Sprite Tea Simply Hit Cabinets, and It’s a Complete Vibe

From TikTok’s “For You” web page to one of many world’s largest mushy drink conglomerates, this beverage combo has captured our consideration.

Sprite + Tea, a brand-new mixture of citrusy soda and traditional black tea, is rolling out to nationwide retailers as we communicate. Beginning at present, you’ll be able to choose up common and sugar-free variations of the beverage wherever traditional Sprite is offered. 

This newest launch isn’t reinventing the wheel, however it actually performs off a fan-favorite customization that’s not too long ago picked up pace on-line.

“The inspiration for Sprite + Tea got here from a latest viral social development — our shoppers had been steeping tea luggage in Sprite bottles to create their very own distinctive Sprite and tea beverage,” Kate Schaufelberger, model director at Sprite, tells Meals & Wine. “Shoppers organically confirmed us this white house, and gave us the launching level to discover how we mix two scrumptious refreshment options and elevate the development to the subsequent stage.”

The candy and citrusy mixture first started trending on TikTok in late 2023. Round that point, Malaysia-based creator Hisham Raus posted a video displaying tea luggage steeping in a Sprite bottle. His video, which reached 17 million views, sparked quite a few different style checks throughout the platform: 

Few good issues appear to final, and sadly, that’s true of Sprite + Tea. 

The latest taste will solely be obtainable for a restricted time this summer season, as Sprite confirms to Meals & Wine. We are able to anticipate to see it on cabinets by way of October of this yr — however within the meantime, Sprite is noting the client reception. In at present’s announcement, Sprite teases that that is the newest in “a string of profitable limited-time-only improvements this summer season.” 

Sprite + Tea truly started as an intern analysis task, as A.P. Chaney, a senior artistic director at Sprite, shares within the press launch. Throughout its improvement, the Sprite group underwent a number of rounds of tastings and shopper suggestions to nail the best taste stability. 

“The product continues to be Sprite at its coronary heart, however we needed to ensure we paid off shopper expectations of mixing with tea taste,” Schaufelberger explains. “It’s the identified lemon-lime citrus and cut-through refreshment of Sprite balanced with traditional black iced tea taste and aroma.”

In the meantime, it seems just like the rollout kicked off early in some states. Trusted meals blogger Markie Devo shared particulars on the drink earlier this month, noting that prospects had already noticed circumstances on retailer cabinets in Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

Whether or not you’ve already DIY’d this beverage or are open to remixing a traditional, this launch is actually one to look at this summer season.