Coca-Cola representatives handed out free samples of their new soda flavor outside the Skutt Student Center on Wednesday. Running the event was Teri Loneman, the market development manager for Coca-Cola. 

The event took place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Loneman and her partner asking students to try the company’s new drink flavor. 

The drink, called Starlight, is space-inspired. In its press release, Coca-Cola said the beverage creates “notes reminiscent of stargazing around a campfire” and “a cooling sensation that evokes the feeling of a cold journey to space.” 

The new flavor is meant to cater specifically to members of Generation X. 

Despite the company’s description, students on Creighton’s campus had many different interpretations of the taste. 

“We’ve heard a variety of different things,” said Loneman, with participants mentioning flavors like buttered popcorn, coffee and coffee creamer. Loneman herself described it as “cherry-vanilla-esque”. 

Roshan Raj, a senior in the Heider College of Business, enjoyed the new drink and said he would purchase it if given the chance. 

“It kind of reminds me of a sugar cereal,” he said, describing it as sweet and marshmallow-flavored. 

Not everyone had a positive response to the Starlight flavor. Mohamed Hamza, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, described the drink as being “very sweet”. 

“[It] has an aftertaste of medicine,” Hamza said after trying it for the first time. He said he would not try the drink flavor again. 

Participants who did not enjoy the Starlight flavor will soon have another opportunity to try a new Coca-Cola drink. Loneman visits Creighton’s campus four times a semester, bringing experimental products or flavors for students to try. 

Loneman said that Coca-Cola will soon discontinue the Starlight flavor and will then introduce another new flavor called Dreamer. 

“I’m sure in August or September, we’ll come back with another tasting,” said Loneman. 

Anyone interested in trying the limited-release Starlight flavor should do so before it leaves the market. Customers can use the Coca-Cola website to find availability in their region, along with descriptions of different flavors. 

Customers can also visit the company’s Creations webpage to find interactive Starlight content including Samsung emojis, Instagram filters and even a video performance by singer-songwriter Ava Max.