13 Soda Flavors from the Past That Deserve a Comeback
These 13 old-school sodas were wild, weird, and way better than most of what’s on shelves now.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Back in the day, soda companies took real risks with their flavors—and some of them totally paid off. From bubblegum fizz to bright blue cola, these drinks had serious personality. They disappeared too soon, and honestly, the soda aisle could use their comeback energy.
1. Crystal Pepsi
Mike Mozart on Wikimedia Commons
This clear cola was Pepsi’s answer to… nothing, really. It looked like water but tasted like cola, which confused everyone in the best way. It had a short but loud run in the early ’90s before disappearing. People still beg for it online, and the occasional limited release proves it had a cult following.
2. Surge
Surgeenergydrink on Wikimedia Commons
If Mountain Dew had a louder, wilder cousin, it was Surge. Launched by Coca-Cola in the late ’90s, it was neon green, heavily caffeinated, and aimed at kids who wore flame-print shirts. It was pulled after a few years but made a brief comeback due to online pressure. Honestly, it still has “extreme” energy that the current market could use.
3. Pepsi Blue
Fieldafar on Wikimedia Commons
This bright blue, berry-flavored soda looked radioactive and tasted like liquid candy. It was Pepsi’s early-2000s attempt to attract younger drinkers. It vanished after a few years, but people still talk about it like a long-lost friend. It’s one of those drinks you didn’t realize you missed until it was gone.
4. OK Soda
TeemPlayer on Wikimedia Commons
Launched in the mid-’90s by Coca-Cola, OK Soda was more of a social experiment than a drink. It had weird, artsy packaging and a super vague cola-citrus flavor. It tried to market apathy to Gen X—yep, that was the pitch. It flopped hard, but its weirdness has only made it more legendary.
5. Josta
Schekinov Alexey Victorovich on Wikimedia Commons
This was one of the first energy sodas in the U.S., packed with guarana and a strange, spicy-fruity taste. Coca-Cola put it out in the mid-’90s and quickly gained a niche fanbase. It had bold colors and branding way before energy drinks were cool. Today, it would fit on shelves next to Red Bull and Monster.
6. 7UP Gold
D-Kuru on Wikimedia Commons
This soda was 7UP’s strange attempt at a spiced, amber-colored soda. It was supposed to be a caffeine-free alternative to cola, but nobody really knew what it tasted like. It vanished quickly, but people still remember it as “the dark 7UP.” It had a cult vibe that could work now with the right branding.
7. Hubba Bubba Soda
Magnus Manske on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, this was a thing. It tasted exactly like bubble gum and came in a super sweet, pink fizz. It wasn’t for everyone, but if you were a kid in the ’80s, it felt like pure sugar joy. Bring it back as a novelty flavor, and you’d have instant nostalgia in a can.
8. Coca-Cola BlāK
Josh Hallett on Wikimedia Commons
This was Coke’s coffee-soda hybrid—basically fizzy coffee in a tiny bottle. People didn’t know what to do with it, but it was ahead of its time. Today, with cold brew everything dominating, it would absolutely crush. It’s time to give it another shot with better marketing.
9. Slice
Vinoth offl on Wikimedia Commons
Before Sierra Mist or Starry, there was Slice. It came in multiple fruit flavors—orange, lemon-lime, cherry cola—and had real juice, which was a big deal then. It slowly disappeared in the 2000s, but people still ask why it disappeared. Honestly, it could compete with Fanta and Crush right now.
10. Dr Pepper Berries & Cream
CF496233 on WIkimedia Commons
This was one of those limited flavors that made zero sense but somehow worked. It had the usual Dr Pepper base with a smooth berry and cream twist. Years later, it got memed hard, which gave it a weird second life. Fans still beg for it on social media, and it deserves more than a comeback TikTok.
11. Mountain Dew Pitch Black
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This dark grape version of Mountain Dew came out around Halloween and had a spooky, midnight-vibe look. The flavor was bold and different, way more interesting than most of today’s sugar bombs. It had a few brief revivals, but it’s mostly disappeared. This one actually tasted good, not just weird, which makes it comeback-worthy.
12. RC Draft Cola
Frank Deanrdo on Wikimedia Commons
This was Royal Crown’s attempt to make a smoother, creamier version of cola, like it was straight from a soda fountain. It had this cool, retro vibe and came in glass bottles. It never really caught on, but it felt classy. With today’s love for vintage branding, this could seriously work.
13. Coke Citra
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Released in international markets like Mexico and Japan, this soda added a citrus twist to regular Coke. It was super refreshing and kind of like what Coke would taste like if it spent summer in a lemon grove. It never made it big in the U.S., but it should have. The combo of citrus and cola still feels fresh today.