Sprite launched in 1961 as Coca-Cola's lemon-lime soft drink brand.
The brand was introduced in the United States to compete in the growing lemon-lime soda market, including against 7 Up. Its clear appearance, crisp citrus flavor, and distinctive name gave Coca-Cola a product that extended its portfolio beyond the flagship cola.
Sprite's branding developed through a recognizable green-and-blue visual identity and a mascot named Sprite Boy in earlier Coca-Cola promotions. Sprite Boy was a separate character from later Sprite advertising and is sometimes confused with the brand's modern youth-oriented campaigns.
The drink's launch date also distinguishes it from Fresca, another Coca-Cola citrus beverage introduced earlier, in 1966. Sprite became one of Coca-Cola's largest global brands and is now sold in many countries with market-specific formulations and packaging.