Have grocery store shelves looked a little sparse lately? Are you tired of choosing between Coke Zero and regular Coke? Well, we hope you have your Hallmark movie marathon list at the ready—Coca-Cola just announced their newest holiday flavor, and it’s the first one they’ve made in five years. 

Sachin Mittal on Unsplash

Vanilla Makes a Comeback

To be fair, it’s hard to say that vanilla Coke made an official comeback. It’s not that the flavor necessarily went anywhere; it’s that availability has widely fluctuated over the years. It’s pretty rare to spot a case of the stuff on shelves nowadays, but the company has remedied that with their newest flavor: Holiday Creamy Vanilla. 

In a news release, the company itself described the flavor as “a delicious taste of Coca-Cola infused with smooth, creamy vanilla flavors that capture the joy of the season.” It sounds good on paper, but for those watching their calories this season, one little can comes packed with a whopping 42g of sugar (more than a regular can of Coke) and 150 calories.

Luckily, they also have a zero-sugar version, which boasts a guilt-free, zero-calorie refreshment, though it does come with slightly more sodium than its sugar-heavy cousin. Either way, if the healthier stuff is more your speed, just look for the black label over the red one.

Where to Find It

CocaKolaLips on Pexels

As with anything good, this flavor is only around for a limited time. However, you can easily nab it in 12-can cases or as single 500 ml bottles across Canada and the U.S. So far, they’re available in common spots like Sobeys, Walmart, and even on Amazon, but you can also order them online from the company’s website. (If you’re really jonesing for a sugar rush, it’s rumoured that Walmart will exclusively offer two-liter bottles!) 

Desserts to Try This Season

With a little imagination, Coca-Cola is so much more than your average soda. Hungry holiday guests can soak up anything from floats to two-ingredient soda cakes this year, and you only need one can to make it happen. 

If you’ve never had a float before, you’re missing out. And in good conscience, we can’t let you read any further without telling you all about them! It’s the easiest thing in the world to make: just pour a can into a glass, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and add a cherry for garnish. It might not seem like the best wintertime beverage, but trust us, it’s a good option when you’re bundled under all those blankets. 

Of course, no one said you had to stop at liquid desserts. For anyone interested in a classic cake hack, you can swap out your liquid ingredients for a can of flavored Coke. Add it to your cake mix—ideally, vanilla—and follow the instructions on the box for a flavorful dessert that’s way easier to make. It’s also good for anyone in a pinch. 

However you choose to indulge this year, no one would blame you for grabbing a case. Just put a sticky note over the nutrition label and you’re fine.