Coca-Cola Starlight is a limited-edition variant of Coca-Cola. Introduced in 2022 as the first in the Coca-Cola Creations line, it was produced and distributed by The Coca-Cola Company and its bottlers. The beverage features a red color and a unique taste "inspired by space". In the United Kingdom, where it was a Zero Sugar variant, it was known as Coca-Cola Intergalactic.[1] In South Korea, it was also known as Coca-Cola Stardust. In Thailand, it was also known as Coca-Cola Starshine.

Coca-Cola Starlight

Bottle of Coca-Cola Starlight
Type	Cola
Manufacturer	The Coca-Cola Company
Country of origin	United States
Introduced	February 21, 2022
Discontinued	August 1, 2022
Color	Red
Variants	Coca-Cola Starlight Zero Sugar
Related products	Coca-Cola

History

The Coca-Cola Company announced the release of Coca-Cola Starlight on February 17, 2022. In a press statement, the company revealed the beverage has a "reddish hue" and that "Its taste includes additional notes reminiscent of stargazing around a campfire, as well as a cooling sensation that evokes the feeling of a cold journey to space." Oana Vlad, senior director for global brand strategy at the company, stated that the drink was inspired by Coca-Cola's partnership with NASA.[2] Coca-Cola Starlight was launched alongside Coca-Cola Creations, an innovation platform of The Coca-Cola Company focused on selling limited-edition flavors of Coca-Cola. It landed in North American stores on February 21, 2022, and is also sold in Coca-Cola Zero Sugar format.[2][3] It was discontinued on August 1, 2022[4] and succeeded by Coca-Cola Dreamworld later that month.^{[citation needed]}

Flavor

Prior to the release of Coca-Cola Starlight, there were speculations as to its flavor. Among them were raspberry (originating from a 2009 study that the center of the galaxy may taste like raspberries) and s'mores.[5][6]

Many have described the taste as similar to that of fruit, vanilla or cotton candy. Junk food review site Candy Hunting stated it "tastes like strawberry, marshmallow, and/or cotton candy".[7] Aly Walansky of Food Network wrote it tastes "kind of like minty cotton candy sprinkled with vanilla".[8]

References