LILT lovers will be disappointed to discover that after 50 years the iconic fizzy drink is being discontinued.
Owners of the tropical tipple made the announcement on January 13, 2023.
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Who owns Lilt?
Lilt is a brand of soft drink manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company.
The multinational beverage company first founded the fizzy drink in 1975, with the tagline: ”The Totally Tropical Taste”.
And it soon became a household name across the UK thanks to its advertising.
In the late 1980s, a television ad featured the “Lilt Man” – a parody of a milkman, delivering Lilt in a “Lilt float” on a Caribbean beach.
In the 1990s, a second ad followed featuring two Jamaican women, Blanche Williams and Hazel Palmer, who became widely known as the “Lilt Ladies”
Why is Lilt being discontinued?
The iconic drink is being taken off the shelves – but a new beverage will take its place.
Lilt is being replaced and relaunched under the new name – Fanta Pineapple and Grapefruit.
Despite the rebranding, the Fanta flavour is said to have “the same totally tropical taste” as Lilt.
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According to reports from The Grocer, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) said: “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.
“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.”
Martin Attock, Vice President of commercial development at Coca-Cola, explained that the main priority of the 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”.
He said: “It’s still bursting with tangy tropical flavours. It’s just got itself a new name.”
Will I still be able to buy Lilt?
As of February 14, 2023, the refreshed name and packaging will roll into stores.
Although Lilt will no longer be available to buy under the previous branding, customers will be able to get their hands on the new Fanta flavour bottles and cans as they gradually roll out across the UK.
