In a year full of surprise combos (Slurpee plus Drumstick, Coke plus Oreo, etc.), this might be the most confusing of all. At the NACS Show in Las Vegas earlier this month, Coca-Cola debuted the next big summer innovation for the Sprite brand. After 2023’s Sprite Lymonade Legacy (I liked it, personally) and 2024’s Sprite Chill (everyone likes it), we’re getting…Sprite + Tea (what?). And yes, the name is “Sprite + Tea.” I just know someone in marketing fought so hard for SpriTea. It’ll fit great in the “Great Names We Almost Had” Hall of Fame right next to ChurrOreos and Peepsi.
Sprite and tea? Who thought this was a good idea?
Everyone on TikTok, apparently! Last year, the concept of cold-steeping Lipton tea bags in Sprite swept across the platform to the tune of millions of views—and pretty mixed reviews. Cold-steeping is exactly what it sounds like: steeping tea bags in cold liquid instead of hot liquid. Of course, that liquid is normally water. But in this case, it’s lemon-lime Sprite.
So, they’re just bottling tea made with Sprite?
Colorwise, the soda certainly looks like tea made with Sprite, but it’s never that easy. Per the flavor description on the bottle, this soda is “Lemon-Lime and Tea Flavored Soda.” “Tea Flavored” might be the most concerning thing I’ve read on a package since “colorful inclusions.” Much like ordering tea at Cracker Barrel, this soda will be available with or without sugar. You’ll be able to get the full sugar version in both 20oz bottles and 12oz cans, while the zero sugar version will only be available in 12oz cans.
Wait, tea has caffeine. Does Sprite + Tea have caffeine?
Nope! Per the bottle, this soda will be caffeine-free. Even ignoring the fact that people expect caffeine from tea, this is somewhat surprising for a secret extra reason known only by big soda nerds like me! The name “Sprite+” was first used for a line of Sprite products released overseas that did contain caffeine. Sprite+ never made it to the United States, and the reuse of the name for a non caffeinated beverage makes me think that day may never come.
Is this new Sprite flavor going to be limited-time-only?
Yes, but “limited-time-only” in this specific case means five whole months. The full-sugar 20oz bottles will be available from May 19th through mid-August of next year, while both kinds of 12oz can 12-packs will be available from that same mid-May start date through October. I’m counting down the days until I get to find out whether Sprite can go 3-for-3 on their limited summer flavors.
