Coca-Cola called its original 1985 reformulated cola New Coke before restoring the earlier recipe.
The Coca-Cola Company introduced New Coke on April 23, 1985, after changing the flavor of its flagship drink. The decision followed taste tests in which many participants preferred the sweeter reformulation to both the existing Coca-Cola formula and Pepsi. The company also faced intense competition in the cola market.
Consumers reacted strongly to the disappearance of the original flavor. Complaints, public protests, and stockpiling created pressure for Coca-Cola to bring the earlier recipe back. On July 11, 1985, the company announced the return of the original drink under the name Coca-Cola Classic.
New Coke is often confused with the later rebranding of Coca-Cola Classic. The reformulated product itself retained the New Coke name for a period, while the restored original formula became Coca-Cola Classic.