ATLANTA -- Coca-Cola Co. is turning the early promise of its Freestyle soda-fountain technology—allowing experimentation with flavors and monitoring customers' choices—into the packaged-beverage innovation of today with the launch of Sprite Cherry and Sprite Cherry Zero, coming to shelves this month.
After a number of successful limited-time flavor innovations, Sprite is adding the two cherry-flavored products to its beverage portfolio, which will be available nationwide in 20-ounce PET bottles.
The Sprite and cherry flavor combination is a fan favorite choice on self-serve Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, which were introduced in 2009, according to the company. The launch of Sprite Cherry and Sprite Cherry Zero marks the first time insights from Coca-Cola Freestyle were used to inspire the nationwide rollout of a new product, it said.
Both new options, which combine the taste of Sprite with a splash of cherry flavor, are clear, caffeine-free and made with 100% natural flavors.
“We’re always looking for new ways to give people more choice and variety, whether it’s launching a limited-time product or a seasonal flavor, and this time, we’re excited to bring two new flavor innovations to the Sprite portfolio,” said Bobby Oliver, director of Sprite & Citrus Brands for Coca-Cola North America, Atlanta. “The launch of Sprite Cherry and Sprite Cherry Zero is a great way to show our fans that we’re continuing to innovate and offering them more of the great Sprite taste they love with a twist of something new.”
The new permanent additions to the Sprite portfolio follow previous limited-edition flavor innovations, including Sprite Cranberry, Sprite Cranberry Zero, Sprite Tropical Mix and Sprite LeBron’s Mix.
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