Spicy Sprite Coming Soon? Coca-Cola Trademark Application Fuels Speculation

Cans of Coca-Cola products are displayed for sale at Hawthorne Market on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (Photo: AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Coca-Cola may soon be launching a spicy reimagining of Sprite, according to a recent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office. What the soda tastes like — and how it learns from the company’s past mistakes — is yet to be seen.

On July 9, the prolific beverage maker filed a trademark application for “Spricy,” saying that it has a “bona fide intention” to use the name for soft drinks. Though the phrase could theoretically be used to label and market any number of new sodas, we’d be willing to bet that it’s a portmanteau of Sprite and Spicy. The application does not mention Sprite by name, nor does it mention an imminent product launch or anything relating to the soda’s ingredients.

The USPTO takes around four to five months to review applications, and it’s possible that it might find existing registrations or pending applications. If there’s no conflict of interest and Coca-Cola moves quickly, however, Spricy could be touching down at convenience stores in as little as half a year.

It isn’t the first time that Coca-Cola has dipped its toes into the hot end of the pool. In 2024, the company launched Coca-Cola Spiced in Raspberry and Zero Sugar varieties, at the time the brand’s first new permanent offerings in four years. It wasn’t a hit. The soda failed to reach the company’s sales projections and was pulled from shelves within six months. Many complained that the beverage wasn’t actually spicy, but rather had a generic warming spice flavor similar to cinnamon or nutmeg.

If it comes to market, Spricy will likely be a different story. Though we’re not sure if a genuinely spicy version of Coca-Cola was ever a great idea to begin with, spicy Sprite feels like a more logical match. The popularity of spicy Tajín rims, often coated with reckless abandon on margaritas, has accustomed many to the heat plus citrus combo. It wouldn’t be too far of a stretch to say that seasonings like lemon pepper share a similar DNA.

Also worth remembering: Coca-Cola has previously leaned into this exact pairing. Last July, the company launched a global “Hurts Real Good” marketing campaign that touted Sprite as the perfect accompaniment for spicy foods. The brand partnered with food makers like McDonald’s, Buldak Fried Noodles and Takis for a string of combo meal promotions, and tapped brand ambassador and K-pop star Karina for a digital film.

“At Sprite, we’re not just about refreshment; we’re a brand of culture, deeply embedded in the pulse of what moves our consumers, and this is reflected in who we have partnered with,” Oana Vlad, global vice president at Sprite, said in a statement at the time. “We recognize that the global love affair with spicy food isn’t just a trend – it’s a vibrant cultural movement, a pursuit of thrilling sensations.”