Coca-Cola has not been kind when it comes to getting rid of slower-selling flavors, even when they have a dedicated fanbase.
The most famous example of that is the company’s 2020 decision to stop making TaB, its first diet soda.
That inspired the SaveTaBSoda Committee, a group of fans of the diet beverage who want to force Coca-Cola to bring it back.
“We’re TaB drinkers on a mission to save our soda. The SaveTaBSoda Committee was formed in October 2020, shortly after the Coca-Cola Company announced the planned discontinuation of TaB soda,” the group shared on its website.
Coca-Cola has not given in, despite a protest at the company’s headquarters, a petition, and multiple other efforts to force the company to bring back the classic soda.
That doesn’t mean Coca-Cola never brings back a classic flavor. The company has two cult-favorite holiday sodas, and one of them was discontinued in 2021. Another was canceled in 2018, but a variation of it will make a 2026 return to shelves.
Coca-Cola Cinnamon is not coming back
Coca-Cola Cinnamon, introduced in 2019, was a limited-time offer for the Christmas season. The company trumpeted the flavor in a 2019 news release, which is no longer on the company’s website.
“Coca‑Cola also is spicing up the season with the limited-edition launch of Coca‑Cola Cinnamon, which blends the delicious taste of Coca‑Cola with a warm cinnamon flavor associated with the holidays,” the company wrote.
The company brought back Cinnamon Coke in 2020 but not in 2021. It has not returned since.
In 2023, Coca-Cola ignored a request from TheStreet for a comment on the fate of Coca-Cola Cinnamon.
Coca-Cola has discontinued many sodas over the years.Shutterstock
Coca-Cola brings back another holiday classic
In 2013, Coca-Cola introduced Sprite Cranberry for the holiday season.
“Both products take the refreshing taste of traditional Sprite and combine it with a splash of sweet and tart cranberry notes,” the company shared in a press release.
It was the first new Sprite flavor since Sprite Remix in 2005.
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“We’re incorporating one of the most popular flavors of the season with the No. 1 lemon-lime brand to celebrate the holidays,” Sprite Brands executive Kim Paige said at the time. “Over the years, our fans have increasingly demanded Sprite with cranberry flavor, and we’re excited to give it to them with the crisp, clear, caffeine-free, naturally flavored taste they already love about Sprite.”
That flavor was brought back every year seasonally until 2018, when it was discontinued. In 2019, however, Coca-Cola introduced a new take on the drink, Winter Spiced Cranberry.
“Coca-Cola changed the classic Sprite Cranberry — which had been a holiday staple for six years — to a new warm spice- and cranberry-flavored lemon-lime soda. The holiday Sprite became an immediate favorite,” Allrecipes reported.
While the new variant has appeared every year since the old one was killed, Coca-Cola had not commented on whether it will return this year. Several social media accounts that track beverage releases have, however, confirmed the return.
“Holiday soda season is coming very soon! Coca-Cola Holiday Creamy Vanilla and Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry are both set to return in mid-October 2026, including Zero Sugar options,” Snackwire reported.
All Things Hallows, which covers seasonal product releases, also reported on the return.
“Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry: The seasonal favorite returns in Original and Zero Sugar,” it shared on its Facebook page.
Kroger has added a page listing the returning Sprite, but it’s still showing as unavailable. Walmart also has a product listing, but it shows no stock.
Pepsi’s holiday classic can’t return
In 2023, Pepsi discontinued a holiday favorite by killing the entire brand it was part of.
PepsiCo dropped its entire Sierra Mist product line. That meant Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash was quietly killed as the company replaced Sierra Mist with Starry as its lemon-lime soda.
It won’t prevent Pepsi from offering a seasonal flavor this winter, according to Sodaseekers, a top Instagram page covering the beverage industry.
“The newest Pepsi holiday innovation is almost here! The product images seen here came from an official database, confirming this release,” the Instagram page wrote next to pictures of Pepsi Vanilla & Cream, in full and Zero Sugar.
It will be released in October and is expected at all Pepsi retailers, the site reported.
Sporked also confirmed that Pepsi would be releasing a Vanilla & Cream flavor.
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