posts in a row, but why Vanilla Coke and not Coke with Lemon. It is like drinking Lemon Pledge Coke. I do remember liking Vanilla Coke, though.
November 8th, 2005 at 5:28 pm
Bingsy - I don’t think I’ve had Coke with Lemon before… is it Diet only? The Lime Coke is pretty good though… a little subtle though.
November 9th, 2005 at 8:52 am
It appears that they are also discontinuing the Lemon Coke as well, and are replacing the items being phased out with Black Cherry Vanilla Coke (both original and diet varieties) which will be released in early 2006. Sounds promising, kind of a rip off of Dr. Pepper’s Cherry Vanilla drink, but that’s alright by me
Source: www2.coca-cola.com/presscenter/newproducts_black_cherry_vanilla.html
November 9th, 2005 at 9:46 am
sunny - yep, I saw they were replacing it with Black Cherry Vanilla Coke. That is a bit weird to go from Vanilla to Black Cherry Vanilla. I’ll definitely give it a try though.
November 10th, 2005 at 3:52 am
i think vanilla is q uite good and it is very sad to hear that vanilla coke will soon be out of the market
November 10th, 2005 at 9:59 am
blue berry - yeah, you’re preachin’ to the choir here. =) maybe they’ll bring it back if we start up a petition…
November 11th, 2005 at 10:06 am
Sounds like you LIKE Vanilla Coke um..so why did you only rate Vanilla Coke 2/10????
November 11th, 2005 at 11:24 am
jack - oh, I guess that was a little confusing. I meant that them TAKING AWAY Vanilla Coke was a 2/10. Meaning I really didn’t like them taking it away. I’ve clarified it…
November 12th, 2005 at 2:27 pm
How old are you people? It is just a fricking soda!
November 12th, 2005 at 3:29 pm
dorothy - well, if I don’t have my Vanilla Coke in the afternoon, i get kinda cranky. =) It does wonders for helping the burps come out…
November 16th, 2005 at 7:12 pm
dorothy probably gets those white cans that say ‘SODA’ on them.
*shudders*
November 30th, 2005 at 2:22 pm
I love the smooth taste Vanilla Coke and will probably (sadly) fall back on regular Coke. I also find it laughable that they are going to add additional flavors such as Black Cherry Vanilla Coke as they phase out Vanilla Coke. I doubt very much that Black Cherry Vanilla Coke will last more than year.
November 30th, 2005 at 4:42 pm
Oikhall - Yeah, I have my doubts about the Black Cherry Vanilla Coke. I really like black cherry soda, but I’m not so sure if the general population is so hot on that idea.
You know what would be totally awesome: if Coke would do beta testing by sending cans of the new stuff to all the food product reviewer blogs. I think they should, the power and influence of blog reviewers is pretty hot right now… and that means free soda for me! =)
December 19th, 2005 at 12:25 pm
I am deeply saddened to hear that Vanillia coke is going. I know this is crazy but I’m practically in tears over it. I like regular coke okay, and will probably go back to that if I have too, but I don’t overly care for Black Cherry and when they came out with the vanillia heck it’s all I buy. I’m not talking small lots either I’m talking nearly 20 cases a month for the family and there is only two of us.
I am personally so deeply disappointed, you better believe as soon as I can I’m going to spend as much as I can and stock up!
I don’t see why they cannot keep it on the market it’s rather stupid to take it off becuase of the new product but then again that’s the stradagy…which really sucks……anyway thank you for letting me rant and rave I am so deeply hurt.
Kim
December 19th, 2005 at 2:23 pm
kimariaus - 20 cases! That is a lot of vanilla coke. I just went out and bought 2 fridge packs at the local Sav-Ons which is all they had left. I am thinking of making a run on all the local supermarkets and buying enough to get me through the rest of the year. I’m not sure if the average consumer knows it is going away which is probably the reason that I still see it at the supermarkets…
December 28th, 2005 at 12:04 pm
I am so sorry to hear you are all upset! My husband works for Coca-Cola and he wasn’t pleased either about the decision to phase out Vanilla Coke. But trust me…there are TONS of other surprises in store for you coke fans…in a few short weeks, you will be amazed
December 28th, 2005 at 12:51 pm
cokewife - er… is there a possibility you could give us any preview hints on what’s going to be released? Also, see my comment above about the possibility of Coke doing Beta Testing with bloggers… maybe put in a good word for us? =)
January 17th, 2006 at 6:53 pm
No more vanilla coke? I’m going to have to hang myself now, I can’t live without my daily fix of VC, and I can’t find it anywhere!!!
January 17th, 2006 at 9:14 pm
peaches - yep, it’s supposed to be done with as of this month. I bought two fridge packs worth a few weeks ago. I have noticed it is getting more difficult to find now. Wait a few more months and you’ll probably start seeing it on Ebay…
January 20th, 2006 at 10:42 am
They could have at least warned us! I would have stocked up. I will support any efforts to bring back vanilla coke!
January 20th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
pzeller - well, they did release the info about it being discontinued… but it was VERY quiet. I guess companies don’t usually put up flashy press releases on products being discontinued. =) On a brighter note… I just picked up a case of Black Cherry Vanilla coke at Target the other day and will be putting up a review soon!
January 20th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
I love VANILLA COKE is my love of my life. And there taking it away.
That was me and my girlfriends, best drink. We have had some great moments with VANILLA COKE. To bad its ending once we finish what we have left.
January 26th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
Good Evening Everyone,
Yes you heard me right, smiles gently rl. I usually go through about 20 cases a month between the two of us. One of the biggest reasons I enjoy the VC is the fact that it is smoother and not as much acid tasting as regular but another reason if you look in the ingredients they don’t add an additive called potassium like Pepsi does along with many other brands like Sam’s choice from Walmart etc.
In either case there was a comment made why are we upset with regards to losing VC? For me personally it’s more then just soda. It’s a health issue and I know I’m going to have many drs shaking their head, but honestly I am hypoglausemic (sp? Low blood sugar) and I use the soda to raise my sugar quickly when needed. I haven’t found any that raise it as quickly as Coke and or VC and frankly VC don’t give me the heartburn at times for the need to drink it quickly at times like coke does.
This is why I’m so upset over it, I’ve been using the VC for medical reasons now for a long time. As I said I can probably have a lot of Drs shaking their heads hearing this but they don’t know my body as I do and NO it’s NOT PSYCOLOGICAL. It’s been a proven fact many of times and noted by my family members of the difference from my down times without it to my times with it.
I can’t explain why VC does what it did but it does. Anyway sorry for making this so long but I wanted to answer that question as to why some are so upset, this is just my own personal story.
Take care everyone
Kimariaus
January 26th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
casey - i read your post too quickly, and i thought you were saying that Vanilla coke was the love of your life AND your girlfriend…
kimariaus - that’s a pretty interesting story, thanks for sharing it. I would have never thought that there’d be an actual reason to drink that much soda!
January 29th, 2006 at 1:12 am
Personally I only liked vanilla coke when it came out of a fountain and not the can. It wasn’t strong enough for my liking.
I prefer pepsi because its a bit sweeter than coke and then adding my own vanilla or cherry syrup to it-perfecto.
If I drink coke then I have to add a splash of sprite to get it to its desired sweetness. I normally don’t care for sweets though. Go figure.
Not sure about the black cherry vanilla thing. I can’t get with lemon or lime in regular soda unless its the real thing. I guess I love me my fountain sodas over the canned.
BTW, has there ever been a poll-coke or pepsi?
January 29th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
katya - I do like the fountain sodas too. There is a diner sort of closeby to me that has great cherry coke as a fountain drink and I usually get that. It’s also refillable which is nice. Here is the previous Coke poll.
January 30th, 2006 at 9:12 am
I’ve started a website to petition the Coca-Cola Company to bring Vanilla Coke back. Vanilla Coke is my favorite drink, and I was very sad to see them discontinue it. If anyone is in a similar boat, I’d encourage you to go to the website and sign the petition.
I’m also interested in publishing comments on the website about why people are unhappy about VC being discontinued. If you’d like to share your perspective, please go to the site and submit a comment. Thanks!
January 31st, 2006 at 7:00 pm
I am going to DIE! I loved and swore by Vanilla Coke–it was so perfect! It will be so freaking missed by me. I tried Black Cherry Vanilla–tastes interesting, but I love Vanilla Coke more. I’m behind you all the way on creating a petition to bring it back. Email me at theryguy@optonline.net to give me more info to get involved. I’m seriously obsessed.
February 1st, 2006 at 3:18 pm
OK, I tried the Black Cherry Vanilla Coke. It’s OK, but it just isn’t Vanilla Coke.
Oh well, you know what they say, “Tis better to have loved and lost…etc.”
February 3rd, 2006 at 5:20 pm
I’m still in shock! I cannot believe that they are removing an item of this caliber after just a couple of years. My generation, the “Baby Boomers”, grew up on vanilla cola. I do not know now how I will satisfy my addiction for Vaqnilla Coke! LEAVE ON THE SHELVES!
February 4th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
Good evening everyone,
I just tried the VCBC, and it seemed okay at first, but as I continued taking in the portion recommended serving size, I found that I was disliking it more and more.
I found that as I drank more or it I felt like I was drinking a container of warmed cherry icing. Or warm cherry icing that has melted on a cake.
This is I can honestly say very putrid. It’s way too sweet, great for kids I assume many would like this taste because of the hideous sweetness.
Sorry just not my cup of coke like the rest of you I too want my VC back as well not this over glorified glad of putrid tasting liquid. What more can I say?
Always
Kimariaus
AKA
Kimberly
February 11th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
Oh my god, I was wondering why I couldn’t find my beloved vanilla coke anywhere, and then I found this post just now… I honestly cried out, and my parents asked me what damage I had inflicted on myself. I’m so devasted!! I must run back to the store and horde as many bottles and cans as still exist! I would be 110% with you if you started up a petition or something to bring it back. This crappy “black cherry vanilla” thing is such crap, I hate it! Augh!!
February 14th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Hi! Please tell me how to get involved! I want Vanilla Coke BACK NOW! That black cherry crap is just that. EWWWWW. I have like 4 cans left..Im dying…and guess what…Im pregnant..and I CRAVE VANILLA COKE!!! Thats why Im so obsessed!!!!!!!
February 14th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
OK everyone… here is the direct link to the Vanilla Coke petition that was started by Tom Warsaw above. I originally didn’t leave the link in because it was going to another site and I’m very picky with any links in comments on the Cheap Eats Site. This goes straight to the petition: Save Vanilla Coke Petition
February 24th, 2006 at 6:07 pm
In spring of 2006, Coke will be comming out with coffee coke.. it sounds gross when you first hear it, but the taste tests went over really well, and people love it… I personally am excited about the arrival of this fusion of two delicious caffinated drinks.
February 27th, 2006 at 7:24 am
That coffee coke sounds horrid, and you know what I find really screwed up? The fact they are coming out with all these weird flavors and yet they haven’t come out with something like that of the old fountain Egg Creme or like Shasta did with the fudge soda.
Personally as I said prior I don’t mind them coming out with new sodas but the ones that are popular like the VC they should have left alone….
Kimariaus
February 27th, 2006 at 8:05 am
kathleen - I am not yet convinced on the coffee and coke combo… it would be really cool to be able to take part in these “taste tests”, though. I really think Coke should start focusing on letting review sites (like Cheap Eats) have a crack at the new products. =)
kim - I’m tending to agree with you… but I need to try it first.
March 8th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
Ai I can understand that about trying it first. Infact the egg creme doesn’t sound too bad but sighs I’ve missed my VC so much I’ve cracked open my last can tonight, and the stomach problems I’ve been having the last few days has all been settled now via that one can, Shrugs go figure….
Kimariaus
March 16th, 2006 at 4:58 pm
I’m also starting a campaign to bring back Vanilla Coke! I’ve already made a few promo images and have more planned. I’d like to join forces with you!
Check it out!
Let me know. Thanks! Feel free to post any of these on your blog or wherever for that matter.
April 10th, 2006 at 2:33 pm
I love vanilla coke. In fact, about 4 months ago, there was plenty of it in Jersey City/New York area. Around that time my friend told me that soon, I would be forced to drink Pepsi. I laughed and told him, “this is America, the land of choice.” Sadly, he was right. As of today, I have not found one vanilla coke on store shelfs. (Luckily, I stashed away a few cases!) Die Pepsi… die… coke prohibition, thats what this is.
April 11th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
I’ve been pretty mad over the last few months about Vanilla Coke being phased out. If anyone starts a petition or anything involving Vanilla Coke, email me at gotmilk16@gmail.com. I am also planning on sending a handwritten letter to Coke about Vanilla Coke, not that it will do any good, but you never know. Please, email me if you start something, I really want Vanilla Coke back, and I’ll do just about anything.
April 12th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
kim - I have 2 cans left. I’ve been thinking of holding a drawing and giving the away on Cheap Eats actually…
mike - see the petition at top of page, I didn’t start it though…
gromek - hm… i am thinking of checking out my secret source, though I doubt they have any left.
gotmilk - see the above petition as well, or maybe contact Mike above.
April 12th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
To whoever is starting campains please leave your campain websites! I want Vanilla Coke back too! We must fight ! Everyone come together and storm CocaCola in Atlanta!
April 20th, 2006 at 6:42 am
I am so upset that Coke discontinued Vanilla Coke. When it first came out and had my first can, I loved it, it replaced my regular Coke Classic.
I use to go through a 12 pack every week or so.
About 3-4 weeks ago, my wife started having trouble finding it and then over the past 2 weeks couldn’t find it anywhere. I did a little online search and found out the bad news.
I know it’s all about money, but instead of killing it off, why not make it a seasonal item, I’d stock up for sure!
I just bought a 12pack of VC off of Ebay the other day for, ready for this, $21.00 shipped. I plan on keeping a few full cans as a memory and keep the remaining empty cans and box too.
I know Coke put out an “Official” statement that says that it’s on Hiautis (sp) and they are looking at ways to bring it back. What the heck does that really mean?
I have been making my own “Vanilla Coke” at home:
(1) 12oz Can of Regular Coke, add (2) TSP of vanilla syrup
For the most part it tastes the same, but in the back of my mind, it’s not the real thing.
COKE, PLEASE BRING BACK MY FAVORITE SODA, VANILLA COKE!!!
Bill
April 21st, 2006 at 4:33 am
Good morning everyone,
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and that’s becuase of the pain I’ve been in due to my health.
I will say this as I said before. again I believe VC helped me quite a bit, as it stands due to the items I have to take for meds and the coke normal flavor I now drink wel it’s just not the same and the acide is bothering the stomach more.
anyway take care and keep on pushing, I want the pedition just as much as anyone else. Good luck
Kimberly
May 7th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
how can u get rid of Vanilla Coke I LOVE THAT STUFF…..WELL IF U DO AL LEAST GIVE IT ALL TO ME CUZ I REALLY DO LOVE THAT STUFF WITH A PASSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 12th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Bill - They are indeed looking for ways to bring it back. The Coke company is testing it on fountain in certain parts of the country to monitor its consumption in those areas. They’re only doing it in a few select store chains, though. The only two I know of for sure are Shell gas stations and Subway. Everyone go to all of your local Shell stations and Subways and see if they’re testing it in your area. They aren’t testing it in mine (Central AR), but I went to Dallas, TX last week and they had it there. It’s even better on fountain than it is in a can/bottle. I’m obviously not talking about Coke mixed with vanilla syrup, I’m talking about the real Coke brand Vanilla Coke. I sure hope this goes nationwide and stays.
September 4th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Black Cherry Vanilla Coke tastes like cough medicine, and Cherry coke, For some reason since they changed the look of the bottle, tastes like crap. Vanilla coke was the best product coke has ever made, and they took it off the market!
December 8th, 2006 at 5:22 pm
I’ve been looking all over the place for vanilla coke. The only place I can find it is at chuck. e. cheese. Black cherry vanilla doesn’t taste as good in my opinion. Where is this petition I read about?
January 28th, 2007 at 4:31 am
the only place to get a cup of vanilla coke where i live is about a 4 - 5 hour drive from where i live. which makes me envy the people living over there. i just might have to move over there.. i use to be drinking that stuff everyday since the 3rd week it came out till they discontinued it now i switched to classic and to tell the truth here im getting sick of it. from time to time it taste flat to me. gosh im pathetic, im sitting here bloging about how much i want some vanilla in my coke XP err hope vanilla coke has a place in the future for me =/
March 21st, 2007 at 5:36 am
I just went to a service station in johnsonville wellington after my nightshift job and bought 2 600ml bottles of coke of which had a prize game to win sony mp3 players no luck on prize.But boy do i love the taste of vanilla coke i suppory your blog and its 2007 and its still around.Reminds me of vanilla esense i used to sniff as a kid when mum and gran were baking.
April 15th, 2007 at 1:56 am
omg omg i found this and its like 2 years old or somthing and now im leaving a comment one night i miss VC again….
it was truly my favorite drink along with apparently alot of people as i read all the comments and are amazed people feel the same way i do about it 
I plan on doing somthing about it as well and are going to fill out the petion i read in this page. Was it only 2 years it was out for??? that was not nearly long enough. Oh and the BCVC is not the same at all it is crap pretty much. And i also read about the Black Coke, i do actualy like that stuff. but it doesnt mean i dont want VC back, BRING IT BACK!!!!
June 2nd, 2007 at 2:03 pm
its back