Italian coffee maker illy and Coca-Cola are creating new coffee drinks in cans. The two companies say they will introduce three premium, ready-to-drink chilled coffee products in several European countries beginning in April and in other parts of the world in 2009.
The joint venture is called Ilko Coffee International, and the first products it plans to roll out are:
- Caffé: Described as “bold, full-bodied character, real Italian chilled caffé.” They claim it’s the first ready-to-drink coffee to offer black (no milk) espresso-based coffee.
- Cappuccino: Described as “intense uplifting aromas of illy espresso, blended with milk and dark cacao.”
- Latte Macchiato: Described as “smooth fresh illy espresso experience, swirled with milk.”
The products will initially be available in Austria, Croatia, Greece and the Ukraine. Additional countries in Europe, Asia, North America, Eurasia and the Pacific are slated for expansion throughout the remainder of 2008 and into 2009, and will be delivered through The Coca-Cola Company system.
‘When we announced the partnership between The Coca-Cola Company and illy a few months ago, we committed to deliver the perfect ready to drink espresso experience,’ said Muhtar Kent, president and chief operating officer, The Coca-Cola Company. ‘Today, we believe we have delivered on that promise with an authentic Italian coffee experience. I look forward to this partnership delivering these great brands across the globe and enhancing our global leadership in the fast growing RTD coffee category.’
Andrea Illy, illycaffé chairman, said, ‘Coca-Cola in its history has invented entire new product categories. illycaffé is the company that greatly contributed to the definition of the espresso category. Together we will redefine how people engage with a ready to drink coffee in order to experience a true small luxury pleasure.’
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