16 Feb 2025 Nostalgia runs deep in new Coke flavour

Coca-Cola has launched a new flavour, adding a nostalgic twist to its classic cola…..

Hitting shelves in the US and Canada on 10 February 2025, the new Orange Cream drink will be available in both regular and zero sugar options.

The company says the blend of cola, orange, and vanilla flavours is a direct response to growing consumer demand for comforting, familiar tastes.

Orange cream, a classic flavor profile popularised by the 1937 Creamsicle ice cream bar, has seen a resurgence in recent years.

From probiotic sodas like Olipop’s 2021 orange cream flavour to Carvel’s reintroduction of its Orange Dreamy Creamy ice cream last year, the nostalgic flavour is clearly having a moment.

Even fast-food giant Wendy’s jumped on the trend with its Orange Dreamsicle Frosty last spring.

Coca-Cola has long flirted with flavour experimentation. The company’s 2022 Coca-Cola Creations initiative saw a series of limited-edition flavours, including coconut, strawberry, and even Oreo, released in eye-catching packaging.

The Orange Cream flavour represents the latest attempt to engage consumers with new takes on the iconic Coca-Cola brand.

FoodDive.com insights:

When Coca-Cola phased out Spiced last year, the Atlanta-based beverage giant said the drink would be replaced by another offering in 2025.  

Unlike Spiced, which despite its name combined traditional Coke flavour with raspberry and “spiced” flavours, Orange Cream leaves little to the imagination about what it will taste like.

Still, with consumers continuing to crave nostalgia, and orange cream a flavour that people can relate to, the launch should have little trouble connecting with consumers who desire new flavours and tastes.

The orange cream flavor has been around since 1905 but has seen a renaissance with interest growing “incrementally” over the last 10 years, Coca-Cola said, citing Google Trends data.

A major part of Coca-Cola’s recent innovation efforts has centered around its Creations platform which debuted in 2022 to highlight the company’s signature beverage while drawing in younger consumers.

Creations don’t promote or reveal a flavour profile, such as orange cream, cola, cherry or vanilla, but rather a mood or experience. The extensions have proven successful in drawing consumers into the original Coca-Cola brand.

With soft drink consumption slipping as consumers turn to other beverages, many of which are healthier, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper have little choice but to turn to new flavours that have proven to be effective in boosting sales.

Just last week, PepsiCo announced it is combining cherry and creamy vanilla flavours to launch Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream. It’s the first permanent launch for Pepsi since Mango debuted in 2021, which will soon be discontinued.

What’s it taste like?

South Africans are likely not familiar with this taste [certainly evokes no nostalgia in your ed!] but here’s one positive review:

“I don’t always say this, but Coke absolutely nailed its description. Coca-Cola Orange Cream is smooth, sweet and yes, creamy. The vanilla and orange flavors almost melt into the cola, and the resulting drink is a swirl of sweetness. It’s like if you blended the exact right amount of Fanta and cream soda into a Coke.

“Now, that’s easy praise to give for a full-sugar soft drink. I’ve been wondering if it’s impossible for soft-drink companies to produce a zero-sugar drink that didn’t have an astringent, harsh chemical flavor and bitter aftertaste. But Coke seems to have cracked the zero-sugar code.”

Source: FoodDive.com, Coca-Cola Co, TheIndependent.co.uk