"Buy the world a Coke" turned out to be much more than just an advertising campaign. In the 21st century, Coca-Cola can be found just about anywhere on the globe. Hey, even Santa Claus likes soda, and he lives on top of the world. Expansion to the farthest reaches means responding to local tastes. This has led the beverage company to take some pretty big swings with added flavors. Sometimes that leads to hits, like Cherry Coke. Sometimes that leads to the fleeting joys of wildly experimental taste combinations, followed by sad news about those same Coke flavors getting discontinued. Among these experimental flavors, lime has been a recurring theme, but the recent return of Diet Coke Lime, now billed as "Sublime," begs the question: Does this new version live up to the hype and offer a truly elevated experience?
A History of Lime and Coke
Coca-Cola and lime have a long and intertwined history. The addition of citrus to cola is a natural pairing, and Coca-Cola has explored this combination in various forms over the years. Coca-Cola Lime was available from 2005 until 2007, while Diet Coke Lime lasted all the way up to 2018. The diet version of the drink, based on Diet Coke/Coca-Cola Light, was the first to be released. In January 2004, The Coca-Cola Company announced the release of the drink, entitled Diet Coke with Lime. The drink remained a popular variety all the way until 2018, when the drink was discontinued as part of Diet Coke's relaunch when Diet Coke underwent a major overhaul in favor of Diet Coke Ginger Lime, a variant with added ginger flavoring, which itself was sold canned until 2020 but continues to be available on Coca-Cola Freestyle. In October 2025, The Coca-Cola Company announced that the drink would return to store shelves until the end of the year. The version based on classic Coca-Cola was released as Coca-Cola with Lime in the United States and Canada in the first quarter of 2005. The decision to market the product was based on popular feedback from consumers. An advertisement of Coca-Cola with Lime first appeared on television during the March 7, 2005 broadcast of American Idol. Coca-Cola with Lime was released as a limited edition in Australia, at the same time as its American debut, in 2005. However, it proved quite unpopular with some larger retailers such as Woolworths and Coles, who bought in bulk, having to reduce the price considerably (50c for a 1.25 L bottle compared to around A$2 for all other varieties) in order to clear the product out. Coca-Cola with Lime had limited releases in a number of European countries. It saw a limited edition release in Great Britain in the summer of 2006, after the success of Coca-Cola with Lemon the year prior, and was available in green bottles. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Lime, which is based on the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar formulation, has also been produced.
The "Sublime" Promise
The end of 2024 marked the end of a long hiatus for this fan-favorite flavor in the U.K. Those older versions were not billed as "sublime," however. We can't say for certain that the lack of a promise of happiness in the name is why the original version failed. Unlike its predecessors, the new Diet Coke Lime is marketed as "Sublime Lime," suggesting an enhanced or superior lime flavor. But does this rebranding translate to a tangible difference in taste?
Tasting Notes and Consumer Reactions
According to taste tests, this is a sweet drink with a strong lime scent. Like anyone in need of a spiritual check-in, we consulted the internet. The online consensus appears to be mixed, with some praising the drink's refreshing qualities and others finding it underwhelming.
One reviewer noted that the "twist of zesty lime flavor" really does elevate the basic-ness of a Diet Coke to something tastier.
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Diet Coke Lime Through the Years
Coca-Cola has been rolling out some of its classic flavors the past few months - no, this isn’t the same thing as Coca-Cola Classic - with a retro spin. After releasing Retro Diet Cherry Coke over the summer, fans of these throwback sodas are now seeing green thanks to Retro Diet Coke Lime. “Experience the crisp, refreshing taste of Diet Coke with a twist of zesty lime flavor in retro limited-edition packaging. It’s the same iconic diet soda you know and love, with a bold citrusy kick that hits just right. Some things are just too good to stay gone.”
Other Lime-Flavored Coca-Cola Products
Where lemon is subtle and complementary in Coke, lime is more of a burst. The Zero Sugar version reportedly has a stronger lime flavor than both the version from the Freestyle machine and Pepsi Max Lime.
Packaging and Presentation
It's a fair point to pay attention to the packaging too - cool, new packaging is a major part of the enjoyment of these distinctive flavors. Coke Clear Lime has a bottle that starts with normal-looking cola in ice at the bottom. As your eye travels up the bottle, though, a huge green lime splashes into the liquid. From that midpoint on up, the rest of the bottle is silvery-white or clear. It's a neat effect.
The Ever-Evolving World of Coca-Cola Flavors
The Coca-Cola Company's willingness to experiment with flavors reflects a broader trend in the beverage industry. Consumers are increasingly seeking novel and exciting taste experiences, and companies are responding by introducing a wide array of limited-edition and seasonal flavors. This constant innovation keeps the market fresh and allows consumers to discover new favorites.
A Global Perspective
Coca-Cola's flavor offerings vary significantly across different regions, reflecting local preferences and cultural nuances. For example, in Japan, Coca-Cola Apple was introduced in 2019. Reviewers noted a fragrant apple aroma as soon as they twisted the cap off the bottle. Tasting the hint of apple, though, required a quick swish around the palate. They also said it tasted more like apple juice than apple, with the apple juice flavor at the heart of the overall taste.
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Similarly, Coca-Cola Plus, a fiber-enhanced version of the drink, is primarily marketed in Asian countries like China and Japan, where there is a greater emphasis on health and wellness. This regional variation demonstrates Coca-Cola's commitment to catering to the specific tastes and needs of its diverse consumer base.
Beyond Lime: Other Notable Coca-Cola Flavors
While Diet Coke Sublime Lime is the focus of this review, it's worth noting some of the other unique and intriguing Coca-Cola flavors that have been released around the world:
Coca-Cola Plus Café Espresso: This beverage bills itself as having 40% more caffeine and 50% less sugar than Coca-Cola Classic.
Coca-Cola Lemon: Plenty of other countries get to skip that pesky step of finding a piece of fruit and then slicing it into wedges. That's right, head to most parts of Europe, Hong Kong, or South Korea, and you can crack open a can of Coke Lemon.
Coca-Cola Fiber Plus: Launched in 2017, this soda includes five grams of dextrin, a dietary fiber. It's advertised in China to contain dietary fiber to keep your gut functioning healthily, while Japanese marketing focuses on joy and positivity.
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Coca-Cola Strawberry: This drink has been described as like drinking a mix of Coke and strawberry Fanta - so maybe this one is easy to recreate at home.
Coca-Cola Stevia: Currently on offer in Canada, Cyprus, and Greece, Coca-Cola Stevia is a flavor that has gotten mixed reviews since it's been introduced.
Coke Plus Coffee: Coca-Cola Plus Coffee flavor has stuck in some parts of Central America and Europe. Like Coca-Cola Plus Café Espresso in Brazil, Coke Plus Coffee features less sugar and more caffeine than Coke Classic.
Coke Plus Coffee Mocha and Coke Plus Coffee Vanilla: The company has released Coke Plus Coffee Mocha and Coke Plus Coffee Vanilla in various markets before. Some say the caramel and coffee make a blend "harmonious" with the Coke. Others say the drink is too sweet.
Coca-Cola Maple: If the reviews on Reddit are any indication, it's worth the trip. "100% if you like maple syrup it's gonna taste great to you," raves another.
Coca-Cola Ginger: This flavor - released in Australia, as well as China and Japan - was described by a Coke spokesperson as featuring "a subtle hint of ginger."