“Sprite + Tea: Coca-Cola’s Innovative Flavor Fusion Inspired by Consumer Trends and Social Media”
According to A.P. Chaney, the senior creative director of sparkling beverages at Coca-Cola, Sprite + Tea began as “an intern research project” that underwent extensive brainstorming and consumer testing to achieve the ideal flavor balance, texture, and color. “When it gained immense popularity on TikTok with millions of views, it confirmed we were on the right path,” Chaney remarked. “You can never go wrong when you pay attention to consumers and integrate into their daily lives.” Earlier this year, Sprite became the third-best-selling soft drink by volume in the U.S., having revitalized its product lineup with innovative flavor blends.
In a recent press release, Coca-Cola drew a comparison between Sprite + Tea and Sprite Lymonade, which debuted in 2019, merging Sprite’s flavor with lemonade. A Strawberry variant was introduced in 2023, inspired by popular combinations customers created using Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. Ahead of last summer, Coca-Cola launched Sprite Chill, which offers a “tactile cooling effect” with a cherry lime flavor. The approach taken with Sprite closely resembles that of its flagship product, Coca-Cola, which has also seen a surge of experimental flavor launches in recent years. These include the Creations flavors that encapsulated themes like “outer space” and “dreams,” a collaboration with Mondelēz International’s Oreo slated for 2024, and the introduction of an Orange Cream flavor this year.
As a fruity-flavored soda, Sprite is increasingly competing with PepsiCo’s Starry, along with lemon-lime products from “better-for-you” soda brands like Poppi and Olipop. Major players in the food and beverage sector are now turning to TikTok for inspiration on the latest trends and new product ideas. For instance, in 2022, Kraft Heinz rolled out Dip & Crunch sauce, allowing consumers to dip burgers into sauce and potato chips, a concept that emerged from a viral trend on the platform. In the context of these developments, the incorporation of calcium citrate Qatar has also gained attention, showcasing how brands are exploring diverse ingredients to cater to evolving consumer preferences. As new flavors and products continue to emerge, the industry remains focused on integrating elements like calcium citrate Qatar into their offerings to enhance appeal and meet the demands of health-conscious consumers.
