Coca-Cola brings viral take on iconic soda to stores

Just because something becomes of viral sensation does not mean it needs to cross over into the real world.

Remember when everyone was taking instant coffee and whipping it into a sort of cream? That was a viral fad that did not need to become something sold in stores.

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There are cases however, we’re viral trends, make it into reality. Starbucks, for example, has brought many items from its so-called secret menu onto its real menu.

This happened somewhat organically. Customers were ordering these items which did not have an official recipe. By adding them to the menu, the chain gave its workers. The tools needed to make them successfully.

These situations rarely happen. But when they do happen, they can be very big.

Dirty sodas, for example, moved from social media and reality TV into a growing trend. A number of coffee chains now offer some version of a dirty soda with a few chains, leaning into it heavily.

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Even McDonald’s has brought items from its secret menu and offered them to fans. It’s a smart strategy because many people want to try these, but don’t know exactly how to order them.

Now, Coca-Cola has jumped on this trend and is bringing a viral hit into stores later this month.

Coca-Cola wants to lean into trends

Coca-Cola has not been shy about trying to have viral success. It has partnered with celebrities like the DJ Marshmello to create new flavors.

It has also used artificial intelligence to create a flavor and seems very willing to introduce novelty sodas just to get some attention

Coca-Cola’s latest flavor, however, may be based on a viral trend, but it’s not a novelty. It seems like a product that has an actual chance for long range success.

Sprite Tea sounds like an unlikely combination. This isn’t something that Coca-Cola (KO) invented, but a trend that truly spread online. 

People took a 20-ounce bottle of Sprite and dropped in two black tea tea bags allowing it to steep for 10 minutes. The combination actually brings out the best in both, tempering the carbonation and sweetness of the Sprite while accenting the tea with the soda’s lemon-lime flavor.

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This flavor has been long in the making as it was first introduced by Coca-Cola at an industry event in Oct. 2024 for a May 2025 release. Sprite and Tea will hit store shelves on May 20.

It will be sold in 20-ounce bottles, cans, and in 12-ounce can 12-packs. The cans will offer both sugar and sugar-free options while the bottles will be sugar only.

Coca-Cola fights for success

Consumers have mixed opinions on soda and have been looking for healthier alternatives in some cases. That has created challenges for Coca-Cola, which CEO James Quincey talked about during its first-quarter earnings call. 

“In North America, we grew revenue and profit and won value share, but we were not satisfied with our volume performance. In addition to challenges with severe weather and calendar shift, volume was impacted by weakening consumer sentiment as the quarter progressed, particularly among Hispanic consumers,” he shared.

There are some bright spots which also show why its important that Sprite Tea is being offered in a zero sugar variety.

“Bright spots include continued volume growth for Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, another good quarter for fairlife and Topo Chico Sabores, and continued traction with food service customer renewals and new accounts. Our system has quickly pivoted to prioritize the most impactful investment opportunities and is emphasizing faster decision making and greater agility to accelerate volume growth,” he added.

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New flavors and brands are also drivers for the company.

“In the U.S., Coca-Cola Orange Cream is off to a good start with approximately $50 million in retail sales during the quarter. At the end of February, we launched Simply Pop, our first prebiotic soda in select locations and channels across the country. We’re excited about our ability to test and learn and scale successes over time,” he shared.

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