Illinois Among First Markets To Get Comeback Of Popular 53-Year-Old Soda

A beloved soda is coming back, starting with a stop in Illinois.

The Coca-Cola Company has announced that they will be bringing back the now 50+ year old Mr. Pibb.

It's coming back with a new look, a cherry twist (with hints of caramel), and 30% more caffeine than it used to have.

Mr. Pibb and Mr. Pibb Zero Sugar are launching now in Florida, Vegas, Michigan, and Chicago before they roll out nationally next year.

Mr. Pibb was first launched in 1972 and was renamed Pibb Xtra in 2001. Now, due to popular demand, Coca-Cola is bringing it back. According to the company, Mr. Pibb and Mr. Pibb Zero Sugar will be available in 12-packs of 12-oz. cans and also 20-oz. and 2-liter bottles (Mr. Pibb only), at participating retailers.

Dane Callis, Director, Sparkling Flavors, Coca‑Cola North America, said in a press release:

Consumers have been asking for Mr. Pibb’s bold kick of cherry flavor for some time. If you go on Reddit, X and other social media , you’ll find conversations about the mystique of Mr. Pibb. Mr. Pibb has a feisty loyal following, so he’s coming back in a bold, fresh way.

The return of Mr. Pibb comes at an interesting time. Reyes Coca-Cola, a distributor across 10 states, recently lost a licensing agreement to distribute Dr. Pepper. So Keurig Dr. Pepper (who owns the Dr. Pepper brand) is now greenlit to distribute Dr. Pepper through their own delivery system.

There's no word from Coca-Cola on distributors in those affected regions might be offering Mr. Pibb as a replacement for Dr. Pepper.