7UP is going retro with its newest drink flavor.
The soda brand has launched its version of the Shirley Temple, a classic drink that combines a citrusy soda and pomegranate-flavored grenadine syrup, topped with a maraschino cherry.
The product is aimed at trends among younger adults in the U.S., according to parent company Keurig Dr Pepper.
“The opportunity for nostalgic flavors has never been timelier, and consumers, especially millennial and Gen Z consumers, are seeking beverages that can deliver a little sip of both,” Keurig Dr Pepper said in a statement.
7UP ’s Shirley Temple mixes 7UP with cherry and pomegranate flavoring to produce a light red beverage, and is available at retailers nationwide through December 31.
7UP is the third brand to debut a Shirley Temple flavor in the past year. Probiotic soda, poppi, released its version in late December. Fast-food chain Arby’s launched a Sprite-based Shirley Temple in August.
In August, 7UP underwent a brand overhaul that included a lime-forward adjustment change to its soda recipe.
The updated recipe may be linked to a Keurig Dr Pepper study earlier this year that found 72 percent of Gen Alpha and Z consumers prefer citrus-forward flavors.
As 7UP works to stay relevant with younger consumers, its share of the lemon-lime soda market is small. Competitor Sprite has a 9 percent share compared to 7UP’s 1 percent.
Among all soda brands in the U.S., Coca-Cola is the most popular brand, followed by Pepsi, Sprite, Dr Pepper and Canada Dry, according to an August survey of more than 21,700 consumers by polling firm YouGov. 7UP is the sixth most popular soda, just ahead of Coca-Cola Zero and A&W root beer, the survey found.
Earlier this month, Pepsi’s CEO Ramon Laguarta sounded the alarm over his company’s declining sales.
"We do not feel good about the beverage business," he said, after Pepsi reported a 2 percent drop in North American sales.
Keurig Dr Pepper had far better results in its most recent earnings report. Sales were up 10 percent for U.S. beverages, which includes energy and hydration drinks, and sodas such as Dr Pepper, ginger drink Canada Dry, A&W, cola RC, and fruit-flavored soda Crush.
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