The call for diet Vanilla Coke

On this day in 2002, we introduced diet Vanilla Coke -- a direct result of requests from the public.

When Vanilla Coke came out earlier that year, it reminded a lot of people of the 1950s soda fountain days, when you could ask for a “shot” of flavors like vanilla (or lime or chocolate) in your Coke.

Vanilla Coke had its May 8, 2002, debut at the Vanilla Bean Café in Pomfret, Connecticut. A member of our media relations group found the Café on the Internet, and thought it would make the perfect launch spot for the new brand.

Vanilla Coke also had its debut with a live taste test on NBC's “The Today Show,” and the brand soon appeared around the world.

Thousands of people contacted Coke and asked for a diet version of the new drink. Coca-Cola listened, and on August 8, 2002, announced that we would make diet Vanilla Coke. Just a few months later, on October 15, diet Vanilla Coke (now called Vanilla Coke Zero) was introduced across the U.S. and Canada.

Vanilla Coke had briefly been replaced for a bit with Black Cherry Vanilla Coke, but returned in 2007. In fact, we celebrated its comeback by making a record-breaking Vanilla Coke float at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta.

Did you drink Coke with vanilla at soda fountains, or did you prefer another flavor? Tell me about it!