Sprite, the iconic lemon-lime soda introduced by Coca-Cola in 1961, has become synonymous with refreshing taste and vibrant energy. Originally launched under the name "Fanta Klare Zitrone," Sprite quickly gained popularity due to its crisp, fresh lemon flavor. Over the years, the brand’s visual identity has evolved, with the logo reflecting its sense of freshness, energy, and fun. The evolution of the Sprite logo mirrors the beverage's vibrant, lively persona, constantly adapting to modern tastes while staying true to its roots.

Sprite Logo History

1961–1964: The Early Years

The original Sprite logo, introduced in 1961, was designed to capture the essence of freshness and excitement. The wordmark featured bold, green letters with long, sharp serifs that gave the design an edgy, dynamic feel. The "I" in "Sprite" was marked by an eight-pointed star in lime-green, emphasizing the drink's refreshing and zesty nature. The design was simple but effective, drawing attention with its clean lines and distinctive shapes.

1964–1974: Bold Red and Green

In 1964, the logo underwent a significant color update. The red and green color scheme added vibrancy to the design, symbolizing the energy and freshness associated with the beverage. The enlarged star became bolder and was colored red, complementing the vertical bar of the “I” in the wordmark. This version of the logo was more eye-catching and reinforced Sprite’s position as a lively, youthful drink.

1974–1989: A Smooth, Modern Typeface

A major redesign in 1974 introduced a smoother, sans-serif font. The diagonal placement of the wordmark added movement and a sense of action, aligning with the brand’s energetic image. The color scheme returned to green for the text, with a solid red dot replacing the star above the “I.” The new typeface featured softer angles and bold lines, creating a modern, clean look that made the logo more versatile and appealing to a wider audience.

1989–1995: The Iconic Lemon

In 1989, Sprite unveiled one of its most memorable logo iterations. The “I” in the wordmark was replaced with a two-layered image of a lime and lemon, placed horizontally above the letter. This version is widely recognized and remains one of the most iconic logos in Sprite's history. The light green wordmark was bold and elegant, slightly italicized to give it a sense of motion. This logo visually captured the essence of Sprite’s lemon-lime flavor, making it instantly recognizable.

1995–2003: Abstract Citrus Emblem

By 1995, the logo was updated with a more abstract take on the citrus theme. The lime and lemon icon was replaced with two overlapping circles, symbolizing the fresh, zesty flavor of Sprite in a more minimalist way. The background was a gradient mix of green and blue with a striped pattern, giving the logo a more dynamic and modern look. Although this version of the logo was used for a few years, it still carried the brand's refreshing, fun energy.

2002–2005: Sharper Lines and a New Dot

In 2002, the font of the wordmark was sharpened, with more distinct angles and bold shadowing. The letters became more dynamic, and the lime-lemon dot above the "I" was redesigned to be sleeker and smoother. This iteration introduced a horizontal version of the logo, with a thick blue outline and a lime overlapping a larger lemon above the "I."

2004–2009: Horizontal Placement and New Citrus

In 2004, the logo was rearranged to a horizontal layout, with the lettering now outlined in thicker blue lines. The lime-lemon icon above the "I" was refined and placed horizontally as well, making the design feel more balanced and cohesive. The font remained unchanged, but the new arrangement gave the logo a more modern and approachable feel.

2008–2021: Refined and Simplified

The 2008 redesign refined the wordmark and placed it in a gradient badge with six-pointed angles. The smooth, white letters were outlined in dark blue, giving the logo a fresh, polished appearance. The lemon icon above the "I" was oversized and more prominent, with the bottom part colored green to emphasize the drink’s lemon-lime flavor. This version of the logo captured Sprite’s signature brightness and energy.

In 2014, the logo was further simplified, eliminating the gradient and glossy textures in favor of a flat green and white design. The large lemon remained above the "I," reinforcing Sprite’s citrus theme without the need for extra visual effects.

2018–2022: Simplicity and Freshness

In 2018, Sprite further simplified its logo by removing the lemon icon entirely, leaving just the clean, modern wordmark. The logo retained its fresh, youthful look, with minimalistic touches that kept it relevant in an evolving market.

2019–2022: New Color Palette and Refined Dot

In 2019, the logo's colors were reversed, with the white wordmark now appearing on a sharp green badge. The iconic lemon icon was replaced by a solid yellow dot, maintaining the connection to the drink’s flavor while simplifying the overall design.

2022–Today: The Simplified Wordmark

The most recent redesign in 2022 further simplified the logo, using a solid green wordmark placed horizontally. The dot above the "I" was moved closer to the vertical bar, creating a subtle "smiling" effect. The typeface remained similar to previous versions, with slight refinements to the curves of the lowercase "R" and other letter details, offering a clean and modern look that represents Sprite’s ongoing evolution while staying true to its iconic identity.

Sprite’s logo evolution is a testament to the brand’s adaptability and commitment to freshness. Each redesign has maintained the beverage’s core identity of crisp, citrus flavor while updating the logo to stay relevant in a changing marketplace.