Coca-Cola is releasing a new flavor, and people are nervous

The flavor hits stores on Feb. 25.
 By 
Jack Morse
 on 
Coca-Cola is releasing a new flavor, and people are nervous
You can practically taste the high fructose corn syrup. Credit: Pornchai Jaito / EyeEm / getty

When you're feeling risky, but not too risky, Coca-Cola's got you covered.

The brilliant minds that brought us New Coke are back at it again with a flavor concoction that is sure to win hearts, minds, tastebuds, dollars, and possibly doctor visits. Say hello to Orange Vanilla, which a press release tells us is the first new iteration on that classic Coke flavor in over a decade.

The flavor blast from your Creamsicle past will be available in the U.S. starting Feb. 25, but that Orange Vanilla is, at this moment, kept out of reach by Time's evil grasp hasn't stopped soda fans from speculating on the sheer possibilities offered by the new flavor.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

And while some are keeping an open mind, others... well, not so much.

Irrational exuberance aside, one does perhaps wonder why now and why Orange Vanilla? Thankfully, Coca-Cola brand director Kate Carpenter filled us all in.

“We wanted to bring back positive memories of carefree summer days,” she is quoted in the aforementioned press release as explaining. “That’s why we leaned into the orange-vanilla flavor combination – which is reminiscent of the creamy orange popsicles we grew up loving, but in a classically Coke way.”

Ah yes, now does seem like the right time to wax nostalgic about carefree summer days. Coca-Cola, you know us better than we know ourselves. I'm still not drinking this Orange Vanilla nonsense, though.

Mashable Image
Jack Morse

Professionally paranoid. Covering privacy, security, and all things cryptocurrency and blockchain from San Francisco.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Hands-on: RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR glasses have a killer HDR display — and a killer low price
TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR glasses on stylized blue blackground

'SNL UK' cold open mocking Keir Starmer gets shared by Donald Trump
A worried man sits behind a desk.

The 4 best iPads of 2026: Should you buy the 2026 iPad Air with M4 chip?
ipad pro m5 standing up against abstract background


'The dominATE Experience' trailer proves Stray Kids were built for the big screen
Stray Kids on stage at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.


NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!