Coca-Cola Just Dropped a New Soda 40 Years in the Making

One soda I’ll always order off the menu is a crisp Coke over ice. While there have been many new variations of the beverage—from Cherry Coke and Vanilla to Orange Cream and Cherry Float, the original flavor will always be my go-to. 

Coca-Cola has been a staple brand whenever the craving for a carbonated beverage hits for over a century, thanks to its delicious, sweet flavor. Now, the brand is offering a notable formula switch for the first time in nearly 40 years—and it has sparked some serious chatter among fans online. 

Coca-Cola Is Launching Soda Made With Cane Sugar

Coca-Cola has launched a new way for customers to enjoy its iconic beverage—an 8-ounce glass bottle made with cane sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup, now available at retail locations nationwide. This marks the first widespread reintroduction of cane sugar in U.S. Coca-Cola products since the 1980s, when the company transitioned to high-fructose corn syrup.

The brand first introduced the cane-sugar formula this fall in a 12-ounce single-serve glass bottle served at select restaurants across the U.S. This launch followed the company’s announcement in July that it would begin replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar in certain products after fan demand.

If you’re worried about a change in flavor from what you know and love, don’t fret, the original taste of the beloved soda is still very present. Many people who have tried it compared it to Coca-Cola sold in Mexico, which already uses cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup and comes in a glass bottle.

On a Reddit thread, fans shared that the new variation of the soda has a “nice bite” to it.

“To me, the Mexican version is more syrupy and sweet, while the U.S. version is more acidic and punchy,” one person wrote.

Another added, “This version is the best. I am kind of glad it is only 8 ounces because it forces you to be strategic when consuming.”

If you’re still skeptical of the change, rest assured that there’s plenty of room on shelves for all the sweet options. As a Coca-Cola spokesperson told Allrecipes, “This launch reflects our ongoing commitment to giving people more ways to enjoy the beverages they love,” and that the cane-sugar Coke is an addition—not a replacement—to the existing lineup.