Coca-Cola Brings Back Iconic Diet Cherry Coke with Retro Packaging
Coca-Cola is reviving one of its most beloved flavors—Diet Cherry Coke—for a limited time, bringing nostalgic excitement to longtime fans. The return also features retro packaging, giving consumers a throwback experience as the flavor hits store shelves across the U.S.
Diet Coke Still Holds Strong in the Cola Market
Despite Coca-Cola’s push toward Coke Zero Sugar, especially in younger markets, Diet Coke remains a top player. Globally in 2024, Diet Coke ranked as the ninth most valuable soft drink brand, with a brand value of $7.7 billion—just behind Monster and ahead of Fanta and Sprite, all of which are Coca-Cola brands.
Even as Coke Zero attempts to capture a more “classic” Coke flavor, Diet Coke has retained a loyal fan base, including high-profile names like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Its lighter, crisp taste—launched originally in 1982—continues to resonate with a broad audience.
A Flavorful Return: Diet Cherry Coke Is Back
Diet Cherry Coke, a fan-favorite spinoff, has been absent from shelves for years. Its comeback, confirmed by food influencer Snackolator, has sparked excitement online:
“I’m way too excited for this one — Diet Cherry Coke is returning for a limited time with retro packaging!”
Coca-Cola has experimented with a range of Diet Coke flavors over the years, including Lime, Vanilla, Ginger Lime, and Twisted Mango. But the return of Diet Cherry Coke marks a nostalgic moment for fans who remember the original 1980s variant.
Coke Zero vs. Diet Coke: What’s the Difference?
Though both Coke Zero Sugar and Diet Coke are sugar-free and calorie-free, Coca-Cola emphasizes the key difference is in the taste. Coke Zero is formulated to taste more like the original Coca-Cola, while Diet Coke has a distinct, lighter profile.
Coca-Cola Eyes Wellness Trends — But Taste Still Wins
As health-conscious trends grow, Coca-Cola has acknowledged the rise of “functional beverages,” including sodas with added probiotics or prebiotics. CEO James Quincey noted during the company’s Q1 2024 earnings call that while Coca-Cola will follow consumer interests in wellness, taste remains the top priority.
“At the end of the day, people want beverages that taste good,” said Quincey. “If consumers are willing to trade taste for added ingredients, we’ll follow that trend—but flavor will always come first.”
