Sippin’ the Culture: Sprite + Tea Hits Shelves with Hip-Hop Swing

By Benjamin Webster

Sprite is brewing something fresh for summer with its latest limited-time-only (LTO) innovation: Sprite + Tea. This seasonal release blends the familiar crispness of Sprite’s lemon-lime soda with the smooth, earthy essence of tea—available now in both regular and zero-sugar varieties across the U.S. and Canada through October.

Inspired by a viral TikTok trend where users steep tea bags in Sprite, this hybrid beverage is the result of both cultural listening and a strategic approach to innovation. “This moment felt different,” said Kate Schaufelberger, Brand Director for Sprite North America. “Fans are not just looking for new flavors—they’re craving multisensory experiences. That’s what we aimed to deliver.”

The drink’s amber hue and light fizz reflect the balance Coca-Cola’s R&D team worked to perfect across multiple testing phases. Surprisingly, the concept began as an intern-led research project before going viral on social media. “When we saw the traction it was getting online, we knew we had something worth pursuing,” said A.P. Chaney, Senior Creative Director for Sparkling Flavors North America. “Sprite + Tea is proof of what can happen when you pay close attention to what your consumers are actually doing.”

The beverage follows in the footsteps of Sprite Lymonade and last year’s summer sensation, Sprite Chill—2024’s top-selling sparkling innovation at Coca-Cola. If Sprite + Tea resonates similarly, it could become a seasonal staple alongside favorites like Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry.

Visually, the packaging breaks away from the traditional tea aisle aesthetic. It fuses Sprite’s iconic green branding with golden, tea-inspired accents and bold splash graphics, giving it youthful energy and shelf appeal.

Marketing for the launch leans into bold cultural crossovers. Under the “Refreshing Take on Tea” campaign, Sprite partnered with Eastside Golf, a Black-owned lifestyle brand reshaping the narrative around golf with influences from hip-hop and streetwear. Co-founders Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper appear in a short film titled “The Fix,” alongside rising rapper and singer Monaleo. The brand collaboration celebrates disruption—on the green, in the bottle, and beyond.

“Sprite + Tea is bringing something fresh to the golf course that challenges tradition, just like we do at Eastside Golf,” said Ajanaku. Fans can unlock exclusive content and prizes through Sprite’s new digital experience by scanning any product label.

In addition to the film, a cheeky second spot positions the drink as “not your granny’s tea,” a nod to its youthful tone and unexpected flavor pairing. Outdoor, digital, and social media campaigns round out the creative push.

While Sprite remains the No. 3 sparkling soft drink in North America, LTOs like this keep the brand culturally relevant and flavor-forward. “What excites me most about innovations like this is how daring we get to be,” said Chaney. “There’s no comfort zone when you’re leading the charge—and Sprite has always been about staying ahead of the curve.”

With Sprite + Tea, that curve just got a lot more refreshing.