Coca-Cola itself did not produce Cherry Coke until 1982, when it introduced its version to a test audience at the 1982 World's Fair. The drink then entered mainstream production in 1985. Cherry Coke, which by 2007 had been renamed Coca-Cola Cherry in the U.S. and some other countries, was the third variation of Coca-Cola at that time – the others being classic Coke and Diet Coke – and the first flavored Coke.[1] Diet Cherry Coke was introduced in 1986, and renamed Diet Coke Cherry in 2005. A second low-calorie version, Coca-Cola Cherry Zero (based on Coca-Cola Zero), was added in 2007.
The Coca-Cola Company would later introduce other flavored Coke variants, beginning with Vanilla Coke in May 2002, later followed by lime, raspberry, lemon, Black Cherry Vanilla and orange variants. Many of these are currently only sold in overseas markets or are microdispensed through Coca-Cola's Freestyle vending machines.
Coca-Cola Cherry has been offered in a number of different countries. Currently, in addition to the U.S., the drink is available in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Germany, France, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Peru. It is also available in both Brazil and Japan, but is still known as Cherry Coke in those countries. It is available in Ireland through British pharmaceutical chains such as Boots and Superdrug. Cherry Coke is also available in Belgium but only in cans of 25 ml.
On February 7, 2007, Coca-Cola officially launched a new campaign for the Coca-Cola Cherry brand in the U.S. Jay-Z was chosen to be the spokesman and played a part in designing the new can graphics. A new diet version, Coca-Cola Cherry Zero, was also introduced, although the original Diet Coke Cherry will remain available in 12-packs.
