Lipton’s Peach Ice Tea recently sparked a significant debate on social media after the brand made an unexpected announcement to discontinue the beloved flavor on March 18, 2025. This controversial decision was quickly followed by a retraction just hours later, leading to widespread confusion and frustration among fans. The initial Instagram post featured a whimsical image of a peach-flavored tea can adorned with angel wings, alongside the jarring announcement.
The news generated considerable buzz once it hit X (formerly Twitter), particularly through PopBase’s dissemination of the details. Fans were quick to express their outrage, flooding the post with comments that captured their disbelief.
In response, many users echoed sentiments of disappointment:
“Nobody laughed.”
Although Lipton assured its customers that the Peach Ice Tea flavor would remain available, confusion lingered. Critics took to social media, labeling the stunt as unnecessary, with some pointing out its absurdity.
“The emotional rollercoaster was unnecessary, Lipton,” one user remarked.
“We went through all five stages of grief for NOTHING,” another user humorously claimed.
“The whole thing is fishy. It was probably all an advertising scheme to promote Lipton and get people talking. Guess it worked. Why play an April Fools joke in March,” one observer questioned.
Theories emerged suggesting that the whole episode might have been a strategy to gauge consumer interest in the flavor or to promote alternative varieties.
“They definitely were going to get rid of it, but backtracked because of everyone complaining online lol,” one commenter speculated.
“This was definitely a stunt to see if people cared about their peach tea, and since they do now, they’re like we will keep it,” another added.
Criticism also focused on the questionable timing of the announcement.
“April Fools? We’re in March.. and it’s the 19th…,” tweeted one user.
“There’s literally no such thing as an early April Fool’s joke, please pack it up Lipton…,” another user commented.
One tweet even drew a parallel to Duolingo’s recent marketing tactics, comparing Lipton’s approach to a similar campaign gone viral.
“They went to the Duolingo school of marketing,” noted one user.
Despite the uproar, some fans turned to humor, using the incident to call for the discontinuation of other flavors.
“Thank god… now discontinue Lemon flavor instead,” requested one user.
“They taste like medicine anyways,” chimed in another.
The Original Announcement by Lipton
On March 18, Lipton’s Instagram introduced the Peach Ice Tea can with angel wings and a caption declaring:
“REST IN PEACH.”
The brand’s message indicated the flavor would be retired, expressing regret for “ruining your go-to afternoon chill bev,” and hinting at the potential for a future return. Accompanies by the hashtag #RIPeach, the post even joked about forming a “support group” for fans.
Unfortunately, the announcement lacked clear indications of its satirical nature, leading many followers to believe that the Peach Ice Tea was truly being removed, generating responses like:
Lipton’s Follow-Up and the Unresolved Issues
Less than a day later, Lipton attempted to clarify the situation by posting:
“Oops, is it still March? Got my dates mixed up… thought it was April Fools already!”
The brand reassured fans that Peach Ice Tea would remain on the market, hinting at possible future surprises for those who reacted positively. However, the follow-up communication avoided a direct apology, opting instead to offer incentives to select loyal customers.
With phrases like “Your love for Peach has not gone unnoticed,” accompanied by a winking emoji, Lipton tried to pivot the narrative. Nonetheless, some fans expressed their dissatisfaction through comments.
As of now, Lipton has yet to directly address concerns regarding the timing of their campaign and its emotional toll on consumers, focusing instead on maintaining customer loyalty and engagement.
While Lipton’s Peach Ice Tea continues to be available for purchase, the misstep on March 18 has left a bittersweet impression for many fans. Although the brand succeeded in creating a buzz, this incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between playful marketing strategies and preserving consumer trust. In light of recent events, customers are encouraged to verify important updates through official channels rather than relying solely on social media.