Coca-Cola Spiced has been canned just seven months after its launch in the United States and Canada. It was the company's first alternative to classic Coke in the U.S. in three years.
“We're always looking at what our consumers like and adjusting our range of products,” a Coca-Cola Company spokesperson told NTD. “As part of this strategy, we're planning to phase out Coca-Cola Spiced to introduce an exciting new flavor in 2025.”
The company did not elaborate further on the decision and what led to it, though low consumer awareness and confusion about the flavor (the drink wasn’t actually spicy) likely contributed to weak sales.
The Coca-Cola Company, famously tight-lipped about its products’ recipes, did not specify what spices it added to the drink to distinguish it from the original raspberry Coke.
The decision to cut Spiced is unexpected, as the flavor was initially promoted as a permanent addition to the Coca-Cola product line.
The discontinued products will likely have little impact on Coke’s global popularity. The multi-billion-dollar company’s recent financial results show a global net revenue increase of 3 percent and a 2 percent increase in product sales. That said, sales declined by 1 percent in North America, where the Spiced flavor was marketed.
While the company did not disclose any information about the upcoming new cola flavor, it did announce last week a partnership with Bacardi to debut a ready-to-drink rum and cola cocktail.
The pre-mixed cocktail will initially be launched in Mexico and select European markets in 2025, with additional worldwide markets to follow.
In addition to its regular line-up, Coca-Cola’s Creations platform has been launching limited-time offerings since 2022, such as the Oreo-flavor Coke and the more abstractly labeled “Dreamworld,” “Starlight,” and “Byte” flavored cokes.
A collaboration with DJ Marshmello produced a strawberry and watermelon-flavored Coke.