Sip of the Season

Lilly Davis - Reporter

 Every holiday season, several beverage manufacturers produce holiday or Winter Editions of their refreshments. Red Bull, Alani Nu, Sprite, Coca-Cola, and Celsius are several examples of well-loved drinks that pride themselves on their holiday flavors. While some stay consistent, others branch out with new and exciting flavors every Christmas season. 

   In 2013, Sprite changed the game with its Sprite Cranberry launch. Sprite Cranberry quickly became a holiday favorite. The sweet, tangy flavor mixes with the typical lemon-lime flavor of Sprite. It was originally meant to be a limited edition flavor, but it was such a big hit that they continued to bring it back. 

   Red Bull’s Winter Edition drink drops in November, exciting avid Red Bull enjoyers nationwide. Their brand-new Fuji Apple and Ginger flavor has a fruity, slightly spicy taste. They offer both a regular and a sugar-free version, making the drink accessible to those who are cutting sugar. While Red Bull breaks the traditional cranberry or pumpkin flavor production, it continues to satisfy and open new possibilities for holiday flavors.

   Alani Nu’s reinvented Winter Wonderland flavor features a subtle blend of frosted sugarplum and cranberry notes. Several Alani Nu enjoyers believe the new recipe has too strong an aftertaste. Even some stated, “it tasted too strongly of hand sanitizer.” Despite this, it is not uncommon to see the brand new flavor in the hands of Dyersburg High School students. 

   Other drinks that were highlighted were the Celsius and Coca-Cola, while their winter editions are not as recognized by the Christmas drink lovers. The Cola flavor has hints of warm vanilla, contrasting with the usual sharp caramel taste. The Celsius, however, has a citrusy, tangy taste, often described as “winter brushed” as it does not include the typical winter flavors found in most energy drinks.

   All in all, there is no debate that Christmas is an annual highlight for several beverage companies. New, exciting flavors give fans something to look forward to every year. Whether it be a refreshment to go with a quick snack, an energy drink to get you through the day or a classic Sprite Cranberry to go with a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, holiday refreshments are the best sip of the season.