Iced tea enthusiasts in Canada have been buzzing with questions lately. Rumors swirled that Nestea, a beloved iced tea brand, was disappearing from shelves, while Coca-Cola announced the launch of its new Fuze Iced Tea. But what’s really going on? Here’s the scoop.
First, the good news: Nestea isn’t going away permanently. While the brand may be temporarily unavailable during a transition period, it will return by summer 2025 under new ownership. Keurig Dr Pepper Canada has acquired the licensing rights previously held by Coca-Cola. In a statement, the company said, “Nestea is stepping into an exciting new era as part of the Keurig Dr Pepper Canada family. Full distribution of Canada’s favourite iced tea brand will resume by summer 2025.”
However, there’s a twist. While Keurig Dr Pepper Canada now owns the Nestea brand, Coca-Cola retains the rights to the original Nestea recipe. This means the Nestea you know and love might not taste the same when it returns.
Coca-Cola has introduced Fuze Iced Tea as its new iced tea offering in Canada, and here’s the kicker: it’s made using the exact same recipe as the original Nestea. According to Coca-Cola, Fuze Iced Tea is crafted with the same ingredients, sourced from the same suppliers, and produced in the same Canadian facilities where Nestea was made for decades.
“The beloved taste that Canadians have enjoyed for decades is a recipe proudly created and owned by Coca-Cola,” said Phil Cox, general manager of Coca-Cola Canada. “We’re launching Fuze Iced Tea in Canada using this exact recipe to ensure Canadians continue to enjoy that iconic iced tea flavour they grew up with.”
While Fuze Iced Tea carries on the legacy of Nestea’s classic flavor, it’s unclear what formula Keurig Dr Pepper Canada will use for its ready-to-drink Nestea beverages. Nestlé, which owns the Nestea brand, will continue to manage the powdered mix, but the future of the bottled and canned versions remains a mystery.
Coca-Cola’s Fuze Iced Tea is already hitting shelves across Canada, available in five flavors:
- Lemon
- Lemon Zero Sugar
- Raspberry
- White Peach
- Lemon Green Tea
A nationwide marketing campaign is set to roll out this year to promote the new product.
For now, it seems that Fuze Iced Tea is essentially the same as Nestea in terms of taste and recipe, just under a different name. Meanwhile, Nestea fans will have to wait until summer 2025 to see what Keurig Dr Pepper Canada has in store for the brand’s revival.
So, if you’re craving that classic iced tea flavor, Fuze might just be your new go-to. But keep an eye out for Nestea’s return—it’s bound to stir up the iced tea scene once again.