Sprite continues its string of successful limited-time-only (LTO) innovations this summer with the launch of Sprite + Tea.

The category-crossing offering blends the crisp, lemon-lime refreshment of Sprite with the classically refreshing flavour of tea. Regular and zero-sugar varieties of Sprite + Tea hit shelves across the United States and Canada and will remain in market through October.

Sprite + Tea is a uniquely strategic, insights-driven innovation inspired by the viral trend of consumers steeping tea bags in Sprite.

“We’re always listening to our consumers, but this particular phenomenon motivated us to explore how we could offer our own refreshing take on tea,” said Kate Schaufelberger, Brand Director, Sprite North America. “Sprite fans love variety, not just in flavour but in the ways we bring refreshment to life through unique multisensorial experiences that stay true to the essence of the brand.”

Coca-Cola North America’s R&D team completed several rounds of consumer testing to fine-tune the formula for the amber-coloured sparkling beverage, striking a smooth and refreshing balance of the complementary flavours.

“The Sprite + Tea concept started out as an intern research project, which is really fun and interesting,” adds A.P. Chaney, Senior Creative Director, Sparkling Flavours North America. “When it blew up on TikTok with millions of views, it was a gut check that we were on the right track. Because you never go wrong when you listen to consumers and tap into what they’re doing by becoming part of their everyday.”

Chaney compared the Sprite + Tea origin story to another hybrid offering, Sprite Lymonade, which was driven by fans mixing their beloved brand with lemonade.

Packaging for the LTO fuses the Sprite logo and signature green with gold and amber accents, dynamic splash graphics and a youthful font atypical of ready-to-drink tea brands.

Sprite + Tea hits the market on the heels of last summer’s hit LTO, Sprite Chill, which became the No. 1 selling sparkling soft drink innovation at Coca Cola in 2024, earning a sustaining spot in the Sprite portfolio lineup.

Flavour innovations are a growth driver for Sprite, which is now the No. 3 sparkling soft drink brand in North America. LTOs present a fun creative challenge for the Sprite team due to limited time in market and the need to communicate multiple messages.

The Coca-Cola Company and Pernod Ricard announced a global relationship to debut Absolut Vodka & Sprite as a ready-to-drink pre-mixed cocktail in 2024.

Absolut & Sprite will be made with Absolut, the international premium vodka, and Sprite, the world’s most popular lemon-lime sparkling soft drink. The pre-mixed cocktail will be available in versions with Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar, with the initial launch planned for select European countries in early 2024, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany.

“We keep consumers at the center of everything we do as we continue to develop our portfolio as a total beverage company,” said James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “We are expanding in the alcohol ready-to-drink space, including products that use select brands from our core portfolio. We are excited about our new relationship with Pernod Ricard and look forward to the introduction of Absolut & Sprite.”

“This very promising and pioneering project brings together two leading companies who are committed to offering their consumers new experiences around premium products,” said Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, a worldwide leader in the spirits and wine industry.

Vodka is one of the most popular bases for alcohol ready-to-drink products, and lemon-lime soft drinks are one of the most popular mixers in pre-mixed cocktails.

“Sprite is a wonderful pairing for Absolut, and I’m convinced that our joining forces will bring the whole alcohol RTD category to the next level,” Ricard said.

Absolut & Sprite ready-to-drink packaging will feature two of the world’s most recognisable global trademarks. Absolut was established in 1879 in Sweden. Since then, it has become a world-renowned premium vodka brand, crafted using the finest Swedish winter wheat. Sprite was established in 1959 in Germany and has grown to be one of the biggest brands in The Coca-Cola Company’s global portfolio.

Cans will include clear responsibility symbols stating that the drink is to be enjoyed only by consumers of legal drinking age. Absolut & Sprite ready-to-drink will adhere to responsible marketing practices.

The global benchmark for alcohol beverage volume (ABV) is 5 % but will vary depending on the market.