Coca-Cola Spiced looks to disrupt the bold flavor conversation
Although some people might feel nostalgic as they hear a few bars of buying a world a Coke, that classic moment is just one chapter in beverage brand’s history. The emotional, cultural connection of enjoying a drink together is the red thread that connects the past, present, and future of Coca-Cola. With the new Coca-Cola Spiced, the boundary breaking beverage is ready to push drinkers out of their comfort zone and that disruption is what they are craving.
Over recent years, Coca-Cola has innovative its flavors, packaging, and approach to marketing to its customers. From streamlined can designs to making the taste more appealing to consumers, the company appreciates the balance between modernization without alienating the core group that will always choose the red can over the blue one.
As the first new permanent flavor added in three years, Coca-Cola Spiced is unlike other options on the shelf. While there was a cinnamon forward limited offering from Coca-Cola, this concept is not a warm, baking spice mixed into the sweetened soda.
This beverage is a combination of raspberry and spice. Without overpowering the cola itself, the sweet, yet tart raspberry hits first. Then the slow, tingly spice finishes the tasting experience. It is that burst of excitement that leads a person back to take another sip. While satisfying, it is intriguing, too.
Thinking about this launch, the use of raspberry is an interesting choice with a spice. It is not necessarily the most common pairing. While there are various cherry options on the shelf, the raspberry has a little more versatility when paired with a warm spice. In some ways, it feels a little more indulgent. Almost as if this beverage could be the sweet ending to a meal or a little sip of escapism to break up a long day.
Given that Cola-Cola embraces the ideas of bigger and bolder in its willingness to innovate, this flavor captures that sentiment. The real magic to this launch might be the desire to disrupt the flavor trends and strike out in a direction that no one expected. That willingness to embrace uniqueness can resonate with the cultural connection that the brand has fostered.
The new Coca-Cola Spiced hits stores in the U.S. and Canada starting on February 19, 2024. It will be available as 12oz sleek can, 12oz/12pks, 10pk mini cans, 20oz, .5L 6pks, and 2L bottles and Coca-Cola Spiced Zero Sugar will be available in a 12oz sleek can, 12oz/12pks, and 20oz bottles. Check with retailers for availability and pricing.