For the first time in over three years, Coca-Cola is adding a new flavor to its permanent lineup of beverages: Coca-Cola Spiced.
The new flavor might not be exactly what you're thinking.
"Coca-Cola Spiced is not spicy, it's bold," Sue Lynne Cha, vice president of marketing for the Coca-Cola trademark in North America, said in a statement.
The beverage maker described the drink as its "boldest-tasting brand innovation yet," saying it offers an "uplifting taste experience unlike any other."
"Coca-Cola Spiced features a refreshing burst of raspberry which is combined with our iconic Coca-Cola formula. Consumers will taste the raspberry followed by the warm, spiced flavor," said Cha. "It's a very complex flavor profile and something that makes it really unique. It's Coca-Cola with a twist."
The new flavor is expected to hit shelves in mid-February at most national retailers.
The company said Coca-Cola Spiced is a direct response to category trends and consumer demand, offering a unique formula in a differentiated taste territory. It pointed to food and beverage industry data that shows a "massive increase in purchasing behaviors and interests surrounding spiced and/or raspberry beverages and flavor offerings."
"Our products typically take about 12 or more months to complete but Coke Spiced was done in 7 weeks," said Shakir Moin, chief of marketing for Coca-Cola North America, "Internally, we're disrupting the way we're working to be faster than what the market expects of us, so we're looking to do more of that in the future."
Coca-Cola Spiced is a permanent addition to The Coca-Cola Company portfolio and is not a limited time offering or part of Coke Creations.