Review: Coca-Cola Cherry Zero
Mar 6th, 2007 by Steve
Here's a name that is really confusing as far as format. Recently, we've seen Coke move to the following two templates regarding their product naming:
- Coca-Cola [insert flavor here]
- Diet Coke [insert flavor here]
Then came along Coca-Cola Zero. And given its success, it's not surprising that flavored versions would be arriving. So what does Coke decide to call their first installment?
- Coca-Cola Cherry Zero
Note how this is not Coca-Cola Zero Cherry or Cherry Coca-Cola Zero.
The whole thing reminds me of when Disneyland Paris went through some rebranding a few years ago. It was originally named Euro Disneyland, but after all the financial problems and refinancing, they renamed it Disneyland Paris. However, when a second park opened next door (Walt Disney Studios Paris), a "resort" name needed to be created to encompass both parks, the hotels, and shopping area in one big brand. The obvious choice based on Disney naming trends was Disneyland Paris Resort, but instead they went with Disneyland Resort Paris. Yeah, still can't figure that one out. But where were we?
Oh yeah, this flavored Coke Zero thing. (I sort of forgot I was writing a beverage review!)
Now, it should be noted that this drink isn't the same as Diet Coke Cherry. That drink is actually still around, but now only available in 12-pack cans. Coca-Cola Cherry Zero was introduced in late-January/early-February as the first variant of Coke Zero. Thus why Coke Zero got a facelift and why the original Cherry Coke also got some attention along with a new design.
You'll note the bottle design actually shares a lot with the style of the revised Coca-Cola Cherry flavor, with purplish cherries featured on the label. If you look carefully, however, you'll note that the ones featured on Cherry Zero have holes in the middle of them! The description on the bottle reads "calorie free cola with cherry flavor." Also, the bottle is black, with red/purple highlights, linking it with the Coke Zero branding.
Upon opening, it smells just like traditional Cherry Coke. Once you drink it, however, there's a notable difference. To me, the cherry flavor was rather weak, which is not what I expected. It has the typical aftertaste you'd expect in a diet drink (sweetened by aspartame and acesulfame potassium, which is also known as Ace-K).
I would assume that if you liked Coca-Cola Zero, you are going to like Coca-Cola Cherry Zero. I didn't really care for either. :p
[...] (and the confusing marketing behind it), how it was relaunched here in the United States, and its first flavor extension (Coca-Cola Cherry [...]
[...] the primary color is not red, but black, with red highlights. It's very similar in approach to Coca-Cola Cherry Zero, in fact. The black/red color scheme contrasts nicely against the rest of the Dr Pepper lineup, [...]
Why are ppl who do not like diet drinks generally reviewing diet drinks? That pretty much guarantees a negative review and is ridiculous. How are you going to help a diet cola drinker if you lack a basis in comparison since you don't generally drink diet drinks?
It would be like sending me to review a Sushi restaurant. I hate sushi, so it could be the greatest suschi place ever, and I would still review it generally negatively because I don't like the basic version of the food anyway.
This just doesn't seem like your most useful strategy here. This is the second Coke Zero review that I have seen whinge about an a funny diet aftertaste. A) I think you are imagining it. I have given Zeroes to ppl who also don't regularly drink diet soda and they don't detect immediately at all. B) If you are a regular diet soda drinker, you forget about that "aftertaste" it becomes just part of the background notes of the flavor. I almost only ever drink diet soda and Zero has virtually NO after taste to my reconning, especially with Diet Coke's flavor which even after years still has a strong after teste to me. Further, the flip side, is, when I do drink an non-diet version of any soda, its so sweet is makes me want to gag–though this is more true with the HFCS sodas than the cane sugar ones.
It just seems to me that you get a diet soda drinker to review diet sodas if you want any credibility.
I HAVE BEEN DRINKING COKE ZERO CHERRY (12 CAN PKS) FOR YEARS. THE OTHER DAY, I NOTICED THE CAN HAD CHANGED. OK, STILL BOUGHT IT AND IT WAS GOOD. YESTERDAY THEY WERE OUT OF IT AND HAD A SPECIAL ON 2-LTR BOTTLE OF COKE ZERO CHERRY….IT WAS TOTALLY FLAT, FLAT, FLAT. WAS ON SALE FOR 2 FOR $3.00. STILL NO BARGAIN IF IT IS FLAT. I AM GETTING SO ANGRY AT COKE, I AM TEMPORARILY CHANGING TO CRYSTAL LITE, SUGAR FREE…NICE, LEMONEY, COLD REFRESHING. WHEN YOU CAN GET SOME FIZZ BACK IN YOUR COKE, SEND ME A COUPON….THAT'S THE LEAST YOU CAN DO……….THANK YOU
I have consumed Cherry Coke for years. About a year ago I tried Coca Cola Cherry Zero (I call Cherry Coke Zero). There is no after taste and I buy when I can find it. However I am confused on the marketing concept. I can only find it in 12 pack cans adn 2 liter bottles. Why not offer it in the 6 Pk 20 OZ and the 24 pack cans. I get so frustrated when the stores advertise a sale an 24 pack coke products for $7 and they do not have that. I am left to buy the 12 packs for $4.28 each. Coke PLEASE get on board. Sincerely, Mark