<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (December 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> Diet (alternatively marketed as sugar - free, zero - calorie or low - calorie) drinks are sugar - free, artificially sweetened versions of fizzy beverages with virtually no calories . They are generally marketed toward health - conscious people, diabetics, athletes, and other people who want to lose weight, improve physical fitness, or reduce their sugar intake . </P> <P> The beginning of the diet drink or refreshment era was in 1952, when Kirsch Bottling in Brooklyn, New York launched a sugar - free ginger ale called No - Cal . It was designed for diabetics, not dieters, and distribution remained local . Royal Crown Cola placed an announcement in an Atlanta newspaper in 1958 announcing a diet product, Diet Rite . In 1962, Dr Pepper released a diet (etic) version of its soft drink, although it sold slowly due to the misconception that it was meant solely for diabetic consumption . In 1963, The Coca - Cola Company joined the diet soft drink market with Tab, which proved to be a huge success . Tab was originally sweetened with cyclamates and saccharin . </P> <P> Tab, Diet Rite, and Fresca (a grapefruit - flavored drink introduced by Coca - Cola) were the only brand - name diet refreshments on the market until Pepsi released Patio Diet Cola in 1963 and renamed Diet Pepsi the following year . Diet 7 Up was released in 1963 under the name Like . It was discontinued in 1969 due to the US government ban of cyclamate sweetener . After reformulation, it was reintroduced as Diet 7 Up in 1970 . It was renamed Sugar Free 7 Up in 1973 then back to Diet 7 Up in 1979 . Coca - Cola countered by releasing Diet Coke in 1982 . After the release of Diet Coke, Tab took a backseat on the Coca - Cola production lines; Diet Coke could be more easily identified by consumers as associated with Coca - Cola than Tab . Additionally, a study was released claiming that saccharin was a possible carcinogen, leading to Coca - Cola's decision to decrease production of Tab . Prompted by the rising popularity of soft drinks, in the mid-1980s some of those in the alcohol industry began to follow their lead with some beer companies putting sugar - free beer on the market . </P>

When did the first diet soda come out