Pepsi’s Holiday 2026 Flavors Have Fans Saying The Same Thing

Yes, it’s still September, but the holidays are coming — and we just found out that Pepsi’s annual holiday soda flavor is about to debut. And this year, the beloved soda brand is going sweet instead of slightly spiced (yes, we still wish Pepsi Holiday Spice would return, even though it’s been decades).

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While this festive flavor is fresh and new for Pepsi’s soda lineup, fans have noticed that the upcoming release is actually quite familiar. In fact, it’s one you might recognize from both Pepsi’s prior flavors and a contentious competitor’s own recent holiday soda releases.

Pepsi’s New Vanilla & Cream Holiday Soda Looks Pretty Familiar

For the 2026 holiday season, Pepsi is introducing a soda flavor that’s right on trend with all of the dirty sodas and cream-infused beverages that are popping up everywhere. This winter, you’ll get the chance to crack open a can of Pepsi Vanilla & Cream.

We first learned about Pepsi Vanilla & Cream when news of the flavor leaked back in April. And the rumors proved true: Pepsi is planning to debut the vanilla- and cream-blended flavor ahead of the winter holidays. It’s expected that Vanilla & Cream will hit stores in late October, and it’ll be available in a 12-pack of cans as well as 20-ounce bottles. Plus, you’ll be able to pick up regular Vanilla & Cream as well as a Zero Sugar formulation.

Pepsi Vanilla & Cream will feature a heavy cream element with the original Pepsi formula, plus a touch of strong, smooth-tasting vanilla. And if you’re thinking that flavor profile sounds awfully familiar, you’re not alone.

Fans are calling this new seasonal spin on Pepsi a knockoff of Coca-Cola’s very own holiday flavor from 2025. Pepsi’s Vanilla & Cream sure seems like a direct response to Coca-Cola Holiday Creamy Vanilla… which was also available in regular and zero sugar varieties.

Soda enthusiasts are calling out the Pepsi copycat, dropping comments online like “It’s duplicating what Coke did last year” and “I wonder where Pepsi got that idea.” 

And it is difficult to overlook the similarities here.

Vanilla Fans Don’t Care: Pepsi Vanilla & Cream Is Likely to Be a Huge Hit

Regardless of whether or not Pepsi is straight-up copying Coca-Cola with its newest holiday iteration, we’re excited about Pepsi Vanilla & Cream — and we’re not alone.

When news of Pepsi’s newest addition hit the internet, plenty of soda drinkers were thrilled. “YES!!!!! Vanilla Pepsi is my favorite version of Pepsi!,” said one commenter. (And I completely agree, because Vanilla is one of my never-skip Pepsi flavors.)

Others were equally excited, remarking, “The fact that Pepsi Vanilla is coming back even with Cream in the mixture, I’m looking forward to it. If Pepsi Vanilla and Cream is a hit, Coca-Cola will have problems.” And another commenter noted, “Finally!!…. Wonder if this will be comparable to the Vanilla Pepsi back in the day??”

Either way, I’m absolutely going to pick up a 12-pack of this limited-time release. Vanilla Pepsi was always excellent, and if this seasonal soda spin is anywhere close to the original, then odds are Pepsi’s going to have trouble keeping up with the demand.