‘Must be joking’: New Coca-Cola flavour roasted by fizzy drink fans

Just months after axing an unpopular new flavour, the fizzy drink brand unveiled its latest product – but many claim it is “yuck”.

Coca-Cola has debuted a new flavour – but fans of the popular fizzy drink brand aren’t convinced.

The global beverage company is launching Coca-Cola Orange Cream on February 10 in the US and Canada, unveiling its latest offering with a glitzy ad campaign and a countdown clock on its website.

But while The Coca-Cola Company are “excited” about its latest drink, it appears consumers are less than enthused by the flavour, with many taking to social media to roast beverage before it has even hit shelves.

“What? They must be joking,” one dismayed fan wrote on X.

“It sounds like it has been inspired by Donald Trump,” another teased.

As another scoffed: “It sounds as if Coca-Cola is out of ideas.”

“I feel they should focus on what they know best,” mused someone else.

The new Coca-Cola Orange Cream flavour has been roasted by fizzy drink fans. Picture: Supplied

Meanwhile some described the announcement as “yuck”, and “the stuff of nightmares”.

“It just sounds nasty,” claimed one bloke.

But not everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet, with a few expressing an eagerness to give the drink, described as “nostalgic” by the brand, a chance.

“It’s like Coca-Cola reached into our childhood dreams and poured them into a can,” enthused one.

“Sounds interesting, I’ll definitely try it,” mused someone else.

The brand described its Orange Cream as having “the delicious taste of Coca-Cola infused with refreshing orange and smooth, creamy vanilla flavours”. It will also be available in a Zero Sugar version, though there is no plan currently to release it in Australia.

“Coca-Cola Orange Cream intends to reconnect consumers with a beloved flavour tradition while pushing the boundaries of taste,” Sue Lynne Cha, vice president of marketing for Coca-Cola in North America, told Fox News.

“By blending our iconic Coca-Cola formula with refreshing orange and smooth creamy vanilla flavours, we are introducing an all-new beverage that reimagines the classic Coca-Cola experience.”

Many weren’t keen on the global brand’s new ‘nostalgic’ flavour. Picture: Supplied

It’s also being released in a Zero Sugar version, but only in the US and Canada. Picture: Supplied

Coca-Cola has debuted more than two dozen variants of the drink since the release of Diet Coke in 1983, the company’s website states.

Most of the various flavours that have come about since the turn of the century have been discontinued, including Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla and Coca-Cola with Coffee, with the most recent new thirst-quencher to get the axe being Coca-Cola Spiced.

Its newest “permanent” flavour was discontinued in September, just months after being launched, with Coca-Cola citing an adjustment to its strategy for the decision.

News of its demise didn’t surprise many, with one expert describing the Spiced flavour as a “flop”.

In September, Coca-Cola discontinued its latest flavour Coke Spiced. Picture: Reddit

Many consumers were also “confused” by the flavour Coke Spiced, which was billed as having an “aromatic raspberry-flavour”, but wasn’t actually spicy, LinkedIn News reported.

There have been success stories though, such as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Cherry which have become a regular fixture on shelves.

The launch of Coca-Cola Orange Cream comes just hours after Coca-Cola issued an urgent recall in the EU for products such as Coca‑Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Nalu, Royal Bliss and Tropico in cans and refillable glass bottles after it was found the drinks had “higher levels” of chlorate.

Chlorate is a chemical that comes from choline disinfectants. It’s been linked to serious health problems.

Originally published as ‘Must be joking’: New Coca-Cola flavour roasted by fizzy drink fans