Quick Answer
A 12 ounce (355 ml) can of Diet Coke Cherry delivers 0 calories, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of carbohydrate, 40 mg of sodium, and 34 mg of caffeine.
The sweetness comes from a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium, and the cherry note is a natural flavor layered on top of the standard Diet Coke base.
It is not the same product as Coca-Cola Cherry Zero Sugar. They share the cherry flavor cue but use different cola bases, different acid blends, and slightly different sweetener ratios.
Full nutrition panel per 12 oz can
Figures below are taken from the current Coca-Cola Company nutrition disclosure for the 12 oz US can.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 0 kcal | 0% |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Sodium | 40 mg | 2% |
| Total carbohydrate | 0 g | 0% |
| Total sugars | 0 g | n/a |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 0% |
| Protein | 0 g | 0% |
| Caffeine | 34 mg | n/a |
| Potassium | under 5 mg | 0% |
The caffeine number is lower than people often assume. A 12 oz can of regular Diet Coke runs about 46 mg, so the cherry variant is roughly 26 percent lighter on caffeine per can.
What is actually in the can
The published ingredient deck reads as carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate (to protect taste), natural flavors, citric acid, caffeine, and acesulfame potassium.
- Sweetener blend. Aspartame and acesulfame potassium together activate the T1R2 and T1R3 sweet receptors more cleanly than either sweetener alone, which is why the aftertaste reads as cleaner than older single sweetener formulas.
- Acid backbone. Phosphoric acid drives the sharp cola bite, while citric acid lifts the tart cherry note on the front of the palate.
- Cherry character. Listed only as "natural flavors", which under FDA labeling rules can include cherry extractives, benzaldehyde derived from natural sources, and supporting fruit aromatics.
- Phenylalanine warning. Because aspartame is present, the can carries a mandatory notice for anyone with phenylketonuria (PKU).
Diet Cherry Coke vs Coke Zero Sugar Cherry
Both are zero calorie, zero sugar cherry colas from The Coca-Cola Company, but they are engineered for different taste targets.
| Metric (12 oz can) | Diet Coke Cherry | Coke Zero Sugar Cherry |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 0 | 0 |
| Sugar | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg | 45 mg |
| Caffeine | 34 mg | 34 mg |
| Sweeteners | Aspartame, Ace-K | Aspartame, Ace-K |
| Cola base | Original Diet Coke formula (1982) | Mimics classic Coca-Cola |
| Mouthfeel | Crisp, sharper cherry bite | Smoother, deeper caramel base |
Does it affect blood sugar or insulin?
For most adults, the answer is no. The randomized trial evidence on aspartame and acesulfame potassium does not show a meaningful change in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, or HbA1c when used in normal soft drink quantities. The American Diabetes Association classifies both sweeteners as acceptable inside a diabetes meal plan.
People with documented IBS or known sensitivity to sugar alcohols are not the same population as people consuming aspartame. Diet Cherry Coke contains no sugar alcohols, so it is generally well tolerated.
Hydration, caffeine, and daily limits
The FDA considers up to 400 mg of caffeine per day safe for most healthy adults, which is roughly 11 cans of Diet Cherry Coke. The actual hydration value of the drink is close to plain water, since the diuretic effect of 34 mg of caffeine is too small to offset the fluid volume.
Pregnant women are commonly advised to cap caffeine at 200 mg per day, which leaves room for around 5 cans, although most clinicians recommend keeping daily soda intake low for reasons unrelated to caffeine.
How it compares against the wider Diet Coke family
| Variant (12 oz can) | Calories | Caffeine | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diet Coke (original) | 0 | 46 mg | Aspartame |
| Diet Coke Caffeine Free | 0 | 0 mg | Aspartame |
| Diet Coke Cherry | 0 | 34 mg | Aspartame, Ace-K |
| Diet Coke Feisty Cherry | 0 | 46 mg | Aspartame, Ace-K |
| Coke Zero Sugar Cherry | 0 | 34 mg | Aspartame, Ace-K |
Feisty Cherry is the spicier, ginger forward limited edition that the brand has returned to seasonally; it sits on the standard Diet Coke base and carries the higher 46 mg caffeine load.
FAQs
Is Diet Cherry Coke vegan?
Yes. The official ingredient list contains no animal derived components, and Coca-Cola has confirmed its zero calorie colas are suitable for a vegan diet.
Is it gluten free?
Yes. There are no wheat, barley, or rye derived ingredients in the formula.
Why does it taste different from Cherry Coke Zero?
Because the base cola is different. Diet Coke uses its own 1982 concentrate, while Coke Zero Sugar mimics the classic Coca-Cola recipe. Both then get a cherry layer, but the foundation flavor is not the same.
Does Diet Cherry Coke break a fast?
Strict water fasts: yes, because it contains caffeine, sodium, and artificial sweeteners that can trigger a small cephalic insulin response in some people. Most "clean" intermittent fasting protocols allow it.
The takeaway
Diet Cherry Coke is a zero calorie, zero sugar cola sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame potassium, carrying 34 mg of caffeine and a 40 mg sodium load per 12 oz can. If you want a brighter, sharper cherry profile, this is the right pick. If you want a smoother cola base that hides the diet quality, Coke Zero Sugar Cherry is a closer match to classic Coca-Cola Cherry.
