Diet Coke was Coca-Cola’s 1982 low-calorie cola introduced as a major new product.
It was launched in the United States on August 9, 1982, and became the first Coca-Cola product to use the Coca-Cola name without the word “Coca-Cola” appearing as the full product name. Its development responded to growing consumer interest in reduced-calorie soft drinks.
Diet Coke was initially sweetened with saccharin and later used other sweeteners, including aspartame. It was marketed as a distinct product rather than simply as a reduced-calorie version of the company’s original cola. Diet Coke remains one of the company’s most widely recognized brands.