Coca-Cola drops a major bomb in the United States and leaves Pepsi KO

The battle between major soft drink brands in the United States never ceases to surprise. In a market dominated by classic flavors, strategies to capture consumers' attention are key. Recently, Coca-Cola has made a masterful move that's generating a lot of buzz.

Although many thought Coca-Cola Zero Sugar was going to completely replace Diet Coke (Coca-Cola Light), the reality has been very different. The company has decided to relaunch the original flavor of Diet Coke with a retro touch that's caused great anticipation, making it clear that this drink remains essential in its catalog.

Diet Coke makes a strong comeback with classic flavor

In 2024, Diet Coke keeps its place as one of the ten most important soft drinks worldwide. The drink contributes $7.737 billion to the global brand value, ranking ninth in the international ranking. It's just behind Monster ($8.45 billion) and above other key brands like Fanta ($7.624 billion) and Sprite ($6.857 billion).

The list is led by original Coca-Cola ($98.716 billion) and Red Bull ($22.15 billion), followed by Nongfu Spring ($19.968 billion) and Pepsi ($17.689 billion). The company has taken advantage of this popularity to bring back the classic flavor of Diet Cherry Coke, a limited edition with a retro design, according to the Instagram account @snackolator. This return isn't an exclusive launch, but will reach the shelves of several stores, which excites fans who had been waiting for the return of this iconic drink.

Additionally, Coca-Cola has offered different flavors for Diet Coke over the years, from lime and vanilla to ginger lime and mango, reports The Street. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, launched in 2016 under that name, aims to resemble the original Coca-Cola flavor more closely, setting itself apart from Diet Coke, which has a lighter taste.

A move toward healthier drinks?

Health is an increasingly present topic in the beverage industry. Although Diet Coke is considered a healthier option than the sugar versions, the debate continues. Some companies in the United States have started to incorporate functional ingredients like probiotics or prebiotics, and Coca-Cola isn't a stranger to this trend.

James Quincey, CEO of Coca-Cola, recently explained that the company will follow consumers' preferences to decide which products to launch. In the first quarter 2025 earnings call, Quincey commented that the key is to understand what customers are looking for and how they want to consume those ingredients.

According to Quincey, although some consumers are willing to sacrifice taste for health benefits, most prefer drinks that keep a good flavor. "Taste will remain the priority," he stated. However, he added that if there's demand for products that combine flavor and functionality, Coca-Cola will be ready to adapt to those trends.