Coca-Cola brings back an iconic soda flavor 'permanently'

Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey was honest about his company's challenging operating market during its third-quarter earnings call.

"During the quarter, the operating landscape remained complex. While many consumers remain in overall good shape, certain segments of the population are under pressure due to varying factors. Some factors are transitory, like unseasonal weather. Others may be long-lasting, like the cumulative impact of inflationary pressures, uncertain trade dynamics, and an ever-changing geopolitical environment," he said.

Even with those challenges and the seemingly endless parade of new competitors entering the soda market (Ben Stiller literally introduced a soda brand in 2025), Coca-Cola has continued to deliver strong results.

"Despite this backdrop, we've delivered volume growth. July and August were slow to start, but September ended on a stronger note. Organic revenue growth continued to be at the high end of our long-term growth model, and ongoing efficiency and effectiveness initiatives drove comparable operating margin expansion. This led to a 6% comparable earnings per share growth despite 6% currency headwinds," he added.

As Coca-Cola heads into the new year, it's looking to jumpstart its sales by bringing back an old favorite soda flavor.

Coca-Cola has brought back sodas before

Bringing back a familiar brand or product can be a powerful move for a company.

“Companies delete brands for a variety of reasons, and consumers have historically protested those decisions, especially if they loved the brand,” Purvi Shah, associate professor of marketing in The Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) shared in a study called "Nostalgic Brand Love."

Her research focused on the cancellation and revival of Surge, a Coca-Cola product.

"Shah and her collaborators surveyed members of this Facebook fan group and found that by deleting Surge, the soda’s maker left fans feeling that they had lost the freedom to buy and drink their cherished soda. The deletion triggered nostalgic brand love and led to psychological reactance, which is a way of thinking and behaving when a person perceives a threat to their freedom," according to the study.

Now, Coke has listened to its audience and has revived an other brand. This time, unlike the Surge revival, it's meant to be permanent.

Coca-Cola brings back Diet Cherry Coke

"The Return of the King: Diet Cherry Coke returns in early 2026 and this time it's back permanently," shared the popular Snackolaor Instagram page. "I posted about this last month, but now have the artwork for the 20oz bottles and cans - I'm way too excited for the GOAT to come back and cannot wait to load up!"

Snackolator confirmed the return earlier this year, with a Coca-Cola representative a

"They confirmed this is a 'sustain' item which means it is intended to stick around (not a 'limited' flavor) so hopefully it sells well enough to stay FOREVER this time. And unlike the recent retro release at Kroger stores, this will be at ALL retailers," he wrote.

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The new Diet Cherry Coke will be sold in 20 oz. bottles and 12 packs.

"I don't think we're getting 2 liter bottles, but I'll update if they're coming too," he added.

Coca-Cola brought back DIet Cherry Coke in the United Kingdom earlier this year.

"With cherry reported as the flavour of the year, Diet Cherry Coke offers the same crisp taste of Diet Coke, now with a deliciously bold twist, just as the cosy season approaches. From an afternoon desk escape to a between-the-shops pause, or get-ready-with-me treat, Diet Cherry Coke is the cherry on top of Diet Coke breaks nationwide," the company shared in a press release at the time.

A timeline of Diet Coke

• 1985: Diet Cherry Coke is introduced by Coca-Cola in the U.S.
• 2006: Diet Cherry Coke is rebranded as Diet Coke Feisty Cherry in limited markets to refresh the product line.
  Source: Tasting Table
• 2007: Diet Coke Feisty Cherry discontinued, original flavor mostly gone from shelves.
  Source: Foodsided
• 2018: Coca-Cola reintroduces Diet Coke Cherry (part of the 2018 “flavored Diet Coke” lineup with four flavors).
• 2019–2020: Some regional variations and limited-edition runs (e.g., Zesty Blood Orange, Feisty Cherry) are phased out.
  Source Tasting Table
• 2026: Diet Chery Coke, not branded as Feisty Cherry, will be returning to store shelves.
  Source: Snackolator

Notable discontinued Diet Coke flavors

• Diet Coke Twisted Mango: Part of the 2018 flavor refresh; discontinued around 2020.
• Diet Coke Ginger Lime: Launched in 2018; phased out after a few years.
• Diet Coke Zesty Blood Orange: One of the four flavors introduced in 2018; later discontinued.
• Diet Coke Feisty Cherry: Introduced in 2018; its original form has since been discontinued.
• Diet Coke Blueberry Açaí: Added to the lineup in 2019; short-lived.
• Diet Coke Strawberry Guava: Another 2019 limited flavor that was removed.
• Diet Coke with Splenda: Discontinued in 2024.
• Diet Coke Vanilla: The diet vanilla version was discontinued in 2005.
• Diet Coke Black Cherry Vanilla: Introduced in 2006, discontinued around 2007.
  Source Tasting Table

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