REVIEW: Pepsi ‘Hot’ Chocolate Cola

Marvo Reviews

Pepsi Hot Chocolate Cola Can

Pepsi “Hot” Chocolate Cola was initially called Pepsi “Cocoa” Cola when the online sweepstakes to obtain it was announced. I don’t know if it was a phone call between soda CEOs or a letter from a very powerful law firm that charges per hour what most of us make in a week, but I imagine the name change was caused by something corporate that happened between the soda’s announcement and when these were shipped to those lucky folks who won them.

Also, that name change decision came after the product was produced. Because, according to a Reddit post, if I were to remove the can’s shrink wrapper, the original name is printed on the can.

The soda, formerly known as “Cocoa” Cola, features cocoa flavor with a hint of marshmallow mixed with Pepsi.

I had high hopes for this because the cola producer hit home runs with its recent fruity flavors, like pineapple and mango. (Mini Pepsi Zero Sugar Mango review: it’s my favorite new soda of the year so far.)

Unfortunately, Pepsi “Hot” Chocolate Cola was like a line drive hit that looked like it was going to be a home run but bounced off the outfield wall directly to a gun for an arm outfielder, who immediately throws to second base to prevent the batter, who thought it was a home run and stood in the batter’s box for too long, from getting a double.

The less bloviated, baseball-free version: It’s okay.

Pepsi Hot Chocolate Cola Glass

Its aroma and flavor have a noticeable Tootsie Roll-ness to them. I guess that’s what happens when cocoa flavoring is mixed with Pepsi. The combination did get my brain reminiscing about Chocolate Soldier, a watery chocolate beverage that came in an unusually heavy can that none of my online snacking friends seem to know about. I also don’t taste anything marshmallow-y.

Pepsi “Hot” Chocolate Cola is unique, and if it ends up on shelves this winter, it’s definitely worth a try. But I’m not going to be clamoring for it to be sold during every holiday season like I do with Pepsi Holiday Spice.

Seriously, Pepsi. Bring it back.

Special thanks to my online reviewing friend, The Soda Jerk, for sending me a can of Pepsi “Hot” Chocolate Cola. He reviewed it for his YouTube channel, which you can watch below.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 12 oz can
Purchased at: Received from The Soda Jerk
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 150 calories, 0 grams of fat, 35 milligrams of sodium, 41 grams of carbohydrates, 41 grams of sugar, 41 grams of added sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

22 thoughts to “REVIEW: Pepsi ‘Hot’ Chocolate Cola”

  2. Interesting, explains why Pepsi deleted there original tweet as Pepsi Cocoa Cola, I did not know removing the can’s shrink wrapper, would reveal original can. These just got alot more valuable, they’re just chilling next to my set of moutain dew regional malt from Pepsi’s iconic summer game.

  4. One of the worst sodas I ever had was chocolate (or was it chocolate cherry?) diet Dr. Pepper. And I had a whole 12-pack of that slew to finish . . . .

      1. Egads, how I had to force myself to down can after can of that, er, stuff (I refused to just throw it away, after having paid for it). I had every hope for it, but for me, the idea of chocolate flavoring in a water-based drink just doesn’t work. Glad to see, tho, that *someone* liked it. 😉

        1. I’m sorry that you, and everyone else didn’t love it. If people loved it, it would still be available. I thought it was so good! And this is coming from someone who has always despised Diet Dr. Pepper. Side note, Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar is MUCH BETTER than Diet Dr. Pepper. Thought I should mention that in case you haven’t had it, yet. 🙂

          1. Funny…I hated Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar. I am staying loyal to Diet Dr. Pepper. Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar tasted like flat soda to me.

          2. Thanks. I haven’t found/had Zero Sugar in my area, yet, but I was a big fan of Dr. Pepper Ten (as in, ten calories)–I found it just like regular Dr. Pepper but without the sugar rush and overly sweet-taste (funny how, after years of diet cherry Dr. Pepper and Coke Cherry Zero, the sugared versions taste like they have an overly-sweet, almost sickly-sweet flavor to them, to me.)

  7. I used to enjoy Canfield’s chocolate soda back in the 80’s, but this seems to have a lot more going on (and I don’t think the aforementioned was a cola at all). It’s intriguing, but I don’t hold high hopes.

    1. My dad loved that Canfield’s stuff. As I recall, it was only sold in a diet version. Everyone in the household hated it except for my father.

  9. I wonder how this compares to my all time favorite soda, Canfield’s Diet Cherry Chocolate Fudge? Haven’t seen that in the 21st century.

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