In a move set to delight fans across the nation, Diet Coke has officially confirmed that its discontinued Cherry flavour is back on shelves for good. The announcement marks the end of a seven-year wait for devotees of the beverage, which was first axed back in 2018.
A Permanent Comeback for a Cult Favourite
The drinks giant initially revealed to Metro in September 2025 that Diet Cherry Coke would be making a limited-time return to shops in October of that year. That brief reappearance, which featured retro packaging, was met with what fans described as 'monumental' excitement. However, the company has now confirmed that the flavour is returning permanently, with new, modern packaging.
Tara Byrnes, senior brand manager for Diet Coke Great Britain, stated: 'We are delighted to announce that Diet Coke Cherry will be joining the Diet Coke family permanently. Fans asked for it, and loved the retro limited edition launch while it was here!'
The beverage is available now in multiple formats, including 24 x 330ml can multipacks, 500ml bottles, and 2L bottles.
Social Media Erupts with Joy
The news has sparked celebrations on social media, particularly on TikTok, where the initial limited return was hailed as a major event. Influencer @hauskris called the comeback 'monumental' and expressed dismay that it was only temporary, saying she would be 'stockpiling' the drink.
Another user, @darcymcqueenyyy, gave the flavour a perfect score in a video review. 'The cherry flavour is perfect, it’s not too much but it’s not too little,' she said. 'Solid 10/10, they really did the big one with this one. I’ll never crave normal Diet Coke again.'
Other fans described the drink as 'life-changing', 'elite', and 'the best', with @tylerjacksontippett urging the brand to 'please never get rid of this one'.
A Trend of Nostalgic Returns
The permanent revival of Diet Cherry Coke follows its successful comeback in the United States during the summer of 2025. It also aligns with a broader trend of brands bringing back nostalgic products.
In related news, Tesco has confirmed it is reviving its iconic blue-and-white striped 'Value' branding in 2026. Last used in 2012, the retro design will be used to highlight low prices as part of the supermarket's strategy to compete with discounters like Aldi and Lidl. This will coincide with a major price drop on around 3,000 branded products.
For those looking for a Diet Coke alternative, a recent Metro taste test found that Aldi’s own-brand Diet Vive scored an impressive 4/5 and was deemed very difficult to distinguish from the original in a blind test.
With Diet Cherry Coke now a permanent fixture, it seems the taste of the 80s is firmly back on the menu for UK consumers.
