10 Beverages That Tried to Replace Soda and Failed
These are 10 beverages that entered the market as soda alternatives but failed to stay popular.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 3 min read
Many beverage companies have tried to create healthier or trendier alternatives to soda. Some gained brief attention but were unable to hold consumer interest or compete with established brands. Here are 10 beverages that attempted to replace soda but ultimately disappeared or lost relevance.
1. 1. Crystal Pepsi
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Crystal Pepsi was introduced in the early 1990s as a clear, caffeine-free alternative to regular cola. The novelty of a transparent soda attracted attention at first, but the flavor did not meet consumer expectations. It lacked the strong cola flavor, leaving people disappointed. Sales declined quickly, and the product was discontinued.
2. 2. New Coke
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New Coke was launched in 1985 as a reformulated version of Coca-Cola. The company wanted to modernize the taste, but loyal customers strongly disliked the change. The backlash was so intense that Coca-Cola reintroduced the original formula as Coca-Cola Classic within months. New Coke is remembered as one of the biggest failures in beverage history.
3. 3. Pepsi A.M.
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Pepsi A.M. was marketed in the late 1980s as a morning soda with extra caffeine. The idea was to position it as an alternative to coffee or tea. Consumers did not adopt the habit of drinking soda for breakfast, and the product never caught on. It was discontinued after a short run.
4. 4. Coca-Cola BlāK
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Coca-Cola BlāK was released in 2006 as a coffee-flavored soda. The mix of coffee and cola did not appeal to most consumers, who found the flavor combination strange. It also came in a small glass bottle at a high price, which hurt sales further. It was pulled from the market within two years.
5. 5. Orbitz
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Orbitz was a fruit-flavored drink launched in 1997 with floating edible gel balls inside the liquid. The unusual texture and appearance attracted curiosity but turned off repeat buyers. Many consumers found it more fun to look at than to drink. It was discontinued less than two years after release.
6. 6. Josta
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Josta, introduced by Pepsi in 1995, was one of the first energy sodas. It was marketed as a mix of guarana and traditional soda flavors. While innovative, it arrived before the energy drink market was well established. Sales were poor, and it was discontinued in 1999.
7. 7. OK Soda
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OK Soda was launched by Coca-Cola in 1993 as a youth-oriented soft drink. It came with bold, unconventional packaging and marketing but had an unusual citrus flavor that was not widely liked. The advertising campaign was confusing and did not connect with its target audience. The drink failed after two years.
8. 8. Pepsi Blue
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Pepsi Blue was introduced in 2002 as a berry-flavored soda designed to appeal to younger consumers. Its bright blue color stood out, but the flavor was considered too sweet and artificial. It sold well initially but quickly lost momentum. By 2004, it was removed from U.S. shelves.
9. 9. Tab Clear
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Tab Clear was released in 1992 as a diet clear cola under the Tab brand. It was meant to compete with Crystal Pepsi but confused consumers instead. Many people were unsure if it was a diet drink, a regular soda, or something else entirely. It was discontinued after only a year.
10. 10. Coke C2
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Coke C2 was launched in 2004 as a lower-calorie soda with half the sugar and calories of regular Coca-Cola. It was intended for people who wanted fewer calories but disliked the taste of Diet Coke. Unfortunately, consumers did not find it appealing enough to replace either option. Sales were weak, and it was discontinued within a year.