13 Discontinued Beverages With Cult Followings
These discontinued drinks may be gone from store shelves, but they still live on in the memories of devoted fans.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Every decade leaves behind a trail of iconic drinks that vanish without a trace. Some were bold experiments. Others had short-lived success. However, all of them developed die-hard followings. These beverages remind us how strongly a simple drink can stick in our cultural memory.
1. Crystal Pepsi
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
Launched in the early ’90s, Crystal Pepsi stood out with its clear color and futuristic branding. It promised the familiar cola taste without the caramel tint.
2. Orbitz
Candeadly on Wikimedia Commons
Orbitz was more than a drink; it was an experience. Its fruit-flavored liquid came filled with floating, jelly-like beads that looked straight out of a lava lamp.
3. Surge
Magnus Kolstad on Flickr
Marketed as a high-energy citrus soda, Surge quickly gained a reputation as the ultimate gamer fuel of the ’90s. Its intense flavor and neon green color made it unforgettable.
4. Josta
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
Pepsi’s Josta was the first energy soda in the U.S., packing guarana for an extra kick. With its exotic branding and cult vibe, it appealed to adventurous teens and college students.
5. Hi-C Ecto Cooler
Phil Dokas on Flickr
Originally tied to Ghostbusters, this citrus-flavored Hi-C juice box became a staple of childhood lunches. Its bright green color made it instantly recognizable.
6. Pepsi Blue
Hostagecat on Flickr
This bright, berry-flavored soda hit shelves in the early 2000s and stood out with its electric blue color. Some loved it, others found it too sweet, but nobody forgot it.
7. New Coke
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
In the mid-’80s, Coca-Cola shocked fans by replacing its classic formula with New Coke. The backlash was massive, and the original quickly returned.
8. OK Soda
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
OK Soda leaned into irony, with minimalist gray cans and edgy marketing aimed at Gen X. Its citrusy cola flavor was secondary to the brand’s counterculture image.
9. Pepsi Twist
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
This cola with a splash of lemon was refreshing and slightly unexpected. It offered a zesty twist on a classic but didn’t last long in the U.S. Many who tried it still say it was one of Pepsi’s best experiments.
10. Fruitopia
Phil Nelson on Flickr
Marketed in the ’90s as a “cool alternative” to soda, Fruitopia featured bold fruit blends and psychedelic packaging. It was heavily pushed in schools and vending machines.
11. Vault
Nick Gray on Flickr
Vault was Coca-Cola’s answer to Surge, promoted as an “energy soda” that promised to “drink like a soda, kick like an energy drink.” Its strong citrus punch won loyal fans.
12. Pepsi Holiday Spice
Tim Ereneta on Flickr
A seasonal release, this soda had hints of cinnamon and ginger, giving it a festive twist. Some loved its bold flavor while others found it strange.
13. Squeezit
ZolHaj on Wikimedia Commons
These fruit drinks came in quirky, squeezable plastic bottles that kids loved more than the taste itself. The bottles often featured goofy faces, making them fun to collect.