Source: Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola boss James Quincey first hinted at Costa RTDs in April

Coca-Cola has unveiled a trio of Costa Coffee RTDS, putting an end to weeks of speculation around a move into cans for the Costa brand.

The range comprises Classic Latte, Caramel Latte and Black Americano flavours, and is billed as containing 30% less sugar “than most other ready-to-drink coffees in Great Britain”, with 15 - 108 calories per 250ml can.

The drinks are made with the same Mocha Italia coffee beans used in Costa’s high street cafes, each containing the equivalent of a double shot of espresso. They will roll out across the UK this month, with Poland and China to follow. 

Coca-Cola did not give an RSP, but a spokeswoman said it would be “aligned with similar products on the market”.

The move “demonstrates the power of our partnership”, said Coca-Cola senior vice president and president of global ventures Jennifer Mann.

“It combines the marketing expertise, global scale and distribution credentials of the Coca-Cola system with Costa Coffee’s expertise and capabilities in coffee. The result is a fantastic tasting, ready-to-drink coffee.”

The launch will be backed by a major marketing push spanning out of home, digital, PR and sampling. 

Coca-Cola CEO James Quincy first teased the possibility of a move into canned RTDs for Costa in April, its acquisition by the soft drinks giant having completed in January.

It sparked a flurry of headlines, but Coca-Cola remained tight-lipped on any details until now.

Read more: five reasons why Coca-Cola has bought Costa Coffee