Sprite + Tea: Coca-Cola’s Limited-Edition Flavor Turns a Viral Trend Into a Refreshing Reality

In 2023, a viral beverage hack captured the internet’s attention: placing two Lipton tea bags into a bottle of Sprite, flipping it upside-down to steep for 20 minutes, and adding a splash of lemon. This Sprite lemon tea trick quickly went viral on TikTok, generating nearly 20 million views—even though many taste-testers weren’t impressed by the flavor.

The buzz was too strong for Sprite to ignore. Inspired by the trend and a forward-thinking 2019 intern concept, Coca-Cola has now officially launched Sprite + Tea as a limited-edition product for summer. Available in both 12-ounce cans and 20-ounce bottles, with regular and zero-sugar options, this new release aims to blend the iconic lemon-lime taste of Sprite with the distinct flavor of tea.

But does it deliver?

Tea has long posed a challenge for beverage manufacturers. While Pepsi and Lipton’s 1990s Brisk iced tea made an early attempt, it often left consumers disappointed due to its artificial aftertaste and metallic tang. Brands like Snapple and Arizona improved the category, but many still argue that nothing compares to freshly brewed tea.

A big part of what makes tea so special is its aroma—a quality difficult to replicate in canned or bottled drinks. Carbonating tea only adds another layer of complexity, often resulting in disappointing taste and texture.

So why did the original DIY Sprite + tea combo go viral? It offered a sense of novelty and homemade creativity, even if the execution was flawed. Reviewers often described it as flat soda mixed with weak tea, more fuss than flavor.

Enter Coca-Cola’s R&D team. Led by Kate Schaufelberger, brand director of Sprite North America, the team used the viral concept as a springboard. They conducted multiple rounds of testing to ensure the final product kept Sprite’s signature zing while integrating real tea flavor in a way that felt authentic and refreshing.

Their biggest challenge? Tea itself. With countless varieties and subtle flavor differences influenced by growing conditions and oxidation, selecting the right tea to complement Sprite’s profile wasn’t easy. But after extensive trials, the team struck the right balance between tea essence and citrus fizz.

The final product is a surprisingly well-balanced fusion. When poured into a glass, Sprite + Tea maintains Sprite’s effervescence and bright color. The aroma is inviting, with clear tea notes. The taste is layered: first the familiar crispness of Sprite, followed by a clean, smooth tea finish—without any metallic or artificial aftertaste.

While it contains nearly the same sugar content as regular Sprite, the finish is noticeably more refreshing and clean. It's caffeine-free, making it an ideal summer thirst-quencher. Of course, if you’re seeking tea’s health benefits, brewing it yourself is still the best option—but as a ready-to-drink beverage, Sprite + Tea comes surprisingly close to delivering a fresh tea experience.

Available only for a limited time, Sprite + Tea offers a cool twist on a viral favorite. Think of it as a summer road trip in a can—here for now, gone by fall. Be sure to try it before it disappears from store shelves in October.