Coca-Cola is introducing a new Mr. Pibb Bold Kick of Cherry, which features "a sweet cherry flavor with hints of caramel and a lingering spicy finish." The soft drink will be available in retailers nationwide in early 2026.
A bottle of Dr. Pepper next to a bottle of Mr. Pibb, formerly Pibb Xtra.

Mr. Pibb is making a comeback.

The Coca-Cola Company announced on Oct. 31 that it is reintroducing Mr. Pibb, 24 years after discontinuing the brand in favor of Pibb Xtra.

The revived Mr. Pibb will include 30% more caffeine than Pibb Xtra, according to a news release. The soft drink is also getting a new slogan, "Bold Kick of Cherry," for its "intense sweet cherry flavor with hints of caramel and a lingering spicy finish."

"When Mr. Pibb first launched, the packaging didn’t tell consumers what it was – it told them what it was not. Not root beer, not cola," Dane Callis, Coca-Cola Sparkling Flavors director, said in a news release. "It's something unique and original, a bold rebel in a category of norms. Nothing fans know and love about Mr. Pibb has gone away, but we took steps to modernize its look for new consumers’ tastes and preferences."

When will the rebranded Mr. Pibb be available?

Mr. Pibb and Mr. Pibb Zero Sugar are now available in Florida, Chicago, Las Vegas, Michigan and California markets, according to Coca-Cola. A national rollout of the rebrand will start in early 2026.

Mr. Pibb and Mr. Pibb Zero will be available in 12-ounce 12 packs and 20-ounce bottles, the company said. Mr. Pibb will also be available in 2-liter bottles.

The breakdown: How is Mr. Pibb different than Pibb Xtra?

In addition to more caffeine, the revamped Mr. Pibb features 10 more grams of sugar and, therefore, more calories. Here's a look at what makes Mr. Pibb different than the Pibb Xtra currently on shelves:

Can't see the table in your browser? Visit infogram.com/1pp9jez2xqdmenurgq7rmlyd0qhzlx37m9q.

When did Mr. Pibb go away?

Mr. Pibb was first introduced as a competitor to Dr. Pepper in 1972. At this time, the soft drink was called Peppo. But that same year, Coca-Cola rebranded to Mr. Pibb after Dr. Pepper sued the parent company for trademark infringement.

In 2001, Coca-Cola discontinued the Mr. Pibb brand, replacing it with Pibb Xtra. The revamped soft drink was marketed as having stronger cinnamon and cherry flavors than its predecessor.

Although the Pibb Xtra name has remained for the past 24 years, Coca-Cola started using the "Mr. Pibb" name in marketing in recent years to garner support from the soft drink's top fans.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mr. Pibb is back. Coca-Cola rebrands soda 24 years after it was discontinued.

Reporting by Greta Cross, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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