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 today across Canada and the United States 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.
“Sprite + Tea is designed to reflect the way fans enjoy and remix Sprite by taking inspiration from the social trend of steeping tea in the product,” said Jacques Blanchet, Director of Integrated Marketing for Coca‑Cola Canada. “This new launch reflects the bold and innovative spirit of the brand, while delivering the refreshing experience Sprite fans crave.”
Coca‑Cola’s R&D team completed several rounds of consumer testing to fine-tune the formula for the amber-colored sparkling beverage, striking a smooth and refreshing balance of the complementary flavours.
“The promise of this flavour pairing, which began as an intern research project, was reaffirmed when the trend of steeping tea in Sprite took off on TikTok with millions of views; it was clear there would be interest in a Sprite with the flavour of tea,” added Blanchet. “Matching the flavour preferences of consumers is a focus for us and Sprite + Tea is designed to tap into the excitement for this pairing among fans.”
Blanchet 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 brown 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 secured a sustaining spot in the Sprite portfolio lineup. Blanchet said the team hopes Sprite + Tea will become a year-over-year seasonal offering in Canada.
Flavour innovations are a key growth driver for Sprite. LTOs present a fun creative challenge for the Sprite team due to limited time in market and the need to communicate multiple messages.
“Innovations are at the heart of the Sprite brand and give us an opportunity to take new, bold approaches to our marketing,” Blanchet added. “Sprite has always been tapped into culture, and we’ll keep pushing ourselves to meet our Canadians consumers where they are with innovations like Sprite + Tea.”
Sprite + Tea is manufactured, packaged, merchandised and distributed in Canada in partnership with Coke Canada Bottling.
