Coca-Cola to launch alcoholic drink

Coca-Cola, a beverage company, says it is planning to produce an alcoholic drink for the first time in the 125 years of its existence.

In September, the West African arm of the company had announced plans of spending $600 million on expanding its production lines.

Peter Njonjo, president of the West Africa operation at Coca-Cola, had said the company wants to be a total beverage company and reduce reliance on carbonated soft drinks.

The planned alcoholic drink, which will be launched in Japan, will contain between three percent and eight percent alcohol by volume.

The drink will be marketed as an alcopop — a term used to describe sweet but alcoholic drinks. Popular examples are Smirnoff Ice and Snapp.

BBC reports that Jorge Garduno, Coca-Cola Japan president, said the drink will be a “modest experiment for a specific slice of our market”.

“We haven’t experimented in the low alcohol category before, but it’s an example of how we continue to explore opportunities outside our core areas.

“It is unlikely the drink would be sold outside of Japan.”

The company is popular for its fizzy drinks but it also produces bottled water.