Lilt was a brand of soft drink manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company and sold only in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Gibraltar.

Lilt
TypeSoft drink
ManufacturerThe Coca-Cola Company
Country of origin United Kingdom
Introduced1974
Discontinued2023 (rebranded as Fanta Pineapple and Grapefruit)
IngredientsCarbonated water
Pineapple and grapefruit fruit juices from concentrate
Citric acid
Sodium citrate
Aspartame
Acesulfame K
Saccharin
Websitecoca-cola.co.uk/brands/lilt (Great Britain)
coca-cola.ie/brands/lilt (Ireland)

History

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From the 1970s until its dissolution in 2023, Lilt was promoted with the advertising slogan "totally tropical taste."

This famous catchphrase was created by Ken Howlett, who entered a magazine competition and won second prize receiving a ghetto blaster. First prize was a trip to the Caribbean.[citation needed]

Between 2008 and 2014, The Coca-Cola Company reduced the number of calories in the drink by 56% as part of its efforts to make healthier products in response to the British Government's Public Health Responsibility Deal.[1] The amount of sugar was also reduced alongside the addition of artificial sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame K and saccharin).

One advertisement in the late 1980s featured the "Lilt Man", a parody of a milkman, delivering Lilt in a "Lilt float", with a song bearing the lyrics "Here comes the Lilt Man." In the late 1990s, it was heavily promoted with advertisements featuring two Jamaican women, Blanche Williams and Hazel Palmer, with one advert parodying a Levi's advert. They became known in the media as the "Lilt Ladies".[2]

In February 2023, it was announced that the Lilt brand would be discontinued, with the drink being fully absorbed into the Fanta brand as 'Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit' in all markets.[3][4] The rebranded drink became available from 14 February.[5]

Contrary to claims made by various news outlets, Lilt has never been sold in the Seychelles.[6][7]

Products

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Name Year
launched
Notes
Lilt Pineapple and Grapefruit 1974 Original flavour.
Lilt Zero Pineapple and Grapefruit 1987 Sugar-free version of the original Lilt. Previously known as "Diet Lilt" (1987–2000s), "Lilt Light" (2000s–2005) and "Lilt Z" (2005–2006). Became Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit Zero Sugar in 2023.
Lilt Mango and Mandarin 1996 Mango and Mandarin flavoured variety. Discontinued in the early 2000s.
Lilt Banana and Peach 2003[8] Banana and Peach flavoured variety. Discontinued in the mid-2000s.
Lilt Mango Flavour 2011[9] Mango flavoured variety. Was exclusively sold in cans at most newsagents and independent convenience stores. Discontinued in 2015.

References

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  1. ^ "UK Coca Cola adopts color coded labeling with nutritional information". MercoPress. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Lilt drink brand to be scrapped after 50 years and rebranded". BBC News. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  3. ^ Leonard-Bedwell, Niamh. "Lilt axed by Coca-Cola after nearly 50 years". The Grocer. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  4. ^ "Lilt pulled from shelves after 48 years, replaced by Fanta Pineapple and Grapefruit". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  5. ^ "Lilt has vanished from UK, rebranded as a totally tropical Fanta". Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  6. ^ "Coca-Cola - our brands". The Coca-Cola Company. Archived from the original on 7 February 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2007.
  7. ^ "Sey-Brew | Our brands". Seychelles Breweries. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Redesign of Lilt drink in the can". 3 July 2003.
  9. ^ "UK Food & Drink Industry news & events, seminars, and conferences".