We Have Sad News About The New Coke Flavor

Updated 12/17/24 to include a statement from the Coca-Cola Company, clarifying that orange cream Coke will not be a permanent addition to its lineup.

Coke comes in a variety of flavors, some permanent and some limited-time only. Orange vanilla was one beloved but unusual flavor that only lasted about four years before the brand pulled the plug. Now, a new spin on this cult classic is coming to the brand's lineup — but will it be permanent?

At a convention for a convenience store industry group back in October, the Coca-Cola Company unveiled its upcoming orange cream flavor. More recently, popular foodie markie_devo posted on Instagram that this new variety would be an indefinite addition to Coke's lineup, with a planned rollout in the U.S. during early 2025. (It will also, reportedly, be available in both bottles and cans, and as regular Coke as well as a Coke Zero variation.)

However, the Coca-Cola Company informed Daily Meal that this rumor is inaccurate, stating, "Coca-Cola Orange Cream will not be a 'permanent addition' but is planned to be in-market until Q1 2026." There may be some hope, though, as the company also said this could be "subject to change." It explained: "This timing allows flexibility to evolve our flavor portfolio as needed, based on ever-changing market trends and consumer preferences." Will the flavor impress Coke's fans, though?

Daily Meal reviewed orange vanilla Coke for its 2019 debut. While opinions were mixed, those who liked it found the notes of orange Creamsicle unmistakable. It had strong vanilla flavoring up front, with the acidity of orange somewhat balancing the cola's sweetness.

The upcoming orange cream flavor is rumored to be smoother than the original orange vanilla Coke, reflecting the "cream" in its name. Leaning into that creaminess may impress consumers who found orange vanilla to be under-flavored compared to the already-strong taste of Coke. This could bring the profile closer to that of an orange Creamsicle float.

Coca-Cola is one of the biggest soda brands in the world, and even its long line of discontinued flavors rivals the production variety of many competitors. With an unceremonious discontinuation in 2022, orange vanilla Coke is considered lost to history. However, the promising arrival of orange cream Coke in early 2025 stands to not only continue that legacy but also potentially improve upon it — at least, for as long as it's around.