13 Discontinued Drinks That Sparked Cult Followings
These beloved beverages may be long gone, but their fan bases never truly let them go.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Some drinks come and go without much fanfare, but others leave a lasting thirst in our memories. Whether it was their bold flavor, quirky branding, or ahead-of-their-time appeal, these discontinued beverages built die-hard fan followings that still beg for a comeback. Here are 13 legendary drinks that disappeared from shelves — but never from our hearts.
1. Crystal Pepsi
Farside268 on Wikimedia Commons
This clear cola was meant to be the future of soda — clean, caffeine-free, and totally transparent. It confused taste buds but fascinated a generation. Despite its short shelf life, its retro-futuristic vibe lives on in nostalgia.
2. Orbitz
Candeadly on Wikimedia Commosn
Part drink, part lava lamp, this bizarre beverage featured suspended jelly balls floating in bright liquid. It looked more like a science experiment than a refreshment.
3. Surge
Magnus Kolstad on Flickr
Marketed as the extreme alternative to Mountain Dew, Surge was all about energy, action, and citrus punch. It became a middle school icon in the late ’90s.
4. Ecto Cooler
Phil Dokas on Flickr
Originally tied to Ghostbusters, this green citrus-flavored Hi-C was a lunchbox legend. The tie-in with Slimer gave it instant cool points. Even after the movie faded, kids begged for more.
5. Pepsi Blue
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
With its electric blue color and berry flavor, Pepsi Blue was a bold departure from the norms of cola. It was too weird for some, but others became loyal fans overnight.
6. OK Soda
Brent Moore on Flickr
Designed to be anti-marketing marketing, this Gen X-targeted cola was drenched in irony. The packaging was grayscale and moody, with intentionally vague messaging.
7. Jolt Cola
Kimmy Lindell Ekström on Wikimedia Commons
Before energy drinks took over, Jolt was the original “more caffeine, more power” soda. Its slogan said it all: “All the sugar and twice the caffeine.”
8. 7UP Gold
Julian Rösner on Unsplash
A spiced version of the normally citrusy 7UP, this drink tasted like a hybrid between ginger ale and cola. It confused fans of the original brand. Despite the interesting twist, it never caught on.
9. Tab
Fiona Henderson on Wikimedia Commons
Coca-Cola’s first diet soda had a loyal base, especially among ’70s and ’80s dieters. Its saccharin-sweet taste was polarizing, but fans were fiercely devoted. When it was discontinued in 2020, it felt like the end of an era.
10. Fruitopia
Phil Nelson on Flickr
This New Age juice brand from Coca-Cola was a staple in school vending machines and malls. With psychedelic names and trippy ads, it felt like health food for the MTV crowd.
11. Vault
Nick Gray on Flickr
A hybrid soda-energy drink, Vault promised to “drink like a soda, kick like an energy drink.” It had the citrus bite of Surge, but with more punch. Aimed at the energy drink boom, it burned fast and bright.
12. Slice
Ali Madad Sakhirani on Pexels
Before fruit-flavored sodas were trendy, Slice was the go-to for a fruity fix. With flavors like apple and mandarin orange, it stood out from the competition.
13. Snapple Elements
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
These nature-themed drinks — Rain, Fire, Earth, and so on — stood out with unique ingredients and cool glass bottles. They were less sugary and felt more “premium” than other drinks.