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Key Takeaways:
- Sprite launches a summer LTO inspired by fans mixing tea with soda, tapping into grassroots trends for fresh product innovation.
- Eastside Golf and Monaleo headline the campaign’s content rollout, using culture, sport, and music to drive engagement.
- The drink aims to carve out space in both soda and tea categories, expanding Sprite’s seasonal portfolio in new ways.
Sprite is jumping from soda fountains to tea kettles this summer, launching its newest limited-time-only drink: "Sprite + Tea."
The hybrid beverage, available in regular and zero-sugar formats, combines the lemon-lime crispness of Sprite with the familiar comfort of brewed tea.
Inspired by a viral trend of fans steeping tea bags in Sprite, the new drink is now available across the U.S. and Canada until October.
@lettoddcook ICED TEA SPRITE . . . #IcedTeaSprite#RefreshingDrink#SummerDrinks#Drinkstagram#BeverageLover#Yummy#Foodie#InstaDrink#Delicious#DrinkRecipe#ThirstQuencher#HomemadeDrink♬ original sound - LetToddCook
What began as an intern-led research project quickly gained traction after blowing up on TikTok.
“When it blew up on TikTok with millions of views, it was a gut check that we were on the right track,” said A.P. Chaney, senior creative director for Sparkling Flavors North America.
"Because you never go wrong when you listen to consumers and tap into what they're doing by becoming part of their everyday.”
Sprite’s R&D team spent months fine-tuning the flavor, aiming to strike the right balance between fizzy and familiar.
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Kate Schaufelberger, brand director at Sprite North America, said the product was developed to reflect what fans look for: variety and multisensory experiences.
“We’re always listening to our consumers,” she said, “but this particular phenomenon motivated us to explore how we could offer our own refreshing take on tea.”
The packaging design mirrors this crossover energy.
It features Sprite’s classic green accented by gold and amber hues, splash graphics, and a font style that’s more streetwear than traditional tea.
I think what makes this campaign work is how naturally it comes together.
Sprite didn’t force a concept. It saw something fans were already doing and said, “Let’s make that real.”
Pairing it with Eastside Golf just adds personality and makes it feel like something you'd actually want to try, not just another limited-time gimmick.
And what’s impressive is how quickly their product launch unfolded, turning summer trends into a real product that actually looks and feels new.
Bringing Swagger to the Fairway
The "Refreshing Take on Tea" campaign leads with a cinematic spot called “The Fix,” created in partnership with fashion and lifestyle brand Eastside Golf.
Known for merging golf with street culture, Eastside Golf’s co-founders Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper star in the film alongside rapper Monaleo.
The trio brings the drink into golf culture, challenging old-school norms, both in what you wear and what you drink.
“Sprite + Tea is bringing something fresh to the golf course that challenges tradition, just like we do at Eastside Golf,” said Ajanaku.
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Fans can scan any Sprite product to access the new Sprite Squad digital portal, which offers behind-the-scenes Eastside Golf content, exclusive perks, and prizes.
Another ad takes a lighter route, describing Sprite + Tea as “not your granny’s tea,” while outdoor, social, and digital creatives reinforce the irreverent, youth-forward tone.
The launch follows the success of last year’s “Sprite Chill,” which went on to become Coca-Cola’s best-selling sparkling soft drink innovation in 2024.
The brand hopes Sprite + Tea can follow a similar path and secure a recurring seasonal spot in its lineup.
“Sprite has never rested on our laurels,” Chaney added.
“We’ll always continue to push ourselves to do what's right for our consumers and the business with innovations like Sprite + Tea.
Product design companies can learn how Sprite reimagined a legacy drink into something new by aligning form, flavor, and tone with current cultural trends.
Meanwhile, Liquid Death previously teamed up with legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk for a crazy sweepstakes campaign.
Ready to launch or reposition a product? These agencies build momentum. Explore top product marketing partners here:
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