News for people who love both coffee and cola:

Coca-Cola, the world’s most popular soft drink has another innovation coming soon: Coca-Cola with Coffee.

But you’ll have to wait for it.

Coca-Cola with Coffee is currently only available to members of the Coca-Cola Insiders Club*. That’s how we got ours.

If you’re not a member, head to Coke.com/Coffee to sign up, to be the first to know when the beverage will be available for purchase nationwide, in January 2021.

Infused with rich, luxurious coffee flavor, Coca-Cola with Coffee features 69 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce can. It will be available in three flavors:

 
A 12-ounce can has 70 calories and 69 mg of caffeine (a 12-ounce cup of drip coffee has 240 mg of caffeine).
 
 
SO HOW DOES IT TASTE?

We tried the Dark Blend and found it to be as refreshing as conventional Coca-Cola, with delightful notes of coffee on the finish.

We really liked the combination; and would have liked even more coffee flavor.

We hope that Coca-Cola With Coffee takes off big-time. Maybe then, a Diet Coke version will be made?

In January 2021, Coca-Cola lovers will be able to have some coffee in their coke (photo © Coca-Cola Company).

*Unfortunately for those of us who loved it, the Club was discontinued recently. But here are examples of the potential new products that members.

National Piña Colada Day is July 10th, celebrating one of our personal favorite cocktails.

It may be a few weeks past that date, but this delicious recipe has arrived, just in time for a weekend indulgence.

You can see from the photo that this isn’t your ordinary Piña Colada.

Preparing the coconut cream and pineapple into two different layers gives it more eye appeal than any Piña Colada we’ve ever seen.

The recipe was developed by Shanna of Pineapple & Coconut, and shared with us by Kōloa Rum, a dazzling line of artisan rums from Hawaii (here’s our review).

Koloa rums are made in small batches, with pure sugar cane instead of the cheaper molasses used by most rums. It’s a great gift for a rum connoisseur.

Next step: Pick up the ingredients, and get ready to kick back this weekend with a glassful of rum yum.
 
 
RECIPE: GOLDEN PIÑA COLADA

Instead of cutting and freezing fresh fruit, buy frozen fruit, already cut. It saves time and money.

In a perfect world you’d have Hurricane glasses for your Piña Colada (photo #1), but any large glass (ideally 20 ounces) will do.

Select the garnishes that call out to you. One garnish is fine, as are two. Go overboard by combining them all.

Trivia: Piña Colada means strained (colada) pineapple (piña).

Ingredients For 2 Drinks

For The Golden Purée Layer
 
Preparation

 
For The Coconut Purée Layer

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE the pineapple, mango, rum and pineapple juice in a blender. Blend until smooth but still very thick and frozen.

2. POUR into a large jar or other container and keep in the freezer until you’re ready to assemble the drink. Then…

3. RINSE the blender then make the coconut layer. Combine all the coconut layer ingredients in the blender and purée until smooth but still thick and frozen. Add more ice if needed.

4. ADD the golden purée to the glass and tilt as shown in photo #1. Then top with the coconut purée. Leave it as is for a layered look; stir it slightly for a swirled look.

5. GARNISH as desired. Shanna recommends whipped cream sprinkled with a little ground allspice and some freshly shredded coconut. We used a bit of whipped cream as a base for Dang Toasted Coconut Chips.
 
 
> Piña Colada History

[1] A Piña Colada, garnished with whipped cream, allspice and two pineapple leaves (all photos © Pineapple & Coconut).

[2] Tilt the glass to add the mango layer.

[3] Koloa Coconut Rum with an Island Dreamsicle cocktail. Here’s the recipe from Coconut And Pineapple.

[1] Individual chocolate mint cheesecakes (photo © Jennie-O).

[2] Ashlee Marie made her own version of Andes Mints. Here’s her recipe (photo © Ashlee Marie).

[3] Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers (photo © Nabisco).

July 30th is National Cheesecake Day. How about something cool and minty for a hot summer day?

In these mini cheesecakes, chocolate wafers, chocolate chips and mint candy wafers combine for a rich, minty, chocolaty treat.

Prep time for is 20 minutes, bake time is 20 minutes plus cooling in the fridge.

The number of portions will depend on the size of your dishes. It will make 24 small ramekins.
 
 
RECIPE: MINT CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PREHEAT the oven to 325°F. In small bowl, combine the crushed cookie crumbs and melted butter. Press the cookie crumb mixture into bottom of individual small tart dishes, custard cups or ramekins.

2. BEAT the cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl, until blended. Add the egg. Blend in the melted chocolate, chopped candy, sour cream and vanilla. Pour evenly over crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes.

3. COOL and refrigerate until serving. Garnish with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.
 
 
> The History Of Cheesecake