Coca-Cola’s short-lived 1985 reformulated cola was called New Coke.
The Coca-Cola Company introduced New Coke on April 23, 1985, after taste tests suggested that consumers preferred its sweeter flavor to the original formula and to Pepsi in some comparisons. The change replaced the traditional Coca-Cola formula in the United States and Canada.
Many consumers reacted negatively to the withdrawal of the original drink. Public complaints, organized protests, and a strong emotional attachment to the old formula persuaded Coca-Cola to restore it under the name Coca-Cola Classic on July 11, 1985, less than three months after New Coke’s launch.
New Coke remained available in some form for years, but it never displaced the restored original. The episode is commonly cited as a major lesson in brand loyalty and the risks of changing a familiar product.