Coca-Cola is bringing back its iconic soda for the first time in nearly 25 years – we tried it first

No other company makes more carbonated drinks than Coca-Cola. It’s been home to some of the most iconic carbonated beverages for over a century, and shows no signs of slowing down. Over the summer, fans were thrilled to learn that Diet Cherry Coke was coming back for good. Shortly thereafter, Diet Coke Lime hit grocery stores, adding a citrusy twist to our favorite afternoon pick-me-up. Additionally, Coca-Cola has also launched a Cherry Float-inspired soda that combines all of the brand’s best flavors in one sip.

Now, the beverage giant is bringing back the spicy soda that fans have been clamoring for for nearly 25 years, and we’re here to give you an early taste.

The Coca-Cola Company re-releases Mr. Piv

Pibb is officially returning to the store. This popular drink debuted in the 1970s and remained a staple in the beverage aisle alongside its main competitor, Dr. Pepper, until it was discontinued in 2001. That same year, the company launched Pibb Xtra, which boasts a new design and a darker flavor than its predecessor.

However, Pibb’s fans are still waiting for the original version to be revived. And now that dream has finally become a reality. The improved Mr. Piv has all the intense, sweet cherry flavor we love, along with caramel notes and a spicy aftertaste. The reformulated drink contains 30% more caffeine than Pibb Xtra. For reference, this means a new 12-ounce can contains 54 milligrams of caffeine, the same as Mountain Dew.

In addition to updated recipes, the new Mr. Piv also has new packaging. The brand stays true to its original color scheme, adding eye-catching stripes and a bold exclamation point on the Pibb “i.” The company says the changes are meant to modernize and attract new audiences.

“This is a brand that people know and love, but there’s a whole new generation that doesn’t know who Mr. Piv is,” said AP Chaney, senior director of sparkling flavor creative, Coca-Cola North America. “Creatively, the challenge for us was to rely on brand lore and popularity while driving awareness and discovery.”

Allrecipes Senior Editor Courtney Cassel was one of the first to try the revived drink at the 2025 National Association of Convenience Stores Expo and gave her first thoughts on its taste. “It’s definitely sweet,” she notes, adding, “It’s got a big, bold spice flavor that gives you some serious Dr. Pepper value.”

Recently Reddit threadone person called the relaunch “the highlight of the year.” in individual discussionfurther praise poured in for the release. “I had the Sugar Zero and to be honest it might be my favorite Sugar Zero I’ve ever had, but maybe that’s because I didn’t have the sugar version to compare it to,” one user said. “Definitely much better than any previous Dr Pepper,” added another.

Mr. Piv and Mr. Piv Zero Sugar are available in 20-ounce bottles, 12-ounce cans, and 2-liter bottles. At this time, it will only be sold in select stores in Florida, Chicago, Las Vegas, Michigan, and California. However, we can expect a more widespread rollout across the United States in 2026.