Pepsi unveils 3 new flavours - including one inspired by axed drink
Pepsi has unveiled three new flavours set to arrive on UK shelves next week, as the brand expands its Zero Sugar range ahead of the summer.
The soft drinks giant is building on its recent push into more playful cola launches, following last year’s Strawberries ‘N’ Cream and Cream Soda additions.
Revealed by outlets like The Sun, the latest release will first appear in Tesco, where shoppers will be able to pick up the new drinks from 18 May, before some of the range is made available more widely later in the year.
It comes as major drinks brands continue turning to limited and unusual flavours to stand out in fridges and supermarket aisles, particularly as warmer weather brings a higher demand for grab-and-go soft drinks.
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The three new flavours are Cherry & Vanilla, Raspberry Ripple, and Salted Caramel.
All three are ice cream-inspired additions to the Pepsi Zero Sugar range, with packaging designed to lean into the nostalgic summer theme.
However, Raspberry Ripple is likely to receive particular attention from some Pepsi fans, as it comes after Pepsi Max Raspberry was discontinued in March 2024.
The new drink is not a straight return of the axed flavour, but it does bring raspberry back into the range with a creamier twist inspired by the classic ice cream.
Cherry & Vanilla and Raspberry Ripple will roll out more widely across grocery stores from July, while Salted Caramel will only be available at Tesco as part of an exclusive deal.
The drinks will be sold in a range of formats, including 8x330ml can multipacks with a retail price of £7.55, as well as 500ml plain and price-marked packs with a price of £2.39, as noted by The Grocer.
Cherry & Vanilla and Raspberry Ripple will also be available in individual 330ml cans, with an RSP (Retail Selling Price) of £1.
Natalia Filippociants, PepsiCo general manager for international beverages in Europe, said: “Pepsi continues to innovate and bring unique flavours, as well as zero sugar offerings to retailers’ shelves.”
“These new ice cream-inspired flavours have been crafted with a younger generation in mind, designed to be a fun, zero-sugar summer treat that’s a little unexpected – but in the best way.”
Munnawar Chishty, CMO at Carlsberg Britvic, added: “The addition of these new ice cream flavours is an exciting moment for the Pepsi brand. Shoppers are actively seeking soft drinks that offer great flavour, and following in the success of Strawberries ‘N’ Cream and Cream Soda flavours, we’re confident that the trio will continue to deliver.
“With vibrant packaging, and a nostalgic-inspired flavour lineup, the ice cream flavours will offer retailers an eye-catching proposition that stands out in-store and will aim to reach consumers across a range of missions, from on-the-go impulse buys to a treat to cool down in the summer heat.”
The launch follows a strong year for Pepsi’s previous dessert-style flavours, with Strawberries ‘N’ Cream and Cream Soda delivering £2.2 million in additional category benefit last year, according to a Worldpanel study.
Ben Williams