Retro Diet Coke Lime returns for limited-time fall release

Diet Coke is bringing back Retro Diet Coke Lime for a limited time, with nationwide availability starting Oct. 6, Coca-Cola announced. The revival follows years of fan petitions since the flavor was discontinued in 2018, when it was replaced by Diet Coke Ginger Lime. The limited-edition release arrives as part of a broader nostalgia push from the beverage maker, featuring neon lime packaging designed to evoke the brand’s early-2000s aesthetic while remaining contemporary on shelves.

The lime-flavored variant originally launched in 2004 and quickly became a breakout hit before its removal from the lineup in 2018. The new run will be available in both cans and 20-ounce bottles, while supplies last. Industry observers say the decision taps into a broader consumer trend toward nostalgia-driven flavors and packaging that can fuel social-media buzz and trial among longtime fans. Fans on social media welcomed the news with excitement, with comments such as, “Am I dreaming or is this real???” and “OMG, I thought this day would never come.”

Coca-Cola has leaned into nostalgia before, with Retro Diet Cherry Coke returning for a limited time earlier this summer and the revival of its longtime “Share a Coke” campaign aimed at younger consumers. In January, the company also brought back the regular Lime Coke flavor for a limited run after an 18-year absence, signaling a broader willingness to revisit older favorites when market conditions align with consumer appetite.

The Diet Coke Lime revival comes as beverage brands increasingly balance novelty with familiarity, seeking to spark social chatter and re-engage lapsed fans without committing to a permanent reintroduction. While Coca-Cola did not disclose pricing for the Retro Diet Coke Lime, the limited-time format typically relies on a mix of perceived scarcity and fan demand to drive impulse purchases as fans seek a taste of nostalgia.

As Coca-Cola continues to test limited drops and retro reissues, the company will likely track consumer response closely through sales data and social-media engagement to determine whether additional nostalgic flavors warrant a longer-term return. The Lime variant’s reintroduction underscores the beverage maker’s strategic emphasis on experiential marketing and brand storytelling as a means to differentiate in a crowded U.S. soft-drink market.