Lilt has been axed by Coca-Cola after nearly 50 years of production.
The cult favourite tropical fizzy drink will be relaunched immediately as Fanta Pineapple and Grapefruit.
New 330ml cans, 500ml bottles and two-litre bottles of the rebranded drink will roll into retailers on Tuesday. A zero-sugar version of the drink will also be available.
Soon after news of the brand change broke, social media was awash with fans of Lilt registering their dismay. “I refuse to believe that lilt will taste nearly as good out of a Fanta can,” said writer Steve O’Rourke.
Television presenter Paddy McGuinness was hurt by the decision. Referencing the touching dying words of the villain in the film Blade Runner, he tweeted: “All those moments will be lost in time. Like (clears throat) Lilt in rain. Time to die.”
“F*** this to hell. I love a Lilt. Gonna have to stockpile,” wrote one long-time fan of the soft drink. Podcast producer Carl Reigler wrote: “I don’t think I want to live in a world without Lilt in it. What’s the point anymore.”
Some viewed the news with a more rational eye. “30-somethings and 40-somethings who haven’t drunk Lilt since 1998 left devastated by today’s news,” wrote Martin Ross.
“Keen Lilt fans may have spotted a gradual transition as the drink has made its way into the Fanta family over the past few months, with changes to its packaging and logo,” said Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.
“Some have even hypothesised on social media that Lilt may be becoming part of the Fanta brand, and one even went as far as producing their own news broadcast-style video.”
CCEP GB VP of commercial development Martin Attock said: “Our main priority with this announcement is to reassure Lilt’s loyal fanbase that absolutely nothing has changed when it comes to the iconic taste of the drink they know and love.”
“It’s still bursting with tangy tropical flavours. It’s just got itself a new name.”
Successor: Fanta Pineapple and Grapefruit
(Coca-Cola)
Lilt made its UK debut in 1975 with the slogan: “The Totally Tropical Taste.”
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