Coca-Cola, often simply referred to as Coke, is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. The iconic soda was first created in 1886 by John Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. While Coca-Cola is the oldest and most well-known brand, The Coca-Cola Company has acquired and launched other brands over the past 130+ years that also have fascinating histories.
The Origins of Coca-Cola
John Pemberton concocted the original Coca-Cola recipe in 1886. The key ingredients included coca leaves, kola nuts, and alcohol. He described it as a “brain tonic and intellectual beverage” that could cure headaches, relieve exhaustion, and calm nerves. Pemberton sold Coca-Cola at a local Atlanta pharmacy for 5 cents per glass.
The name “Coca-Cola” was suggested by Pemberton’s bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, who penned the now famous cursive script. Robinson is also credited with coming up with the slogan “Drink Coca-Cola,” as well as claiming it was “Delicious and Refreshing.”
In the first year alone, Coca-Cola saw sales of about 9 glasses per day. By the late 1880s, Coca-Cola was one of America’s most popular fountain drinks. Many imitators tried to duplicate Coca-Cola’s recipe, leading the company to start bottling operations in 1899.
The bottling allowed Coca-Cola to expand beyond fountains and control the brand and quality. Bottles featuring the iconic Coca-Cola script logo soon spread across the United States and Canada. By 1920, there was a Coca-Cola bottling operation in every U.S. state and Canadian province.
The Rise of Diet Coke
Diet Coke was the first extension of the original Coca-Cola brand. It was launched in 1982 as a lower-calorie alternative for health-conscious consumers.
Diet Coke was sweetened with aspartame, an artificial sweetener that provided the taste of sugar without the calories. The drink was tested under the name Diet Coca-Cola, but the “Diet” name stuck when it was released nationally. It was heavily targeted towards women concerned about counting calories.
Diet Coke experienced strong growth following its debut. Within two years, it had become the top low-calorie soft drink in the world. It continued gaining market share into the 1990s and 2000s, as more people became interested in lighter soda options.
While sales of regular Coca-Cola and other full-sugar sodas have declined over the past 20 years, Diet Coke remains one of the most popular carbonated soft drinks in the U.S. It’s the third best-selling soda brand overall after Coca-Cola original and Pepsi.
The Arrival of Cherry Coke
Cherry Coke, the second extension of the Coca-Cola brand, made its debut in 1985. It joined the “Coke” family later than Diet Coke and featured the original Coca-Cola flavor with added cherry syrup.
Coca-Cola had experimented with adding cherry flavoring since the early 20th century. But Cherry Coke was not introduced nationwide until 1985, following trial runs in select markets. The original marketing was focused on the youth market, touting Cherry Coke’s “totally radical” taste.
Cherry Coke saw immediate success when it rolled out across North America in 1985 and remained popular through the 1980s. However, it faded from store shelves during the 1990s. Coca-Cola revived Cherry Coke again in 2000 with a successful relaunch. It has remained available since then and is now sold in over 100 countries worldwide.
The Arrival of Caffeine-Free Coke
Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola joined the brand lineup in 1983, offering a non-stimulant version of the iconic beverage. It was initially released as “Coca-Cola Free” until being renamed Caffeine-Free Coke in 1987.
Coca-Cola executives had considered creating a caffeine-free version since the late 1970s. Market research indicated a demand from health-conscious consumers looking to reduce caffeine intake. By eliminating caffeine while keeping the same taste, Coca-Cola hoped to retain customers who desired the authentic Coke experience without stimulants.
Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola was marketed heavily with the tagline “All the taste. None of the buzz.” Television commercials featured former NBA star Bill Russell touting the new Coke as a way to enjoy true cola taste at any time of day.
While not as popular as drinks like Diet Coke, Caffeine-Free Coke found a following and remains on store shelves today. It provides an alternative for Coke fans seeking to limit caffeine for health reasons or personal preference.
The Creation of Coca-Cola Zero
Coca-Cola Zero debuted in 2005, marking Coca-Cola’s second major attempt at a lower-calorie cola after Diet Coke. The new zero-calorie product was designed to more closely mimic the taste of original Coca-Cola with a new formula using aspartame and acesulfame potassium.
Coke Zero was intended to appeal specifically to male soda drinkers, a group found to be less receptive to Diet Coke’s female-focused marketing approach. Marketing for Coke Zero centered on “real Coca-Cola taste” without calories or carbs. Its edgier branding also included associations with fast cars, gaming, and sports.
Since launch, Coke Zero has gradually grown in popularity and is now available in over 130 countries. Though it still trails behind Diet Coke in U.S. sales, its global growth demonstrates the demand for lower-calorie Coca-Cola alternatives that better replicate the core product’s taste.
The Arrival of Vanilla Coke
Vanilla Coke joined the lineup in 2002, marking the return of Coca-Cola’s popular vanilla-flavored soda from the 1980s. The original Vanilla Coke was introduced in 1985 and sold as a limited time offering alongside Cherry Coke. It was discontinued in 1990.
In 2002, Vanilla Coke was re-launched as a permanent addition to the Coke brand family. It returned with the same classic Coca-Cola taste infused with vanilla. This time, Vanilla Coke was here to stay following strong sales during its relaunch.
Over the next decade, Vanilla Coke continued gaining devotees craving the smooth, vanilla-laced take on their favorite soda. It performs particularly well in specialty retail outlets like Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, which allow customization of Coke flavors. Vanilla remains a sought-after choice for customized Coca-Cola beverages.
The Launch of Coca-Cola Life
Coca-Cola Life debuted in 2013, featuring a new low-calorie formula sweetened with stevia leaf extract. It was the first Coca-Cola brand sweetened entirely with cane sugar and stevia without aspartame.
The green-labeled Coca-Cola Life was designed for health-conscious soda drinkers seeking a reduced calorie option made with more natural sweeteners. It was first tested in Argentina and Chile before launching in the UK and U.S. in 2014.
While Americans had access to Coca-Cola Life for a few years, it was ultimately discontinued in the U.S. in 2017. However, Coca-Cola Life continued to achieve success in international markets like Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Western Europe. It remains available as a lower-calorie stevia-sweetened Coca-Cola alternative in select global regions.
The Creation of Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla
Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla debuted in 2019 as the newest flavor innovation in the Coke lineup. It combines the refreshing taste of Vanilla Coke with a zesty orange flavor.
The thirst-quenching citrus and vanilla flavors proved popular following the beverage’s launch. Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla quickly became the company’s most successful new product of 2019. It is now a permanent part of the Coca-Cola flavor portfolio, appealing to fans craving an extra refreshing fruit-flavored cola twist.
Conclusion
While Coca-Cola remains the oldest and most iconic brand, various flavor extensions and variations have been introduced over the past 130+ years. These include the first lower-calorie soda Diet Coke in 1982, followed by the first flavors Cherry Coke in 1985 and Vanilla Coke in 2002. Caffeine-free formulations, zero-calorie Coca-Cola Zero, and stevia-sweetened Coca-Cola Life also joined the brand lineup in more recent decades.
The Coca-Cola Company continues innovating with new variations like Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla to appeal to changing consumer tastes. But the classic Coca-Cola original remains the timeless product that made the brand famous back in 1886.
Timeline of Major Coke Brands
| Year | Brand |
|---|---|
| 1886 | Coca-Cola |
| 1982 | Diet Coke |
| 1985 | Cherry Coke |
| 1985 | Vanilla Coke (Discontinued 1990, Relaunched 2002) |
| 1983 | Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola |
| 2005 | Coca-Cola Zero |
| 2013 | Coca-Cola Life (Discontinued in U.S. 2017) |
| 2019 | Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla |