Coca-Cola discontinuing new flavor just months after praising it as a ‘permanent’ addition

COCA-Cola is pulling the plug on its Spiced flavor, just six months after introducing it as a permanent addition to its lineup.

The decision comes as a surprise, especially after the beverage giant touted the flavor “permanent,” aimed at attracting younger consumers.

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Coca-Cola said in a statement that the decision is part of its ongoing strategy to cater to customer preferences.

“We’re always looking at what our customers like and adjusting,” the company said.

As part of that strategy, Coca-Cola Spiced will be phased out to make room for a new, yet-to-be-announced flavor set to launch in 2025.

When introduced, Oana Vlad, global brand senior director at Coca-Cola, said, “It’s Coca-Cola with a twist.”

The short-lived Spiced soda was introduced in February with great fanfare.

TRYING TASTE

It blended the traditional taste of Coca-Cola with raspberry notes in an effort to appeal to Gen Z’s desire for bold, punchier flavors.

The company’s marketing research had indicated a growing interest in “spiced” beverages, with raspberry flavor showing strong popularity.

The flavor was selected more than 5 million times on Coca-Cola’s Freestyle machines in 2022.

At the time, the company did not name the spices it added to the drink because “guards its recipes closely.”

FLAVOR FAILURE

Despite these promising indicators, the flavor failed to make the impact Coca-Cola had anticipated.

While the company did not provide specific reasons for discontinuing Spiced, experts suggest several factors may have played a role.

Confusion surrounding the name could also have contributed to the lackluster reception.

Despite its “spiced” name, the drink was not actually spicy, which may have led to mixed reactions and lower-than-expected sales.

REDUCTION FRENZY

The discontinuation of Spiced is not an isolated case.

Coca-Cola has been streamlining its beverage portfolio in recent years, discontinuing other flavors such as Cherry Vanilla and Diet Coke with Splenda, as part of a broader reduction in its offerings.

This initiative began four years ago and has resulted in the retirement of over 200 beverages, including iconic names like Tab and Odwalla.

As consumers continue shifting away from sugary sodas to healthier options like sparkling waters and hydration drinks, Coca-Cola is adapting by expanding its Topo Chico sparkling water line and BodyArmor sports drink brand, per CNN.

While Coca-Cola’s second-quarter net revenue rose 2.9%, sales volume in North America, where Spiced was sold, dropped by 1%, further signaling a shift in consumer behavior.

In the past, Coca-Cola collaborated with Oreo for a limited time.

Plus, fans were left “mind blown” after a new mixer was unveiled in March.