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A Nostalgic Pour
Back in 1985, Coca‑Cola shook up the soda aisle with Cherry Coke—think your classic Coke with a cheeky cherry twist. A year later, Diet Cherry Coke arrived to satisfy calorie‑conscious fans. Fast‑forward to July 2025, and Coca‑Cola is reviving this cult favorite for a limited run, complete with the bold retro packaging you remember.
What We Know So Far
According to Soda Seekers, Diet Cherry Coke hits shelves in July, sporting a can and bottle design “nearly identical to the late‑’80s look.” While official photos are still under wraps, leaks on X.com have already got enthusiasts marking their calendars—and planning to buy it by the case.
Fan Buzz & Flashback Packaging
Instagram aficionados at Snackolator shared, “I am way too excited… Diet Cherry Coke is returning for a limited time with retro packaging!”. The vintage red-and-white logo feels like a direct portal back to arcades, mall soda fountains, and mixtapes on cassette.
Behind the Bubbles: Business & Rankings
Coca‑Cola remains a soft‑drink titan. As of Q1 2025, it reported solid earnings—detailed in this earnings call transcript—and secured the top spot among the world’s most valuable soft‑drink brands at $98.7 billion. Diet Coke sticks in the top ten too, just behind Monster and ahead of Fanta, according to market data.
Flavor First: Health, Wellness, and What’s Next
During the same earnings call, CEO James Quincey emphasized taste above all—even as Coke explores probiotics and “functional” ingredients. “At the end of the day, they generally want their beverages to taste good,” he remarked. You can dive deeper into Coke’s wellness strategy in our sister piece on plant‑powered drinks over at NerdNet’s Huxley Energy Drinks taste test.
Is This Just the Beginning?
With nostalgic flavors like Diet Cherry Coke making a splash, could we see other ’80s and ’90s soda spin‑offs return? Fans petitioning to resurrect TaB aren’t giving up hope—tens of thousands have already signed. If Coca‑Cola’s July drop sells out, don’t be surprised to see more retro revivals lining grocery‑store shelves.
Come July, grab a case of Diet Cherry Coke, kick back, and taste a slice of soda history—because sometimes, the best innovations are the ones that bring back what we’ve always loved. And if you’re hungry for more beverage deep dives, stick with NerdNet for the freshest reviews and taste tests.
