12 alternative Coca-Cola flavors that are as crazy as delicious!
Just when we think we know the brand like the back of our hand, Coca-Cola surprises us with a new flavor that reminds us there is always room for creativity and originality. One of the most successful American companies, Coca-Cola is so much more than just a secret recipe. Throughout its history, it has introduced different versions of its signature drink. Some were a success —as is the case with Cherry Coke and Vanilla Coke— and others were more audacious and lasted only a short time in the market. Join us as we look back at 12 alternative Coca-Cola flavors that transformed a legendary beverage into a taste adventure. Check out if your favorites made it to the list!
Image: Olena Bohovyk
1
Original Coke
How it all started. On May 8, 1886, Dr. John Pemberton served the world's first Coca-Cola at Jacobs Drug Store in Atlanta, Georgia, and American life would never be the same again. Based on coca leaf and cola nut, the recipe for the original Coke is one of the best-kept secrets in history. Since its invention almost 140 years ago, this mysterious, dark, sweet, bubbly, and stimulating liquid has become one of the world's most widely known and consumed soft drinks.
Image: Deepal Tamang
2
Vanilla Coke
Vanilla Coke was first introduced in the United States in 2002. The new drink consisted of original Coca-Cola flavor with natural vanilla extract added to the formula. Shortly after its launch, the vanilla soft drink became a success, selling millions of units. However, by 2006, sales had dropped considerably, and the product was eventually withdrawn from the market.
Yet, Vanilla Coke would not give up so easily. Its fans began to campaign online to make the company reintroduce it. Luckily for them, the drink eventually returned to the shelves in 2007.
Image: kkk
3
Coca-Cola with Lime
Many people add a few drops of lime to their glass of Coke, so why wouldn't the company launch a ready-to-drink product? Coca-Cola with Lime was first introduced in the United States in 2005 during a broadcast of American Idol. As the name suggests, it has the taste of Coca-Cola with the addition of lime flavor. Did you like it, or were you one of the many naysayers?
Image: stevepb
4
Starlight
A Coke inspired by space? Believe it or not, in 2022, Coca-Cola launched —no pun intended— a variant of the drink to bring the taste of space down to Earth. You're probably wondering what it tastes like, and so are we! According to the company, Coca-Cola Starlight’s taste "includes additional notes reminiscent of stargazing around a campfire, as well as a cooling sensation that evokes the feeling of a cold journey to space." Would you dare to try it?
Image: Joey Csunyo
5
Dreamworld
Like Starlight, Dreamworld was a 2022 limited edition. In this case, Coca-Cola wanted people to be able to taste dreams. We have no idea what that means exactly, but it sure has sparked our curiosity. Not convinced yet? According to the company, Coke Dreamworld "bottles up the technicolor tastes and surrealism of the subconscious." If only we could travel back in time to put it to the test!
Image: Marjan Blan
6
Cherry Coke
Based on a mix of cherry syrup and Coca-Cola, Cherry Coke was first introduced in 1982 at the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. It wasn’t until three years later that the new soft drink officially hit supermarket shelves worldwide. Cherry Coke was the first flavored Coca-Cola, and its success was so great that in the following years not only did Light and Zero versions emerge, but it also has a large and strong cult fan base.
Image: Frank Tunder
7
Coca-Cola Blāk
As if the caffeine already in Coca-Cola wasn't enough to wake up any sleepyhead, in 2006 the company launched Coca-Cola BlāK. This soft drink that blends the taste of Coke with coffee was introduced in response to the overwhelming success of the early 2000s energy drinks and coffee chains. Despite its novel and sophisticated packaging design, consumers didn't quite like the sweetener’s artificial aftertaste, and it was finally discontinued just 2 years after its launch.
Image: himanshu Chaudhary
8
Coke Plus Coffee
Coca-Cola Wouldn’t give up and, despite Coca-Cola BlāK's fiasco, in 2021 introduced a new product that paired the legendary soft drink with coffee. The difference with its predecessor was that Coke Plus Coffee contained more real coffee, specifically 100% Brazilian coffee. If you think the company got the experiment right this time, you're wrong. Coke Plus Coffee barely lasted a year on American shelves.
Image: Nikolai Chernichenko
9
Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar OREO
Soda that tastes like cookies and cookies that taste like soda? Coca-Cola and Oreo thought this was a good idea and in 2024 launched a limited edition collaboration that included an Oreo-flavored Coca-Cola and a Coca-Cola-flavored cookie. According to the companies, the products are "a delicious duo that celebrates friendship with every sip". Those who have tried them claim that indeed the drink tastes like Oreo and the cookies like Coke —whatever that means. The Oreos even contain popping candy for a real fizzy vibe! Would you be willing to try them?
Image: Shubham Kumar
10
Coke Cinnamon
If they tried cherry, lime, and vanilla, cinnamon was the obvious next step. Coca-Cola Cinnamon was introduced in September 2019, just in time for the holiday season. It was supposed to be a limited edition, but it was such a success that it was re-released the following winter. The taste? As expected!
Image: Alex Bayev
11
Diet Coke Plus
With the turn of the century, sugary drinks got a backlash from groups advocating healthier eating. In an attempt to improve its image, in 2007, Coca-Cola launched Diet Coke Plus, a drink that, they claimed, was enriched with vitamins and minerals. The attempt ended up backfiring: the United States Food and Drug Administration wrote a warning letter to the company for violating its guidelines. Coca-Cola stated that Diet Coke Plus didn’t involve any health or safety issues, but the product was eventually discontinued.
Image: Brett Jordan
12
California Raspberry and Georgia Peach
Locally inspired by these states' signature fruits, California Raspberry and Georgia Peach were the first new Coca-Cola flavors since 2002. Launched in 2018 to compete with craft sodas, these new drinks promised to " add a pop of local flavor to the timeless taste you love." Although many people actually loved the new beverages, the company pulled them from the market in 2020. Ever got the chance to try them?
Image: One Day
