Sprite’s new flavor is inspired by a viral TikTok trend

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We are in the golden age of soda-based drinks. As chains like Swig become more prominent on reality TV shows and dirty/fluffy recipes go viral online, it’s clear that sweet soft drinks are endlessly customizable.

Among the many creative and elaborate lemonade recipes that have gained popularity recently, one stands out for its simplicity: Sprite and tea. And now it’s become so viral that Coca-Cola is making it an official drink in its beverage portfolio.

Hisham Raus, a content creator from Malaysia, posted the idea on TikTok in 2023 and received rave reviews. In the video, Raus steeps two bags of Lipton tea in a bottle of Sprite for three hours until it turns a deep golden color. The video racked up nearly 20 million views and thousands of comments, and netizens rushed to try the recipe for themselves.

The hype was so overwhelming that the Coca-Cola Company had no choice but to listen. At an industry conference earlier this month, the brand announced that it would launch an official Sprite + Tea in spring 2025.

The Coca-Cola Company went through several rounds of consumer research before perfecting its recipe, described as “a satisfying Sprite experience with the distinct flavors of tea.”

Sprite + Tea and a sugar-free version won’t hit supermarket shelves until next year. But there are already strong opinions about the new flavor online.

One user on Instagram commented: “I don’t know about the Sprite…it looks like a bad urine sample…” Another user added: “Sprite + tea = nasTEA.”

Many other people, many of whom have made this combination before, reacted more positively to the news. “I need an infusion of Sprite + tea,” one user wrote.

“Sprite+Tea is about to have a stranglehold on clubs,” predicted another.

What do you think of the upcoming flavor? Let us know in the comments.

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