Sprite was launched in 1961 as a lemon-lime soft drink.
The Coca-Cola Company introduced Sprite in the United States to compete in the growing lemon-lime soda category. Its clear appearance and crisp citrus flavor differentiated it from Coca-Cola’s dark cola. The brand name had been used earlier for a Coca-Cola advertising character, but the beverage itself became a major international soft drink brand after its 1961 launch.
Sprite’s marketing developed around refreshment, citrus flavor and youth-oriented advertising. Formulas and sweeteners differ across countries, as do package sizes and regional variants, but the core brand remains associated with lemon-lime flavor.
Sprite is sometimes confused with Mello Yello because both are Coca-Cola brands and both use citrus-focused branding. Mello Yello, however, is a separate citrus-flavored drink introduced later. Fanta is also separate, with fruit flavors led by orange in many markets.