Coca-Cola Is Finally Making This Soda Flavor Permanent After Fans Begged for 5 Years

As a Diet Pepsi girlie, my allegiance switches to Coca-Cola when it comes to one specific flavor. However, that beloved was missing from grocery store shelves for five long years. It came back this summer with a surprising, nostalgic change that almost makes up for all those years lost.

However, there was a catch. It wasn’t back forever. And only select lucky grocery store brands had it. We were on borrowed time, and the end of summer felt more bitter than sweet.

Or so it seemed. In another surprising change, Coca-Cola just announced that the flavor will return. And this time, it’s permanent.

Diet Cherry Coke To Return to Grocery Stores in 2026

It’s really happening: Diet Cherry Coke is returning to soda shelves once again. But this time it’s not seasonal. Diet Cherry Coke will rejoin the Coca-Cola permanent lineup next year.

Technically, Coca-Cola Freestyle machines never abandoned the flavor, and fans in the know have been able to get their fix amid the disappearance of cans. But there’s nothing like on-demand Diet Cherry Coke from your fridge or cooler.

Initially released in 1986, Diet Cherry Coke disappeared from soda shelves about three decades later. And while there is a current Coke Zero cherry flavor, I’m here to tell you the two are not the same. Perhaps to differentiate itself from its Coke Zero sister, Diet Cherry Coke returned this summer as Retro Diet Cherry Coke, featuring the original ’80s can design.

What makes this Diet Coke flavor so superior is that proprietary Coca-Cola cherry flavor. Yes, Pepsi has its Wild Cherry empire, and Slice Cherry Cola has returned to the soda game. Olipop has a pretty tasty cherry cola, too. But, in my opinion, Coke does cherry better. And for folks who have never been able to get on board with that very distinct Diet Coke aftertaste: It’s not there with Diet Cherry Coke.

For the limited-time release this past summer, Diet Cherry Coke was exclusive to Kroger and the Kroger family of brands. But when the beloved soda returns (for good) next year, it will available nationwide at more grocery store brands.

While we don’t have an exact date, Diet Cherry Coke will return in February 2026. It’s not the Christmas miracle I hoped for, but I can’t think of a better treat for Valentine’s Day.