Diet Coke was introduced in 1982 as Coca-Cola’s first new brand since the original Coca-Cola appeared in 1886. It was created in response to growing demand for low-calorie soft drinks and became a major extension of Coca-Cola’s brand portfolio.
The launch used the Coca-Cola name while giving the product a distinct identity through a silver package, a separate formulation, and diet-focused positioning. Diet Coke quickly became one of the world’s best-known low-calorie carbonated drinks.
Diet Coke should not be confused with New Coke, the reformulated Coca-Cola introduced in 1985, or Coca-Cola Zero, which arrived much later. The product also differs from Coca-Cola Light, the name used for Diet Coke in many markets outside the United States.