10 Interesting Facts About Sprite

Sprite is owned by The Coca-Cola Company, which launched the brand in 1961. Sprite is one of Coca-Cola’s top-selling brands globally and ranks as the third most popular soda brand worldwide after Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Coca-Cola’s global revenue in 2023 was approximately $44 billion, with Sprite contributing significantly, especially in markets where citrus-flavored sodas are popular. Sprite consistently holds a high rank in the soda industry and competes closely with 7UP (PepsiCo’s lemon-lime soda).

Market Position

Sprite is the world’s leading lemon-lime soda brand, known for its clear, caffeine-free composition and refreshing citrus taste. It is a top player in its category, competing directly with 7UP in the lemon-lime soda market. Despite tough competition, Sprite is often preferred due to its strong marketing and global reach.

Interesting Facts

1. Sprite Wasn’t Coca-Cola’s First Lemon-Lime Drink: Before Sprite, Coca-Cola tried to introduce another lemon-lime soda in 1940 called “Fanta Klare Zitrone” in Germany, which ultimately evolved into Sprite in 1961 to rival Pepsi’s 7UP.
2. Global Popularity: Sprite is available in more than 190 countries, making it one of the most globally recognized brands. It enjoys a particularly strong presence in regions like Africa and Europe, where it has customized versions with less sugar or different flavor variations to meet local tastes.
3. Green Bottle Icon: The iconic green bottle that Sprite comes in is instantly recognizable. Sprite was one of the first brands to popularize the use of green-tinted bottles for soft drinks. The design has remained largely unchanged since its launch.
4. Sprite’s Rebrand for Health Consciousness: As consumers became more health-conscious, Sprite responded by introducing a lower-sugar version called Sprite Zero in 1974 (originally as “Diet Sprite”). It was one of the first diet sodas that was caffeine-free and aimed at providing a healthier alternative.
5. Sprite’s Formula Changes: In some countries, Coca-Cola has altered the formula for Sprite, reducing its sugar content as part of the company’s efforts to cater to the growing demand for healthier drinks. In the UK, for example, Sprite now contains sweeteners alongside less sugar to meet local health regulations.
6. Sponsorships and Sports: Sprite is a long-time sponsor of NBA events and has partnered with LeBron James and other major basketball figures. This sponsorship has helped cement Sprite’s image as the soft drink of choice for sports fans, particularly in the U.S.
7. The “Toilet Bowl” Incident (2005): A controversial Sprite ad in 2005, known as the “Toilet Bowl” commercial, was banned due to complaints that it depicted inappropriate and offensive behavior. The ad showed someone drinking Sprite from a toilet, and it was quickly pulled from circulation after backlash.
8. Sprite’s Mislabeling Controversy (2012): In 2012, a legal suit was filed against Coca-Cola claiming that Sprite Zero was misleadingly advertised as containing “natural flavors”, while it also included artificial sweeteners like aspartame. The lawsuit raised concerns about transparency in labeling, but Coca-Cola defended the use of “natural flavors” as a descriptor for the beverage.
9. Plastic Bottle Environmental Concerns: Sprite’s signature green plastic bottles have long been a point of environmental criticism because they are harder to recycle than clear plastic bottles. In 2022, Coca-Cola announced it would be transitioning Sprite to clear plastic bottles to increase the recycling efficiency and reduce environmental harm caused by the green plastic.
10. Health Warnings in Mexico (2014): In Mexico, Sprite faced increased scrutiny when health officials issued warnings about its high sugar content, contributing to rising obesity rates in the country. Mexico introduced a soda tax in 2014 aimed at reducing consumption of sugary drinks, and Sprite, along with other sodas, saw a dip in sales in the country due to the public health campaign.