Coca-Cola Spiced was not the hit the company hoped it would be with consumers.
Just six months after launching the new flavor, Coca-Cola is pulling it from store shelves, even though the spicy soda was meant to be a permanent part of the beverage giant’s lineup.
While it is still billed as a new flavor of Coca-Cola’s websitethe company told CBS MoneyWatch that the variety will cease to exist. “We’re always looking at what our customers like and adapting our range of products,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “As part of this strategy, we plan to phase out Coca-Cola Spiced to introduce an exciting new flavor in 2025.”
It appears the spicy flavor failed to resonate with consumers in an increasingly crowded beverage market, as younger drinkers in particular turn to sodas billed as healthier alternatives to older brand offerings. Coca-Cola faces competition from new players in the market such as Olipop, Poppi and Culture Pop.
Coca-Cola often releases limited-edition flavors as twists on its regular and diet cola formulas, such as Coca-Cola Oreo and Coca-Cola Marshmello – a collaboration with Grammy-nominated artist Marshmello.
The marketing behind Coca-Cola Spiced could also have confused consumers, as the drink was not exactly spicy, but rather raspberry flavored. Coke had described it as a drink that blended “the iconic taste of Coca-Cola with an explosion of refreshing notes from raspberries and spiced flavors.”