And it turned out that the reason for the shortage had nothing to do with Fresca, itself, but with the aluminum cans in which it's typically purchased by consumers. "The industry-wide aluminum can shortage is the main issue causing distribution and production delays for Fresca," Coca-Cola's Kate Hartman assured the Sun-Times and Fresca fans everywhere in August 2020.
Full Answer
Is Fresca out of stock in stores?
Fresca has been nearly impossible to find in stores since mid-2020. Even major retailers who have priority like Amazon and Walmart have been out of stock for months. You’re wondering if Fresca will be back. Is there a fresca shortage in 2021?
Why is there a Fresca shortage?
There are three main shortages affecting the Fresca shortage and other beverage manufacturing. Aluminum is in short supply because of the high demand for sodas in cans. This is because more people are working from home and are buying canned sodas at home.
Why is Fresca hard to find?
Then, Fresca was suddenly difficult — or nearly impossible — to find. The coronavirus pandemic made it hard to find a number of foods, including beverages, due to an unexpected aluminum can shortage, and a shortage of CO2. Luckily, those shortages are over, and Fresca is back.
Why did Coca-Cola introduce Fresca?
When Fresca was first introduced by the Coca-Cola company back in 1967, the marketing team was searching for a way help consumers to distinguish, and perceive the added value represented by, Fresca — versus its recently released zero-calorie, cola-flavored older-sibling, Tab.
Where can I buy Fresca?
Fresca is still hard to find in cans. But, there are many retailers that have 2 liter bottles of Fresca in stock. Here are a few common places:
When will the Fresca shortage be over?
The increased demand for aluminum is still causing issues for all beverage manufacturers as of October 2021. As a result, it’s not certain when your favorite canned beverage will be back, including Fresca. In other words, don’t hold your breath for Fresca in cans.
Alternatives during the Fresca shortage
Considering how popular Fresca is, there are not many similar alternatives. I could only find these alternatives that have the same combination of full-flavor, sugar free grapefruit:
Other diet citrus alternatives
While they won’t taste like Fresca, there are several citrus-flavored diet sodas that might work for you until the Fresca shortage is over. Most of these are some combination of lemon, lime and orange flavors. They’ll likely be missing the bitter flavor characteristic of grapefruit, but will have the citrus punch.
Shortages affecting beverages
There are three main shortages affecting the Fresca shortage and other beverage manufacturing.
Other beverages in short supply
One of the hardest hit categories of beverages has been caffeine free versions of major sodas such as Caffeine Free Coca-Cola and Pepsi Caffeine Free. Both of these have been temporarily suspended.
Homemade Fresca
Here is a way you can make your own Fresca using Sodastream's diet grapefruit mix.
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Fresca Soda, Sparkling Flavored, Original Citrus, Fridge Pack, 144 Fl. Oz. With Other Natural Flavors.
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Fresca Soda, Sparkling Flavored, Original Citrus, Fridge Pack, 144 Fl. Oz. With Other Natural Flavors.
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From the manufacturer
Fresca (meaning 'fresh' in Spanish) was introduced by the Coca-Cola Company in the United States in 1966. Since then, Fresca's citrus-flavored sodas have been sold to markets all over the world.
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Fresca fans have Tab to thank for their bubbly grapefruit-flavored fix
For the fact that Fresca even exists today, Fresca fans have the original on-trend sugar-free slash diet slash low-sugar slash zero-sugar soda to thank: " Tab " (stylized as "TaB" for purposes of its logo, may it rest in power, via Snopes ). Fresca was the second artificially sweetened soda launched by The Coca-Cola Company.
Fresca was marketed as both a beverage and a mixer
When Fresca was first introduced in test markets, Coca-Cola decided to take a novel approach to winning over new consumers. In fact, Coca-Cola decided to take Fresca in a completely different direction — by marketing the citrus-flavored beverage not as an alternative to soda at all, except insofar as sparkling water is considered a soda.
Fresca has an interesting relationship with winter weather
When Fresca was first introduced by the Coca-Cola company back in 1967, the marketing team was searching for a way help consumers to distinguish, and perceive the added value represented by, Fresca — versus its recently released zero-calorie, cola-flavored older-sibling, Tab.
Fresca had a launch party at one of New York City's swankiest spots
When "Fresca was ready for the big time," Coca-Cola writes on its webpage devoted to Fresca's origin story, only one venue seemed to represent the brand's new beverage properly, and that was New York City.
The original sugar-free formulation for Fresca has changed over the years
Diet soda is as popular as it is controversial, according to Healthline. One reason for the ongoing controversy is that while diet soda adds no sugar, calories, or carbs to one's diet, it does offer a generous helping of manufactured artificial sweeteners made from various chemicals that can be disconcertingly difficult to pronounce.
The truth about those rumors of "sugar-sweetened" Fresca
Just like everything else, Fresca is not above becoming the topic of misinformation and fake news. Here and there over the years, there has been talk of Coca-Cola having come up with a sugar-sweetened Fresca.
Fresca is not actually flavored seltzer, although you'd be forgiven for thinking as much
The way that Fresca has sought to characterize itself has evolved quite a bit over the years, with the latest iteration being as a sparkling "soda water" with the flavor of "Grapefruit Citrus." Characterizing Fresca not as a soda, per se, but flavored soda water, represents a subtle but nonetheless significant change from Fresca's penultimate iteration as a sparkling "flavored soda with other natural flavors." The "flavored soda" packaging was introduced in 2018 in a huge effort by Coca-Cola to "plot a comeback of sorts" for Fresca, according to a statement released by Coca-Cola at the time..
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Description
Fresca (meaning 'fresh' in Spanish) was introduced by the Coca-Cola Company in the United States in 1966. Since then, Fresca's citrus-flavored sparkling soda waters have been sold to markets all over the world. Grapefruit Citrus is a no-sugar, no-caffeine, no-calorie beverage.
My New Fav
My new favorite. I love the fact that it’s not packed with sugar and is full of flavor
I love Fresca and
I love Fresca and have been drinking it for years. It can be difficult to find, though. I wish more stores carried it.
Light fruity flavor. I
Light fruity flavor. I like as a change but not an everyday go to. It isn’t always easy to find in my area
This a classic drink!
This a classic drink! I remember growing up with this! And as an adult realizing it was a diet drink I was very surprised because it never tasted “diet”! Love it!
Where Can I Buy Fresca?
Alternatives During The Fresca Shortage
- Considering how popular Fresca is, there are not many similar alternatives. I could only find these alternatives that have the same combination of full-flavor, sugar free grapefruit: 1. Wegmans Diet Wedge. Wegmans makes Wedge Diet soda that comes in plain grapefruit but also combos with grapefruit. It’s normally available in cans but looks like only 2 liter bottles are available. The four …
Other Diet Citrus Alternatives
- While they won’t taste like Fresca, there are several citrus-flavored diet sodas that might work for you until the Fresca shortage is over. Most of these are some combination of lemon, lime and orange flavors. They’ll likely be missing the bitter flavor characteristic of grapefruit, but will have the citrus punch. 1. Diet Sun Drop. A lesser known competitor to 7up and Sprite. Sun Drop has b…
Shortages Affecting Beverages
- There are three main shortages affecting the Fresca shortage and other beverage manufacturing. Aluminum is in short supply because of the high demand for sodas in cans. This is because more people are working from home and are buying canned sodas at home. The flip side of this is a major drop in the demand for sodas syrups in fountain machines beca...
Other Beverages in Short Supply
- One of the hardest hit categories of beverages has been caffeine free versions of major sodas such as Caffeine Free Coca-Cola and Pepsi Caffeine Free. Both of these have been temporarily suspended. Read other stories I wrote about major beverage shortages: 1. Caffeine Free Coca-Cola 2. Coke Zero 3. Pepsi Caffeine Free Other flavors have also been suspended such as Cherr…