Long before it graced the coolers of convenience stores and the refrigerators of homes worldwide, Cherry Coke’s journey began in the most American of venues—the humble soda fountain. Here, attentive soda jerks added a splash of cherry-flavored syrup to Coca-Cola, concocting an unofficial version of what would become a future classic.
This delightful blend of Coca-Cola and cherry syrup quickly became a hit, and by the time the Coca-Cola Company decided to test an official version at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee, Cherry Coke was already a beloved beverage. The trials proved successful, and in the summer of 1985, Cherry Coke entered mainstream production in the U.S., marking its official launch.
Standing out not just for its bold flavor but also as the first flavored variant of Coca-Cola, Cherry Coke rose through the ranks, gaining significant market share, especially when the controversial New Coke was widely discontinued in the early 1990s. This era also saw the introduction of Diet Cherry Coke in 1986, later renamed to “Diet Coke Cherry” and most recently “Diet Coke Feisty Cherry” in 2018, alongside Coca-Cola Cherry Zero, added in 2007 to cater to the calorie-conscious crowd.
As the Coca-Cola Company introduced additional flavored variants like Vanilla Coke and Black Cherry Vanilla, Cherry Coke—renamed Coca-Cola Cherry in 2007—continued to hold a special place in the hearts of soda drinkers around the globe. Its popularity knew no bounds, reaching across continents from Sweden to South Korea, and even down under to New Zealand.
The international journey of Cherry Coke has been marked by waves of resurgence, such as its return to Canada during the “Share a Coke” campaigns of 2015 and 2016, or its relaunch in Brazil during the 2016 Summer Olympics, often punctuated by region-specific marketing pushes to adapt to local tastes.
Coca-Cola’s packaging for Cherry Coke has seen several redesigns, each reflecting the brand’s attempt to keep pace with changing consumer preferences and to maintain the drink’s strong connection to its parent brand. Even the iconic American artist Jay-Z played a part in designing new can graphics during a significant label redesign campaign in the U.S. in 2007.
Relevant articles:
– Coca-Cola Cherry