Coca-Cola flavour axed 8 years ago makes permanent return to UK shelves

A Coca-Cola product previously knocked off UK supermarket shelves eight years ago has finally resurfaced, and fans are praising the now-permeant product it for its ‘amazing great taste’.

Would you believe us if we told you The Coca-Cola Company sells more than 1.9 billion servings of its massive drinks portfolio across more than 200 countries every day?

Well, that’s the truth, according to the beverage giant.

While you may lust after a crisp can of Coke Zero at 3pm, others love nothing more than cracking open a Fanta Lemon, sipping on a Monster Energy drink, or rehydrating after a tough workout with Smartwater.

If you’re a certified Coca-Cola Company stan, then you will be pleased to hear that a beloved flavour, which was quietly axed in the UK eight years ago, is making a comeback.

The beverage’s return comes after a successful limited-edition run took place in October 2025.

At the time, it delivered £250,000 in value sales within just three weeks, according to Coca-Cola Euopacific Partners (CCEP).

Because of the ‘incredible demand’, the company has decided to make the carbonated beverage a ‘permanent variant designed to deliver long-term value for retailers’, according to Rob Yeomans, VP of commercial development of CCEP GB.

“This launch is set to be a standout performer in 2026,” he vowed.

So, what will we be able to pick up in our meal deals from January 2026?

Only Diet Cherry Coke, of course!

First introduced in Great Britain in 2006 as a replacement for Diet Coke Vanilla, Diet Cherry Coke survived for 12 years before being rebranded as ‘Diet Coke Feisty Cherry’.

In 2020, the company stoped production, and things officially went quiet until it randomly returned to supermarkets last year.

Returning to its original brand name, Diet Cherry Coke is set to roll into stores this month and will be available to purchase in 330ml cans, 500ml PET bottles, and multipacks, according to The Grocer.

Echo News also reported that the drink will be packed in 2l bottles.

If you’re looking for your fizzy fix right now, then you’ll be pleased to know a 24 pack of cans is on sale for £12 via Tesco.

X users have also reported seeing bottles of the good stuff on their local Sainsbury’s.

Cherry Diet Coke is baaaack! 🍒 At Sainsbury’s @DietCokeGB #dietcoke #cherry #coke #wellthisisnew pic.twitter.com/onhT7g4WkM

— Well This Is New (@All_Things_New_) January 4, 2026

Speaking about its permanent return to the Coca-Cola family, Tara Byrnes, senior brand manager for Diet Coke Great Britain said: “Fans asked for it, and loved the retro limited edition launch while it was here!

“With a bold flavour and new look, Diet Coke Cherry continues to encourage fans to make Diet Coke breaks reflect ‘your taste’ even more.”

The internet has already been going wild for the OG drink’s return, with one social media user typing: “Diet Cherry Coke? yes pls.”

“Same amazing great taste like I used to remember, so much tastier than Coke Zero Cherry,” wrote a Tesco shopper. “Hope they keep this out permanently!”

Another reviewer said: “Great taste like to see it in the shops more.”

If you’re hoping to indulge in a can of Diet Cherry Coke soon, then you may want to be aware of a little-known health danger.

A study has found that kidney function declined over two decades in women who drank several diet sodas a day.

Additionally, experts at Zoe Health suggested that too many diet beverages can lead to serious gut issues, such as bloating and diarrhoea.

It may also cause sleep disturbances and food cravings, the professionals claimed.

"Many drinks marketed as healthy or low-calorie may contain ingredients that can be harmful to the body over time," explained Dr. Don Thushara Galbadae, an associate professor of applied health sciences at Texas Christian University.

"Understanding their real effects helps consumers make informed decisions and avoid nutrient imbalances or metabolic disruptions."