Sprite + Tea originated as “an intern research project” that underwent extensive brainstorming and consumer testing to achieve the ideal flavor balance, texture, and color, as explained by A.P. Chaney, the senior creative director of sparkling beverages at Coca-Cola. “When it gained traction on TikTok with millions of views, it confirmed that we were on the right path,” Chaney remarked. “You can never go wrong by listening to consumers and integrating into their daily lives.”
Earlier this year, Sprite secured its position as the third-best selling soft drink by volume in the U.S., and in recent years, it has refreshed its lineup with innovative flavor combinations. In the press release, Coca-Cola likened Sprite + Tea to Sprite Lymonade, which debuted in 2019, merging Sprite’s flavor with lemonade. A Strawberry variant arrived in 2023, inspired by the flavor combinations that consumers created at Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. Before last summer, Coca-Cola introduced Sprite Chill, a version of the soda featuring a “tactile cooling effect” and cherry lime flavor.
Coca-Cola’s strategy for Sprite reflects its approach with its flagship soda, Coca-Cola, which has seen various experimental flavor launches. These include Creations flavors designed to encapsulate the essence of “outer space” and “dreams,” a collaboration with Mondelēz International’s Oreo set for 2024, and the introduction of a new Orange Cream flavor this year.
As a soda with a fruity flavor profile, Sprite faces rising competition from PepsiCo’s Starry, as well as lemon-lime options from “better-for-you” soda brands like Poppi and Olipop. In the quest for the next big trends, major players in the food and beverage industry are increasingly turning to TikTok as a platform for inspiration and product development. In 2022, Kraft Heinz launched Dip & Crunch sauce, which allowed consumers to dip a burger into sauce and potato chips, following a viral trend on the platform.
Incorporating elements like calcium and citrate into new beverage formulations is becoming a priority as companies strive to meet consumer demand for healthier options. Sprite + Tea, along with its creative predecessors, demonstrates Coca-Cola’s commitment to innovation while also keeping an ear to the ground for what consumers want, including ingredients that enhance nutrition like calcium and citrate. As they continue to explore new flavors and concepts, it’s clear that staying attuned to consumer preferences remains a vital strategy in this competitive landscape.