Coca-Cola Cherry

Coca-Cola Cherry, originally marketed as Cherry Coke, is a flavored cola produced by The Coca-Cola Company and distributed through the company's bottling and vending network. It combines the company's standard cola formula with a cherry flavor profile and is sold in selected markets in cans, bottles, fountain service, and Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. The product is one of Coca-Cola's longest-running flavor extensions and helped establish flavored cola as a mainstream soft-drink category for the company. The product grew out of a long-standing soda-fountain practice. Before Coca-Cola introduced an official packaged cherry version, diners, drugstores, movie theaters, and other fountain operators commonly mixed cherry syrup with Coca-Cola at the point of sale. The company tested an official cherry-flavored cola, along with other flavors, at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. Further market testing preceded a national United States launch in the summer of 1985. At launch, Cherry Coke was only the third Coca-Cola product in the company's principal cola range, following Coca-Cola and Diet Coke. It was also the first flavored version of Coca-Cola to receive broad distribution. The launch occurred during the same period as New Coke, the controversial reformulation of the original Coca-Cola formula, although Cherry Coke was positioned as an additional choice rather than a replacement for the original drink. The product initially generated substantial consumer interest and was exported or introduced into additional markets during 1985 and 1986. Coca-Cola has periodically adjusted the product's recipe, packaging, naming, and market availability. A 1991 reformulation sought to make the beverage more similar to fountain-style cherry cola after sales weakened. Packaging has generally used purple coloring and cherry imagery, although designs vary by market and period. Major redesigns included a graffiti-influenced youth-oriented package introduced during the 1990s, a 2007 United States redesign associated with Jay-Z, and a 2019 package aligned with Coca-Cola's broader One Brand visual system. The brand has also supported a family of reduced-calorie products. Diet Cherry Coke was introduced in 1986 as the first flavor extension within the Diet Coke range. Depending on the market and period, it has been called Diet Coke Cherry, Coca-Cola Cherry Light, Coca-Cola Light Cherry, or Diet Coke Feisty Cherry. Coca-Cola Cherry Zero Sugar, initially called Coca-Cola Cherry Zero in the United States, was introduced in 2007 and subsequently expanded into additional countries. Availability is not uniform. Coca-Cola Cherry has entered, left, returned to, or appeared as a limited-time product in different national markets. Examples include its reintroduction in Canada in 1998, later market returns in Spain and Sweden, limited-edition availability in Brazil during the 2016 Summer Olympics, and periodic Japanese revivals. Its continuing presence reflects Coca-Cola's use of regional distribution, limited editions, flavor variants, and retailer-specific launches rather than a single worldwide formula or release schedule.

Cherry-flavored Coca-Cola existed informally for decades before it became a packaged product. Soda fountains, diners, drugstores, and movie theaters often added cherry syrup to Coca-Cola, creating a familiar custom-made drink. The Coca-Cola Company explored whether that consumer habit could support a standardized commercial product and tested cherry and other flavors at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. Additional market tests followed. In the summer of 1985, Cherry Coke entered national production in the United States. It was the company's first broadly distributed flavored Coca-Cola and only the third principal Coca-Cola product then available, after original Coca-Cola and Diet Coke. Its launch coincided with the introduction of New Coke, but Cherry Coke represented an expansion of the portfolio rather than a replacement for the original formula. The product attracted strong initial attention and was introduced in Canada, Puerto Rico, Norway, and the Netherlands by the end of 1985. By the end of 1986, distribution had expanded to 33 markets. The product's international history has been uneven. It reached New Zealand in 1993 and Australia in 2003, while Japan received it initially and later saw limited-edition revivals. Sweden discontinued the product during the 1980s before bringing it back in 2012. Spain introduced it in 1995, removed it after several years, and restored it as a limited edition in 2013 before making it a permanent offering following consumer demand. Poland sold Cherry Coke from 1996 until 2018, after which the Zero Sugar version replaced it. Brazil brought the drink back temporarily during the 2016 Summer Olympics. The product has also appeared through periodic limited editions and market-specific bottling arrangements elsewhere. Coca-Cola changed the formula in 1991 to bring the flavor closer to fountain-style cherry cola after sales began to weaken. Its packaging has been repeatedly revised. Purple became the dominant visual cue, commonly accompanied by cherry illustrations. A major 1994 redesign used graffiti-inspired graphics as part of a youth-oriented makeover that was introduced in phases across markets. In 2002, the company announced another repositioning and a new look connected visually with Vanilla Coke. In 2007, a United States campaign featuring Jay-Z supported a substantial package redesign; Jay-Z also contributed to the can graphics. In 2019, the United States package was incorporated into Coca-Cola's One Brand system, using the Coca-Cola script over a red disc while preserving a purple background and cherry image. The reduced-calorie portfolio developed alongside the original product. Diet Cherry Coke launched in 1986 as the first flavor extension of Diet Coke. Market naming has varied, including Coca-Cola Cherry Light, Coca-Cola Light Cherry, Diet Coke Cherry, and Diet Coke Feisty Cherry. The United States version was withdrawn at the end of 2020, while later limited or retailer-specific returns used the original Diet Cherry Coke name and retro packaging. Coca-Cola also launched Coca-Cola Cherry Zero in the United States in 2007, later renamed or marketed internationally as Coca-Cola Cherry Zero Sugar. France received the Zero Sugar variant in 2013, followed by additional European markets including the United Kingdom, Poland, the Netherlands, and Sweden at different times. Today, Coca-Cola Cherry remains an active product brand within the Coca-Cola portfolio, though availability, formula, packaging, and naming differ by country. It is sold in packaged formats and can also be dispensed through Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, allowing cherry flavor to be selected as a customized fountain option.

1. 2020Diet Cherry Coke withdrawal announced

   The United States diet variant was scheduled for withdrawal at the end of the year.

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2. 2019One Brand packaging introduced in the United States

   United States packaging adopted Coca-Cola's One Brand design principles.

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3. 2013Spanish limited-edition return

   The product returned to Spain as a limited edition and later became permanent in response to demand.

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4. 2007Coca-Cola Cherry Zero introduced

   The United States received a no-calorie variant based on Coca-Cola Zero.

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5. 2003Australian introduction

   The product was introduced in Australia.

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6. 1994Graffiti-inspired packaging introduced

   A youth-oriented visual redesign began rolling out in multiple markets.

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7. 1993New Zealand introduction

   Coca-Cola Cherry entered the New Zealand market.

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8. 1991Recipe reformulation

   The flavor was adjusted to more closely resemble fountain cherry cola.

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9. 1986International distribution expands

   Availability reached 33 markets by the end of the year.

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10. 1986Diet Cherry Coke introduced

    The first flavor extension within the Diet Coke family was launched.

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11. 1985United States national launch

    Cherry Coke entered mainstream United States production and became Coca-Cola's first widely distributed flavored cola.

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12. 1982Flavor testing at the World's Fair

    The Coca-Cola Company tested cherry and other flavor concepts with visitors at the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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A fruit-flavored extension of Coca-Cola for consumers seeking a sweeter, cherry-forward alternative to original cola, with related no-calorie variants serving the reduced-sugar segment.

• Coca-Cola CherryFlavored cola1985

  The core Coca-Cola Cherry product combines Coca-Cola's cola base with cherry flavoring. It is commonly packaged in cans and bottles, with market-specific labels and formulas. Purple packaging and cherry imagery have frequently distinguished it from original Coca-Cola, although the visual identity has changed several times.

• Diet Cherry CokeReduced-calorie flavored cola1986

  Introduced in 1986, Diet Cherry Coke was the first flavor extension of the Diet Coke line. It has used several names in different markets, including Diet Coke Cherry, Coca-Cola Cherry Light, Coca-Cola Light Cherry, and Diet Coke Feisty Cherry. Availability has varied by country and period.

• Coca-Cola Cherry Zero SugarNo-calorie flavored cola2007

  Originally introduced in the United States as Coca-Cola Cherry Zero, this variant is based on Coca-Cola Zero Sugar rather than the standard sugared Coca-Cola formula. It subsequently expanded to selected international markets, including several European countries.

• Coca-Cola Freestyle CherryFountain and dispensing option

  Coca-Cola Cherry is available as a selectable or microdispensed flavor through Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. This format allows consumers to obtain cherry cola from a customized fountain platform rather than only through prepackaged products.

• 2016Brazil Olympic limited edition

  Brazil

  Coca-Cola Cherry returned to Brazil as a limited-edition product associated with the 2016 Summer Olympics.

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• 2007Jay-Z Coca-Cola Cherry campaign

  United States

  Rapper and record producer Jay-Z served as spokesperson for a new United States campaign and participated in creating the updated can graphics.

  Outcome. The campaign supported a significant redesign of the product's United States label and can presentation.

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• 1998Do Something Different

  Canada · United States

  The campaign accompanied Cherry Coke's return to Canada after an absence and was also used in the United States to appeal to younger consumers.

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• 1994Graffiti-inspired Cherry Coke makeover

  United States · Selected international markets

  Coca-Cola introduced a graffiti-influenced visual identity as part of a broader youth-oriented makeover for Cherry Coke.

  Outcome. The redesign was rolled out in phases across markets and became one of the product's notable packaging identities.

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• 2020United States withdrawal of Diet Cherry CokeStrategy

  The company reviewed its reduced-calorie flavor portfolio and announced the end of regular United States distribution for the product.

  What changed. Coca-Cola announced that Diet Cherry Coke would be withdrawn from the United States market at the end of December.

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• 2019Adoption of One Brand packagingStrategy

  Coca-Cola was standardizing the visual presentation of several products under its One Brand marketing system.

  What changed. The United States Cherry Coke package was redesigned around the Coca-Cola script, red disc, cherry image, and established purple background.

  Aftermath. The product retained distinctive cherry cues while appearing more closely related to the wider Coca-Cola family.

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• 2007Coca-Cola Cherry Zero launchProduct launch

  The Coca-Cola Zero platform provided a no-calorie base for additional flavor variants.

  What changed. Coca-Cola introduced Coca-Cola Cherry Zero in the United States.

  Aftermath. The variant was subsequently introduced in selected international markets under Coca-Cola Cherry Zero Sugar branding.

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• 1991Cherry flavor reformulationGeneration change

  Sales had begun to decline, and the company sought to better match the taste associated with fountain cherry cola.

  What changed. Coca-Cola changed the Cherry Coke formula.

  Aftermath. The revised product was positioned as closer to the established soda-fountain version.

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• 1985National launch of Cherry CokeProduct launch

  Coca-Cola had observed that consumers and soda fountains commonly combined cola with cherry syrup.

  What changed. The company commercialized a standardized cherry-flavored Coca-Cola and distributed it nationally in the United States.

  Aftermath. The launch established Coca-Cola's first major flavored cola and led to international expansion.

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• 2020Diet Coke Cherry withdrawn from the United States

  The Coca-Cola Company announced that the reduced-calorie cherry product would be removed from the United States market at the end of the year.

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• 2019Coca-Cola Cherry packaging joins the One Brand design system

  United States packaging adopted Coca-Cola's broader One Brand visual approach while retaining the product's established purple background and cherry imagery.

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• 2016Coca-Cola Cherry returns to Brazil as an Olympic limited edition

  The product returned to Brazil for a limited period associated with the 2016 Summer Olympics.

  Product launchCampaign
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• 2007Coca-Cola Cherry Zero launches in the United States

  A no-calorie variant based on Coca-Cola Zero was introduced in the United States.

  Product launch
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• 2007Jay-Z fronts Coca-Cola Cherry campaign and contributes to can design

  Coca-Cola launched a United States marketing campaign featuring rapper and producer Jay-Z, who also participated in the design of the updated can graphics.

  CampaignProduct generation
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• 2002Coca-Cola announces Cherry Coke repositioning and new packaging

  The company announced a repositioning and a new appearance designed to align Cherry Coke with the then-new Vanilla Coke range.

  Campaign
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• 1998Cherry Coke returns to Canada with the Do Something Different campaign

  After several years away from the Canadian market, the product was reintroduced alongside a youth-focused campaign also used in the United States.

  CampaignProduct launch
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• 1994Cherry Coke receives a major graffiti-inspired package redesign

  Coca-Cola began phasing in a youth-oriented visual identity featuring graffiti-inspired design elements in multiple markets.

  CampaignOther
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• 1991Cherry Coke recipe reformulated

  The product was reformulated to more closely resemble cherry cola served from soda fountains after sales had declined.

  Product generation
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• 1986Diet Cherry Coke introduced

  Coca-Cola introduced a reduced-calorie cherry variant within the Diet Coke family.

  Product launch
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• 1985Coca-Cola launches Cherry Coke nationally in the United States

  The Coca-Cola Company moved its cherry-flavored cola from testing into mainstream United States production and distribution.

  Product launchProduct generation
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1. Coca-Cola Cherry