Coca-Cola has been quietly discontinuing fan-favorite flavors
Spiced and Cherry Vanilla: The Latest Victims
After a dose of online speculation, the company confirmed to TODAY.com on Sept. 24 that it would be discontinuing Coca-Cola Spiced — the flavor that made its debut earlier this year. The soda, which combined raspberry and a “blend of warm spiced flavors,” is one of a few on the brand’s slate that folks online have seen disappear from store shelves.
Phasing Out Spiced
“We’re always looking at what our consumers like and adjusting our range of products,” a spokesperson from The Coca-Cola Company tells TODAY.com over email. “As part of this strategy, we’re planning to phase out Coca-Cola Spiced to introduce an exciting new flavor in 2025.”
Not the Only One
Spiced was first introduced in February and, in a March press release, was dubbed “a permanent addition to the lineup in North America.” Now, seven months later, the flavor is being retired — but it’s not the only one.
Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla: Discontinued Late Last Year
Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla was also discontinued late last year. The company confirmed the flavor’s demise back in March with a post on X that said it had been discontinued and was only available while supplies last.
A Change in Consumer Preferences
“We decided to discontinue Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla due to consumers’ taste preferences and lifestyles constantly changing,” the brand wrote on X on Sept. 4. “As a Total Beverage Company, we are always searching for ways to evolve our product portfolio to bring consumers the beverages they want.”
What’s Next?
Coca-Cola has been busy releasing a slew of unique and limited-time flavors. In 2022, these included Dreamworld, a soda meant to evoke “technicolor tastes and surrealism of the subconscious,” and the gaming-inspired Byte, “inspired by the playfulness of pixels.” In 2023, the brand released Coca-Cola Move with Rosalía, which was “transformation flavored.” This past August, the brand partnered with Oreo to release two items: The Oreo Coca-Cola Sandwich Cookie, which is red and black and contains Coca-Cola syrup, as well as the limited-edition Coca-Cola Oreo Zero Sugar drink, which features “flavorful hints” inspired by the chocolate and creme of an Oreo cookie.
Conclusion
Coca-Cola has been quietly discontinuing fan-favorite flavors, including Coca-Cola Spiced and Cherry Vanilla. While some fans are unhappy about the changes, the company is always looking for ways to evolve its product portfolio to bring consumers the beverages they want.
FAQs
Q: Why is Coca-Cola discontinuing Spiced?
A: Coca-Cola is phasing out Spiced to introduce an exciting new flavor in 2025.
Q: What happened to Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla?
A: Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla was discontinued late last year due to changing consumer preferences and lifestyles.
Q: Will Coca-Cola bring back other discontinued flavors?
A: The company has not announced any plans to revive other discontinued flavors, but fans can always suggest their favorite flavors on social media.
