ATLANTA -- The Coca-Cola Co. is adding to its lineup of flavored colas this month with the addition of Orange Vanilla Coke and Orange Vanilla Coke Zero Sugar.
It's just the latest in a series of carbonated soft drink (CSD) releases aimed at keeping the category fresh as it struggles to maintain share.
Here's a look at some of the drinks we're watching ...
Orange Vanilla Coke and Orange Vanilla Coke Zero Sugar are the first flavor innovations in more than a decade to join the Coca-Cola flavor portfolio. Beginning Feb. 25, Orange Vanilla Coke and Orange Vanilla Coke Zero Sugar will be available nationwide in 12-ounce cans and 20-ounce PET bottles. Also, 12-ounce slim cans will be available for a limited time March through May. Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. also added two new flavors to its Diet Coke lineup this winter: Blueberry Acai and Strawberry Guava.
PepsiCo will bring the growing interest in nitrogen-infused drinks to the soda market with Pepsi Nitro. The drink, like nitro-infused coffee or beer, is creamier and smoother than regular Pepsi with a "velvety, cascading foam," the Purchase, N.Y.-based company said. The new drink—no launch date announced—will come in Pepsi's signature cola and vanilla flavors.
PepsiCo also launched its latest Mountain Dew-energy drink crossover during the Super Bowl with Mtn Dew Amp Game Fuel. The CSD, energy drink, juice and sports drink hybrid is available in Berry Blast, Cherry Burst, Tropical Strike and Original Dew flavors.
Keurig Dr Pepper, Plano, Texas, has added a Strawberry Lemonade flavor to its Sunkist soda line.
Preston, Wash.-based Talking Rain’s Sparkling Ice brand moved a little closer to the CSD category with its full line of Sparkling Ice +Caffeine, which launched in late 2018. With 70 milligrams of caffeine, the drinks are available in five flavors: Strawberry Citrus, Blue Raspberry, Triple Citrus, Orange Passionfruit and Black Raspberry.
Jones Soda, Seattle, is adding three new flavors to its colorful lineup of CSDs. Now available are Jones Ginger Beer, and sugar free versions of its Strawberry Lime and Cream Sodas.
Push Beverages debuted its Push Strawberry Soda at the NACS Show in October. The drink joins Succasunna, N.J.-based Push’s line of carbonated soft drinks, including pineapple, peach, orange, grape, cola, ginger ale and root beer.
Reed’s has beefed up its sugar-free line of craft soda. Its Virgil’s All Natural sodas are now available in Zero Sugar versions of Root Beer, Cola, Orange, Lemon Lime, Black Cherry and Vanilla Cream. Norwalk, Conn.-based Reed’s also introduced a 16-ounce version of its Ginger Beer.
Afri Cola calls itself the “original premium cola energy drink.” It was brought to the United States from Germany in 2017 after 15 years on the market overseas. During the NACS Show, the Napa, Calif.-based brand launched a new 330-mL slim can.
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