Pepsi is a brand beloved around the globe, and prides itself on its ability to deliver authenticity through delivering new and exciting regionally-specific flavors to surprise and delight its consumer base. Pepsi recently launched the latest edition of the Pepsi China Cola Series, adding a third flavor to the lineup of local flavor innovations available for purchase only in China, created specifically for Chinese consumers’ palates and preferences. Tapping into the increasing trend of local and national pride, this new extended product line aims to acquire new consumers while enhancing both Pepsi brand love and preference among the younger generations of Chinese consumers.

The latest offering is Bamboo and Pomelo, which has a refreshing taste and pleasant complexity that complements the cola flavor. White pomelo adds bright citrus top notes, and bamboo provides a refreshing hint of earthiness. The combination of bamboo and pomelo is a delightfully unexpected flavor profile for the beverage category, and one that was the clear winner in consumer research.

One of the previously launched flavors, Osmanthus, is a mellow but distinct Eastern flavor traditionally found in herbal beverages and baked goods. The other flavor, White Peach Oolong, mingles the fruity flavor of white peach essence with the familiar tastes of oolong and Pepsi-Cola. All three Pepsi China Cola Series flavors play with the refreshing sparkling palate of Pepsi in an exciting fusion that brings together tradition and modernity in a taste.

To design packaging as original as the flavor, the Design team blended traditional Chinese and Eastern styles to create a distinct aesthetic. The Bamboo and Pomelo design features illustrated bamboo stalks in a verdant green, and softer green pomelo fruits appear at the top and bottom of the can. The Osmanthus cans feature delicate, gold hued Osmanthus flowers that appear textured. The Peach Oolong cans don soft and stylized peaches and luscious leaves that create an aesthetically pleasing pattern.

Pink, green and gold colors, uncharacteristic of Chinese art style, are incorporated in each of the illustrations to represent the merging of modern and traditional. The illustrations mimic the style of traditional Chinese Gongbi (工笔) paintings through the use of fine brushstrokes. Additionally, the lock-up in the second panel is modeled after architectural elements traditionally found in door inscriptions and windows.

The ultimate hope is that the Osmanthus and White Peach Oolong flavors resonate with Pepsi consumers across the China region as a refreshing beverage choice that encourages them to explore and embrace new possibilities for the rediscovery of traditional local culture.