Coca-Cola Just Announced It Plans To Bring Back This Popular ’80s Soda

When I read the novel Emma, I like to think that the line “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more” is about Diet Coke. Maybe Jane Austen was 150 years ahead of her time.

Yes, I love Diet Coke. In all forms, too. I know a lot of people think that Diet Coke in a plastic 20-ounce bottle is somehow inferior, and I say: Inferior to what? Certainly not Pepsi.

The absolute best variety of Diet Coke is a flavor that hasn’t been around in years: Diet Cherry Coke.

Guess what? It’s coming back!

This is extraordinary news. I get excited when I order fast food and see Cherry Coke as an option for a fountain drink, because then I can combine one half Cherry Coke with one half Diet Coke. It’s a workaround to get that perfect cherry taste without too much sweetness while also enjoying the crispness of Diet Coke.

Diet Cherry Coke also lives on in Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, though sadly, I don’t often come across them in the wild.

Why Did Diet Cherry Coke Disappear?

When Diet Cherry Coke first appeared on the shelves in 1986, it was a smash hit! In 2005, Cherry Coke Zero appeared in stores because men didn’t want to drink something labeled “diet”—this is 100% true, and it’s even on Coca-Cola’s own website.

Then, in 2018, Diet Cherry Coke was replaced with something called “Diet Coke Fiesty Cherry,” which was served in a tall, slim can. In 2020, after a difficult pandemic year, Diet Cherry Coke quietly disappeared after a beautiful 30-year run. (Of course, regular Cherry Coke has been available consistently since its 1985 debut.)

Now, in response to fan demand, Coca-Cola is bringing Diet Cherry Coke back for summer. The best part is that it will have retro packaging for maximum ’80s nostalgia. Some people are saying that this will be the ultimate summer status item to flaunt on social media. (It’s me, I’m “people.”)

Where to Find Diet Cherry Coke

If you want to buy Diet Cherry Coke, plan ahead. According to a spokesperson from The Coca-Cola Company, the flavor will be available exclusively at Kroger stores beginning in mid-July 2025. The spokesperson didn’t confirm how long Diet Cherry Coke will be around, only that it would be for “a limited time only.”

If you are blessed enough to have a pantry, it’s time to line it with Diet Cherry Coke.