It’s official: Diet Coke Lime is making a comeback.

Coca-Cola announced Friday that Retro Diet Coke Lime will return to shelves nationwide on October 6, reintroducing the crisp, citrus-infused variation of its iconic diet soda. Available in both 20-ounce bottles and cans, the limited-time release marks the brand’s latest foray into nostalgia marketing, tapping into a wave of consumer demand for throwback favorites.

The revival comes seven years after Diet Coke Lime was discontinued in 2018 and replaced with Diet Coke Ginger Lime, a move that disappointed loyal fans who had been enjoying the lime-flavored version since its debut in 2004.

“Diet Coke Lime was a breakout success when it launched, and fans have been asking for its return ever since,” Coca-Cola said in a statement. “We’re excited to bring it back in a way that honors its early-2000s roots while still looking fresh for today.”

The product will arrive in packaging that deliberately channels nostalgia. With neon-green accents and a design inspired by the soda’s original early-aughts look, Retro Diet Coke Lime is being positioned as both a blast from the past and a stylish fit for modern shelves.

Online, fans erupted with excitement at the news. “Am I dreaming or is this real???” one wrote on Instagram. Another user gushed: “OMG!! I thought this day would never come.” For some, the return is validation of their years-long attempts to recreate the taste at home. “I add true lime packets to my Diet Coke every day,” one fan admitted, “so this is amazing.”

The buzz reflects a larger trend in the beverage industry: nostalgia sells. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola reintroduced Retro Diet Cherry Coke, which quickly became a fan favorite once again. The company has also revived its “Share a Coke” campaign, first launched more than a decade ago, in an effort to target younger audiences with personalized branding and a sense of throwback fun.

This January, Coca-Cola also temporarily brought back Lime Coke—the non-diet version—for the first time in nearly two decades. That limited run sold briskly, signaling strong consumer appetite for lime-infused soft drinks.

The return of Diet Coke Lime feels particularly sweet for fans who have lobbied Coca-Cola for years. Since its discontinuation, social media pages and online petitions have cropped up, urging the brand to reconsider. One Reddit thread, still active years after the flavor disappeared, was filled with users trading hacks on how to mimic the lime kick by mixing fresh citrus or lime-flavored enhancers with standard Diet Coke.

Now, those makeshift solutions may finally be retired—at least temporarily.

Coca-Cola has not disclosed how long Retro Diet Coke Lime will remain available, saying only that the run will be “limited while supplies last.” That uncertainty has already spurred some fans to vow they’ll stockpile cases once the soda hits stores. “I’ll be filling my garage with it,” one longtime devotee commented on Facebook.

Industry analysts say the strategy is smart. By limiting supply, Coca-Cola can generate buzz, encourage immediate sales, and position the flavor as a special treat rather than a permanent staple. “Scarcity creates urgency,” one analyst noted. “And for something with this much nostalgia value, fans won’t want to miss out.”

The re-release also signals Coca-Cola’s willingness to lean on its back catalog of flavors as a way to compete in a crowded market. While younger beverage startups are grabbing attention with niche flavors, functional drinks, and influencer partnerships, legacy brands like Coke are increasingly turning to retro products to stir emotion and loyalty among consumers who grew up with them.

For now, though, it’s the fans who are celebrating. “This is the best news EVER,” one user wrote on Instagram. Another added: “God bless omg.”

As October 6 approaches, Retro Diet Coke Lime’s return is shaping up to be more than just a product launch. For the fans who never stopped craving its zesty kick, it feels like a small victory—a reminder that sometimes, persistence pays off.

And when the first cans hit shelves next month, many won’t just be sipping a soda. They’ll be tasting a memory.