Lilt fans 'fuming' as drink is axed after nearly 50 years

Lilt will reportedly be scrapped following a shake-up at owner Coca-Cola, leaving many fans absolutely gutted.

However, while bottles of the citrusy soft drink will no longer line shelves in the UK, it will still survive in a spiritual successor. According to produce publication The Grocer, the flavour of Lilt will be rebranded as a new Fanta flavour featuring pineapple and grapefruit.

The Grocer reported 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."

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VP of commercial development Martin Attock explained that the announcement was issued 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 added: "It's still bursting with tangy tropical flavours.

"It's just got itself a new name."

Despite this, many loyal Lilt drinkers expressed their remorse for the end of the soft drink's legacy. One Twitter user wrote: "Lilt has ben discontinued. I don't think I want to live in a world without Lilt in it. What's the point anymore."

Another user said: "Scrapping Lilt is a drsgrace. Fuming." A third user wrote: "Lilt is being axed after 50 years. I grew up loving that drink but the sugar tax destroyed its flavour and it now tastes foul. RIP Lilt".

A fourth wrote: "Get f***ed. Life ain't worth living without Lilt."

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