Coca-Cola to Launch Its First Alcoholic Drink

We may never get cocaine back in our Coca-Cola, but according to a recent announcement, the soft drink giant will introduce the next best thing in 2018: alcohol.

According to reports, the Coca-Cola Company is planning to launch a “chu-hi” drink, a canned beverage typically made with shochu and sparkling water, in Japan this year. The Coca-Cola mixed drink will rival existing chu-hi drinks from other big producers such as Kirin and Suntory.

The “experiment” isn’t unusual for Coca-Cola’s Japanese arm, CNN says, noting that the company launches 100 new products in Japan every year.

It’s all part of a larger effort for the Coca-Cola brand to expand beyond its soda-centric identity, CNN reports.

Although we’re not likely to see any boozy Coke stocked in American vending machines, James Quincey, Coca-Cola CEO, said (as all CEOs say in this situation), “Never say never.” Here’s to hoping.

In the meantime, take a peek at this bevy of beverages set to launch from Coca-Cola in the U.S. this year.