Coca-Cola has a long history of experimenting with different flavors, from the well-loved Cherry and Vanilla to limited-edition options like Georgia Peach. Now, after three years, Coca-Cola is introducing a new permanent addition to its lineup: Coca-Cola Spiced, a fusion of the classic Coca-Cola flavor with notes of raspberry and warm spices.
Introduction
Starting February 19th, Coca-Cola Spiced became available to shoppers, touted by the brand as their "boldest tasting brand innovation yet." The company also introduced Happy Tears, a sugar-free soda in their Coca-Cola Creations series, inspired by "happy tears-a small, clear droplet filled with optimism and joy that’s created from the smallest acts of kindness," launched on Random Acts of Kindness Day, February 17.
What Does Coca-Cola Spiced Taste Like?
The primary flavor is raspberry, which transitions into a cinnamon-forward spice. The warmth is present without being overwhelming, and the fruit and spice don't compete with each other. Coca-Cola Spiced evokes a sense of nostalgia.
Initial Impressions
Some found the flavor to be tasty, with a smooth raspberry flavor that was fruity yet sophisticated. However, the aftertaste was simply regular Coke flavor. Others found that it tasted like cheap shampoo.
Raspberry and Spice
Coca-Cola Spiced is described as "raspberry spiced," a combination of unnamed spices and raspberry flavoring. The raspberry flavor is prominent, with a "spice" flavor that hits you in the nose. Some have likened it to the taste of a Ricola cough drop or Chloraseptic. The flavor becomes more palatable as the soda sits and gets closer to room temperature.
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Zero Sugar Version
The zero sugar Spiced Coke tastes like the sugar-full version but slightly sweeter because of the aspartame. The experience of drinking it is the same, with raspberry up front, followed by the spice.
Ingredients and Nutrition
The ingredients found in every can of Coke Spiced, whether it's regular or zero sugar, include carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, and caffeine. Both varieties also contain "natural flavors." The regular variety is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Coke Spiced Zero Sugar uses artificial sweeteners to make up for the lack of sugar or corn syrup.
Nutrition Information
Coke Spiced Zero Sugar contains 0 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving along with 0 calories and 95 milligrams of sodium. Regular Coke Spiced contains 250 calories in every 12-ounce serving and 67 grams of sugar.
Availability and Pricing
Coca-Cola Spiced is sold where classic Coke products are sold. The regular version is available as 7.5-ounce mini cans in packs of 10, 12-ounce cans as a 12-pack, 16.9-ounce bottles, 20-ounce bottles, and 2-liter bottles. A 12-pack of 12-ounce cans is priced around $7.49. A 2-liter bottle of Coke Spiced is listed at $2.79 at Target. A 20-ounce Coke Spiced bottle is $2.29.
Is It Actually Spicy?
Coke Spiced is not a terribly spicy soda. The lack of authentic spice is a letdown.
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Raspberry Coke?
The intense hit of raspberry flavor in every sip indicates a change from other Coke-branded items. However, it's nigh impossible to detect any other spices. If it was called Raspberry Coke, it would be more accurate.
Cloying Sweetness
The complete dearth of any recognizable spice or flavor beyond raspberry leads to a cloying sweetness in both the regular and zero sugar varieties.
Coca-Cola Creations: Happy Tears
Happy Tears is exclusively Zero Sugar. The taste of Happy Tears is slightly floral, vaguely fruity, and entirely unique. Drinking it is sort of like eating a mystery-flavored Dum Dum lollipop.
Market Research and Data
The new Coke flavor was borne of research indicating that there’s been an “increase in consumer willingness to try a spiced beverage,” as well as data that says a lot of people choose raspberry flavoring when they use Coke Freestyle machines.
Potential Issues
One issue is that, for decades, there were not many raspberry-flavored liquids in the US, with the exception of cough medicine. Some associate raspberry liquids with expectorants and cough suppressants. The first impression some got from Spiced Zero was that they were drinking carbonated Robitussin.
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Personal Preferences
Some are fiends for flavored Coke, like Cherry and Vanilla Coca-Cola, and are still mourning the departure of Orange Vanilla Coke.