Coca-Cola might be preparing to bring back one of its most unusual, and strangely beloved, flavors: Starlight. The space-inspired soda, originally launched in 2022 as part of the company’s Coca-Cola Creations line, quietly disappeared from shelves after its limited-time run. But in recent weeks, signs are pointing to a possible comeback.
And fans aren’t just hopeful—they’re convinced it’s happening.
The speculation gained momentum after the popular Instagram account, SodaSeekers, spotted an updated nutrition facts page for Starlight, along with revised bottle packaging that notably drops the original Coca-Cola Creations branding. That detail alone has sent die-hard soda collectors and fans of the brand into full refresh mode, waiting for an official announcement.
If the rumors are correct, Starlight will return later this year in 20-ounce bottles made with real sugar, available exclusively through an unnamed retail chain. No mention yet of whether the zero-sugar version will also be part of the re-release.
For Coca-Cola, bringing back a flavor like Starlight makes a certain kind of sense. The original launch in 2022 generated buzz precisely because no one could quite pin down what “space-flavored” meant. Some said it tasted like cotton candy. Others swore it had notes of toasted marshmallow. What it definitely had was an aesthetic—deep red hue, black packaging speckled with stars, and a cryptic marketing campaign that leaned into mystery.
And then it vanished.
Now, two years and several experimental releases later, fans seem ready for the return of something familiar, even if it was intentionally undefinable.
Online reactions have been loud, nostalgic, and unusually emotional for a soft drink. “Best Coke flavor ever,” one fan wrote. Another vowed to “stock up” the moment it’s back. If Coca-Cola needed market research, it’s already waiting for them in the comment sections.
In recent months, the company has been teasing several flavor revivals. Diet Cherry Coke is back at Kroger stores. Diet Coke Lime may not be far behind. But Starlight is different—it’s not just a returning flavor, it’s a piece of branding that flirted with science fiction and fandom, something closer to merchandise than refreshment.
Whether this reappearance is a rebrand, a retail exclusive, or a full-blown relaunch remains to be seen. Coca-Cola has yet to confirm any details. But if the past few years have proven anything, it’s that limited-edition sodas don’t stay limited for long, at least not if the internet demands their return.