Latest news with #KateSchaufelberger
Hypebeast
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Sprite Blends Lemon-Lime and Tea for New Limited Edition Release
Summary Spriteis shaking up summer with its latest limited-time-only drink: Sprite + Tea. Hitting shelves today across the U.S. and Canada, the new offering blends Sprite's crisp lemon-lime flavor with the smooth taste of tea. Available in both regular and zero-sugar varieties, Sprite + Tea will remain on sale through October. Inspired by a viral social trend of fans steeping tea bags in Sprite, the beverage evolved from an intern-led project into a full-scale launch backed by Coca‑Cola's R&D team. Consumer testing helped fine-tune the amber-hued sparkling drink for a balanced, refreshing taste. 'We're always listening to our consumers,' said Kate Schaufelberger, Brand Director of Sprite North America. 'Sprite + Tea offers a unique take on a classic, and fans are going to love it.' To promote the launch, Sprite partnered withEastside Golf, a brand known for blending golf with hip-hop and basketball culture. The campaign includes a short film,The Fix, featuringEastsidefounders Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper alongside rapper Monaleo. Packaging sports green, gold and amber accents, and fans can scan Sprite cans for exclusive content and perks. See the short film for yourself below.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Sprite introduces a limited-edition flavor. Here's when you can try it.
Sprite introduces a limited-edition flavor. Here's when you can try it. Show Caption Hide Caption Dirty Soda shops explode in popularity after viral boosts Viral TikToks and reality shows helped dirty soda shops explode nationwide Sprite is about to drop a new flavor. The company announced on May 19 that it is launching a new limited-edition summer flavor. "Sprite + Tea" is directly inspired by consumer consumption and the viral trend of consumers steeping tea bags in cold Sprite for a few minutes before drinking it. "It truly originated from social activity that went viral of consumers actually putting tea bags into Sprite and essentially steeping the tea" to create this concoction of bubbles, citrus and tea," Kate Schaufelberger, brand director of Sprite North America, told USA TODAY. "We tried to get under it - of what people were really searching for." She said the new product creates "an elevated Sprite consumption experience." Schaufelberger said the company hopes consumers receive it positively and that the brand will continue to listen to audience feedback. "This came from them as an original seed of an idea, and now we are coming back to them to some degree, to see what they think of it, and hopefully it pays off or exceeds their expectations," Schaufelberger said, adding the team hopes Sprite + Tea will become a year-over-year seasonal offering like the holiday fan-favorite Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry. The brand director also revealed the new product is already getting strong industry recognition and just won a Fabi Award given by the National Restaurant Association Show to celebrate new and creative products. The concept actually started out as an intern research project, according to A.P. Chaney, senior creative director of sparkling flavors in North America at Sprite. "When it blew up on TikTok with millions of views, it was a gut check that we were on the right track," Chaney said in a statement. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. What does Sprite + Tea taste like? Sprite says, "The category-crossing offering blends the crisp, lemon-lime refreshment of Sprite with the classically refreshing taste and flavor of tea." The new Sprite, which Schaufelberger described as the "perfect summer beverage," includes "tea flavor that pays homage to a classic iced tea taste" and tea essence that adds "aroma and consumption experience that's very different than any Sprite the company has put out before." "When you first sip it, it hits you like a Sprite," Schaufelberger said. "It has that known Sprite taste and carbonation. But in the middle is this new, unique tea experience." The brand said the new flavor underwent several rounds of consumer testing to "fine-tune the formula for the amber-colored sparkling beverage." How to get new Sprite + Tea The new Sprite + Tea is available in both the regular and zero-sugar varieties at retailers nationwide starting May 19 until October. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
