Coke's first new permanent flavour in years adds a spicy twist

Coca-Cola over the past few years has experimented with wacky limited-time offerings to try Coke again. But its latest flavour, Coca-Cola Spiced, is its first permanent addition in a while.

Coke has a problem: People are increasingly seeking out water, seltzer and other flavoured drinks and treating the 137-year-old soda as, well, a treat.

To counteract the trend, Coca-Cola over the past few years has experimented with wacky limited-time offerings to try Coke again. But its latest flavour, Coca-Cola Spiced, is its first permanent addition in a while. It’s part of Coke’s attempt to cater to tastes changing along with America’s demographics.

Coca-Cola announced the new Spiced flavour Wednesday, saying it blends the traditional Coke flavour with raspberry and spiced flavours. It will be available both in full-sugar and zero-sugar varieties when it hits store shelves in the U.S. and Canada in the coming weeks.

Coke is feeling competition from smaller brands that produce punchier and fruit-inspired flavours, like Olipop and Poppi, that have attracted consumers’ attention.

“Growth in sales of flavoured sodas has generally outpaced cola for years, which is helped by a growing multicultural population,” said Duane Stanford, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest.

Traditional Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke sales grew by just 1% in North America in 2022, the most recent year for which the company has provided full sales data. That was outpaced by 3% growth in sparkling water and juice brands. In other regions, traditional Coke sales growth was outmatched by water, tea, sports drinks and coffee.

Coke doesn’t often add new permanent flavours to its lineup: Spiced joins just a few other flavours it always sells, including its flagship flavour, cherry and vanilla.