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The history of Cherry Coke has a rich timeline, from soda fountains to cocktail mixer favorite.
Cherry Coke’s origins can be traced back to the late 1800s when soda fountains in drugstores dotted the landscape of American cities.
Soda jerks invented Cherry Coke by mixing cherry syrup with Coca-Cola at customers’ request. At the time, it was common for soda jerks to mix popular sodas with flavored syrups such as vanilla and cherry.
The Coca-Cola Company would model its new cherry flavor on what had already been popular in many diners, soda fountains, and movie theaters.
So, even though Cherry Coke wouldn’t officially be released until 1985, it had unofficially been around for many decades.
In 1982, Coca-Cola introduced Cherry Coke at the World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The cherry-flavored cola was a hit with the fair attendees. People went nuts and waited patiently for their chance to get their samples.
This was the third official version of the classic Coca-Cola formula. The first was the original Coca-Cola, and the second was Diet Coke.
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It wouldn’t be until 1985 that Cherry Coke was officially launched. It was brought to the shelves in tandem with the disastrous New Coke, which soon reverted back to Coca-Cola Classic.
Cherry Coke survived and quickly picked up a cult fan base.
In 2006, Cherry Coke was rebranded as Coca-Cola Cherry. The company wanted to associate the cherry soda with the iconic Coca-Cola name. Not all fans were happy, preferring the slang Coke, which is still used by many today.
Cherry Coke was a success and led to the introduction of diet variants:
Some of these flavors were short-lived; others, like Diet Cherry Coke, continue to live on today.
Cherry Coke debuted in 1985 with a retro cherry-colored can and white lettering.
The Cherry Coke can of the 1990s launched a new design that fans still love today. It features retro white lettering and squiggly black lines.
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2007, it had a huge overhaul featuring vibrant pink and purple hues.
In 2011, a cleaner, more internationally aligned design was introduced. The designers simplified the graphics while retaining the purple background.
The current design dates back to the 2019 rebranding, when Coca-Cola moved to a “One Brand” strategy. It features a red disc with the Coca-Cola logo and a cherry image set against a purple background.
Keith Haring was a well-known artist in the 1980s and 1990s. He was known for his bold, socially conscious style.
Keith collaborated with Coca-Cola in 1997 to create a limited edition Cherry Coke based on his popular artwork.
The limited edition can produce a collectible that appeals to art enthusiasts and beverage fans alike.
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Cherry Coke’s intro in the mid-80s sparked a revolution in the soft drink industry.
Coca-Cola’s main competitors, Pepsi and Dr Pepper, went on to create their own cherry-flavored varieties.
They came out with Pepsi Wild Cherry and Dr Pepper Cherry, taking the Cola Wars to a new level.
This drove innovation in marketing, packaging, and product development, as all the brands were looking to differentiate themselves and hopefully become the cherry king in the soda world
Cherry Coke has expanded worldwide since its launch in the US.
It launched in the United Kingdom in 1994, briefly appeared in Australia from 2003-2004 with a unique formula, and was reborn in Canada in 2013 after a prolonged absence.
The cherry cola was launched in Brazil during the 2016 Summer Olympics.
It was also relaunched in Ireland in 2014 after only being made available in British pharmaceutical chains.
Cherry Coke’s marketing history has embraced unexpected partnerships. They had a hit 1990s collaboration with the Grateful Dead and a 2007 campaign featuring Jay-Z as a spokesman.
Cherry Coke has been able to use celebrities to tap into diverse fan bases and grow with trends that occur throughout every generation.
Cherry Coke has had several slogans that have evolved over the years.
“Taste the Explosion” aimed to emphasize its bold cherry flavor and position it as an exciting, adventurous beverage choice.
The slogan “Cherry Coke, Outrageous!” repositioned the brand as unconventional and daring. The brand wanted a slogan to target consumers who craved unique experiences.
Cherry Coke’s most recent slogan, “It’s Refreshingly Different,” emphasizes its unique flavor while positioning it in a competitive soda market.
Cherry Coke quickly became a popular mixer in cocktails.
Mixologists eventually began experimenting with Cherry Coke as a versatile mixer.
They found it could complement various spirits and enhance classic cocktail recipes.
The most popular Cherry Coke-inspired cocktail in the market today is known as Cherry Coke Bourbon Slush.
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