- "Just give me something without any sugar in it."
- —Marty McFly
Coffee was a beverage served at Lou's Cafe in 1955 for 5¢ (or a nickel) a cup. A sign in the cafe had the slogan Our Coffee 'Urns' High Praise, making a play on words from the 'urn' in which coffee is brewed, and the word 'earn'.
Marty McFly tried unsuccessfully to order Tab and Pepsi Free, beverages made with artificial sweetener which did not exist in 1955. When he asked for something without any sugar, Lou Caruthers served him a cup of black coffee, but did not have any Sweet 'n' Low as this would not be introduced for another two years. Marty paid for the coffee with a nickel from the future — and left an extra 46¢ and a guitar pick for a tip.
In 1885, Marty tried to wake up Emmett Brown, who passed out when drinking a shot glass of whiskey, by serving him black coffee at the Palace Saloon. He stopped when Chester suggested wake-up juice.