There are people who like fizzy drinks, and those who do not. If you fall into the pro-pop group, the chances are you already know what you like. We can break this down even further to the sorts of people who are outraged when they order a coke at a pub or restaurant only to find that they actually serve Pepsi, and the ones who wouldn’t even notice.
Sadly, the ones that never really do well in the fizzy drinks biz, however, are those rogue novelty flavours that pop up every now and again. Diet Raspberry Coke? I’m okay thanks. Coca-Cola Black Cherry Vanilla? Yeah, that existed for a while.
Call me boring but I like my Coke, Coke-flavoured, please. That's all. Ice and a slice of lemon if I have to. The novelty of your parents taking you out to a restaurant where you could pour your own drinks from the dispensers got old as soon as we realised that Cola mixed with Fanta is questionable in both taste and colour and, by the end of a full glass, ends up ruining your now fury taste buds for the rest of the meal.
Hence why we these new Diet Coke flavours are a bit lost on me. They've gone and announced a big refresh and along with a fancy new design (the cans are now tall and slim and colourful) come four new fruity flavours: Ginger Lime, Twisted Mango, Zesty Blood Orange and Feisty (sigh) Cherry.
In a statement given to the ft.com, Coca-Cola’s North America group director for Diet Coke Rachel Acevedo said it’s because ‘Millennials are now thirstier than ever for adventures and new experiences, and we want to be right by their side.’
‘We’re contemporizing the Diet Coke brand and portfolio with sleek packaging and new flavours that are appealing to new audiences.'
I'd like to think I'm thirsty for new experiences but my mouth can only take so much. If you're as weary as I am, a representative from the Coca-Cola Great Britain Press Office told *The Debrief *the new packaging and flavours will first launch in the United States this month and then in Canada in February. But if you're into the weird amalgamation of tastes bubbling around your mouth then you know where to head for your long haul holiday this year.
Will these new Zesty and Feisty flavours stick? Who knows. But if history serves us well (that, and the fact that it's almost impossible to track down a bottle of even just Vanilla Coke these days), the future doesn't look very fruity. RIP to the flavours that didn't make it...
Debrief Fizzy Drinks That Are Extinct
1 of 81. Coca Cola Blak
The coffee flavoured coke that lasted a whole two years.
2 of 82. 7 Up Gold
Back when this launched (and died) in 1988 no one was really sure what the 'Gold' bit meant flavour-wise. Safe to say we haven't gotten any further in understanding now...
3 of 83. Crystal Pepsi
In the 2000s people decided that clear drinks were cool so Pepsi did tis. It wasn't cool .
4 of 84. Dr Pepper Red Fusion
Dr. Pepper is so flavoursome all on it's own. The bonus cherry wasn't necessary.
5 of 85. Sprite Remix
There were lots of different flavours to this line of caffeine-free Sprite. Despite the jazzy packaging, they didn't last long over in the States.
6 of 86. Coca Cola Black Cherry Vanilla
Back when Coca Cola did the most...
7 of 87. Pepsi Jazz
Remember Panda Pops? The little bottles of fizzy drinks you used to only find at kids parties? I think Pepsi were trying to tap into that with this Strawberries & Cream concoction.
8 of 88. Pepsi Blue
Yep. Another unsuccessful (blue)berry edition which at most would have changed the colour of your tongue.
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Coca Cola’s Been Trying To Convince You It’s Healthy All This Time
Follow Jazmin on Instagram @JazKopotsha
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.