Classic Coca-Cola is the biggest-selling drink in history – but that hasn’t stopped The Coca-Cola Company from coming up with new versions of this beloved beverage. Here we reveal the strangest and most successful flavours that have been available around the globe over the years.

A zingy take on original Coke, Coca-Cola with Lemon was launched in the US in 2001 to compete with Pepsi Twist, but was discontinued in 2005. A Diet Coke Lemon was also launched, though this was replaced by other exotic flavours (including Twisted Mango and Ginger Lime) in a relaunch in North America. 

One of the oldest cola flavours, Coca-Cola Cherry was launched in 1985 in the US. At its height it was available in 36 countries including the UK, Ireland, China and Switzerland. It has a strong following too: in 2018, UK fans became upset following rumours that the drink had been discontinued. However, earlier in 2020, a cherry-flavoured Coca-Cola energy drink was launched in the UK and US.

In April 1985, The Coca-Cola Company released a new formula of its classic drink – unofficially known as ‘new Coke’. The change was so unpopular, it announced a return to the original formula just a few months later. The retro formula resurfaced in 2019 in collaboration with Netflix's Stranger Things and was described as being sweeter and less fizzy.

Remaining a favourite flavour to this day, Coca-Cola Vanilla went on sale in the US in 2002 and in the UK in 2003. But it was discontinued as quickly as it was launched, disappearing from shelves by the end of 2005 to make way for Black Cherry Vanilla Coke. Much to the delight of the Coca-Cola-loving public, it returned for its anniversary in 2013.

Launched in 2005, Coke Zero was one of Coca-Cola’s most successful flavours. But, despite its popularity, it was discontinued in 2017 and replaced with Coca-Cola Zero Sugar – a new formula intended to taste more like Coca-Cola Classic.

A blood orange-flavoured drink available in France, Coca-Cola Light Sango is the first product developed outside the company’s headquarters in Atlanta. It was apparently given its catchy name in reference to the French word for blood: sang. 

The brand’s first foray into coffee drinks, Coca-Cola Blāk was introduced in France, the US and Canada in 2006. Its intended audience was savvy, sophisticated over 30s, but it never took off with them – or anyone for that matter. The plug was pulled on the energy-boosting drink a few years later.

This fruity flavour was first launched in New Zealand in 2006 and revived again after 10 years. In an unexpected development it crossed oceans, with a zero-sugar version arriving on shelves in the UK in 2019, much to the delight of die-hard Coca-Cola fans. 

Coca-Cola Citra, with its red and green packaging, was sold in Japan in 2006. It’s similar – but not to be confused with – Citra, a predominantly grapefruit-flavoured drink that came in a yellow can and was sold in India in the 1980s and 1990s, and in the US in the 1990s by Coca-Cola. Rumour has it, The Coca-Cola Company has plans to revive the soft drink once more. 

Launched in 2007, Diet Coke Citrus Zest is a combination of lemon and lime flavours sold in the UK. One day in 2018 it disappeared without warning, much to the dismay of loyal fans.

A 'healthy' energy drink, Diet Coke Plus was launched in the UK in October 2007 in two versions: one contained added B3, B12 and vitamin C while the other was enriched with green tea and vitamin C. It also landed in the US and Belgium earlier that year, but drew attention from the FDA, who said that there were too few nutrients to justify the word "plus" in the name. 

This opaque orange bottle has been seen on shelves around the world over the years, and has been available in countries including Japan, Turkey and Brazil. It has been compared to Mezzo Mix, a cola and orange drink sold across Europe.

Only in Japan would you find this health-conscious version of Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola Plus Catechin. Aimed at younger generations, the innovative drink went on sale in 2009, and contains, as the name suggests, catechins: antioxidants found in green tea.

Withdrawn from the UK in June 2017, Coca-Cola Life is still available in over 30 countries around the world. It was launched in 2014 and contains stevia, a “natural sweetener”, instead of aspartame.

A citrus variant, Coca-Cola Lime was launched in Romania in 2016, and also made an appearance in the USA in 2005. Its diet version stuck around for longer, before being exiled to Coca-Cola Freestyle machines in the US.

Inspired by increased sales of ginger beer, Coca-Cola Ginger was launched in Australia and New Zealand for a limited time in summer 2016. However, the fiery new product failed to catch on, with some complaining it wasn’t gingery enough.

Another Japan exclusive, Coca-Cola Plus, launched in 2017, was Coke with 5g (0.2oz) of added dietary fibre. The addition of the indigestible dextrin was said to give the drink a thicker texture – a small trade-off for the fact it was claimed to reduce fat absorption from food.

Launched in 2018 in Japan, Coca-Cola Clear lacks the distinctive caramel flavour of the original product and is recognised by its translucent appearance. The lemony tasting drink has zero calories and is more than slightly reminiscent of Crystal Pepsi in the 1990s – hopefully this one hangs around for longer.

One of the brand’s latest flavours, Coca-Cola Plus Coffee blends both beverages in one drink. It has more caffeine than a normal can of Coke, but apparently less than your average cup of coffee. Already flourishing in Australia, Italy, and Thailand, it launched in the US in early 2021, with three flavours: Dark Blend, Vanilla and Caramel.

Made with cane sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup, Mexican Coke, or MexiCoke, was first produced in the 1920s. Its fans praise it for its real sugary hit and it can be found throughout Mexico, as well as in select US restaurants, having become something of a trend in recent years. It's identifiable by its packaging – it's always sold in the old-style glass bottles.

Just in time for autumn 2019, Coca-Cola Japan launched an exclusive, limited edition apple-flavour drink. Despite the drink now being discontinued, we think its red and gold label is one of the most beautiful to date.

In one of Coca-Cola’s biggest branding change-ups to date, the soft drink heavyweight released four new Diet Coke flavours in the States in 2018: Twisted Mango, Zesty Blood Orange, Feisty Cherry and Ginger Lime. The shake-up aimed to attract younger customers who are increasingly opting for sparkling water over soda.

Now check out 25 of the most outrageous soda flavours in the world