15 Soda Brands From the 1970s That Disappeared

These long-lost sodas from the 1970s were all about daring flavors and the ever-evolving whims of consumers, but they fizzled out as the soft drink scene got a makeover thanks to competition, marketing, and industry shake-ups.

Alyana Aguja
March 25, 2026
10 min read

15 Soda Brands From the 1970s That Disappeared — Deepal Tamang from Unsplash

The 1970s soda scene was a wild ride of daring concoctions, fierce rivalries, and fickle taste buds, resulting in the meteoric rise and spectacular fall of a plethora of quirky soft drink brands. Drinks such as Aspen, Rondo, and Simbas waltzed onto the scene with bold new flavors that dared to take on the cola crown, while the likes of Teem and Upper 10 tried their hand at outshining the citrus big shots. Some brands slipped into obscurity thanks to lackluster marketing, while others found themselves wrestling with ever-changing regulations or the latest production fads. Even the old-timers like Hires and Delaware Punch faded into the background as the big players strutted their stuff and took over the scene.

1. Aspen Soda

Aspen Soda burst onto the scene in the 1970s, flaunting its crisp apple flavor as a refreshing rebel amid the sea of mundane cola and citrus options. PepsiCo rolled this out when brands were on a quest to charm the youth with fruity concoctions that promised to tickle their taste buds. The soda sported a vibrant green label and a crisp taste that danced delightfully away from the clutches of those syrupy colas. Countless families snagged it for their weekend shindigs, where its delightful apple essence danced perfectly with snacks and al fresco feasts. It had a contemporary flair with just a hint of daring, particularly for those who typically stick to the classics in the beverage department.

2. Teem Soda

Teem Soda burst onto the scene as Pepsi’s zesty retort to the lemon-lime rivalry of the 1960s and managed to keep its head above water through the groovy 1970s. It served up a zesty citrus punch, ready to take on the titans of refreshment like Sprite and 7UP. Bottles of Teem had a knack for crashing family dinners, picnics, and school events like they were the life of the party. Its branding radiated joy, and its flavor danced on the sweeter side compared to its rivals. For many, it was a trusty sidekick that spiced things up without wandering too far from the comfort zone of familiar tastes. Yet, Teem found itself in a bit of a pickle, trying to keep up with the flashy marketing antics of its more formidable competitors.

3. Wink Soda

Wink Soda strutted onto the scene with a grapefruit flavor so bold, it practically waved goodbye to all those sugary sodas of the time. First making its debut earlier but truly stealing the spotlight in the 1970s, it became the talk of the town for its intriguingly bitter flavor. Many adults gravitated towards Wink, finding it a tad more sophisticated than those sugary concoctions. It frequently made an appearance at social shindigs where folks craved something refreshing without the sugar overload. The branding oozed sophistication, making it a magnet for a particular crowd. Despite its one-of-a-kind charm, Wink found itself in a bit of a pickle when it came to broadening its fanbase beyond a select few.

4. Rondo Soda

Rondo Soda burst into the 1970s with a personality as vibrant as its bold slogan, which confidently claimed it would “make your mouth water.” Crafted by The Coca-Cola Company, it showcased a tart citrus flavor that favored a delightful bitterness over sugary sweetness. This imparted a zesty, invigorating flavor that boldly eclipsed the more timid lemon-lime beverages. Its advertising often had a cheeky flair for the time, appealing to young adults in search of a fizzy alternative to the usual soda suspects. Rondo swiftly turned into the life of the party, sparking chatter and chuckles at every casual gathering. Even with a name that sticks like gum to your shoe, Rondo found it tough to keep the spotlight shining on it for the long haul.

5. Like Cola

Cola made its grand entrance in the 1960s and managed to stick around in the 1970s, strutting its stuff as one of the pioneering diet soft drinks. Crafted by The 7 Up Company, it sweetened the deal with cyclamate, charming those on the hunt for a lighter calorie count. In an era when diet culture was just starting to make waves, Like Cola seemed refreshingly contemporary and sensible. It was frequently the go-to for grown-ups seeking the fizzy delight of soda without the sugar overload. Its branding is all about keeping it simple and looking good while doing it. Alas, its moment in the spotlight was fleeting, thanks to some pesky regulatory changes.

6. Simbas Soda

Simbas Soda made its grand entrance courtesy of Coca-Cola in 1968 and strutted its stuff into the early 1970s as a zesty, citrus-flavored delight with a personality that could light up a room. It boasted a vibrant orange hue and a flavor that danced between grapefruit and orange, creating a zesty symphony for the taste buds. The name “Simbas” was designed to spark energy and excitement, perfectly aligning with the audacious flair of its packaging. It caught the eye of the younger crowd who relished lively flavors and cheeky branding. For a brief moment, it shone like a zesty beacon amidst the sea of more traditional citrus sodas.

7. Kickapoo Joy Juice

Kickapoo Joy Juice boasted a name that danced on the edge of whimsy and intrigue, drawing its charm from the comic strip Li’l Abner. It made its debut earlier, yet it continued to strut its stuff in the 1970s as a zesty citrus soda, charming a devoted fanbase. The concoction blended orange, lemon, and lime notes, crafting a sweet yet zesty profile that tickled the taste buds of the younger crowd. Its branding embraced a cheeky sense of humor, making it stand out in a sea of sodas that opted for a more serious vibe. Bottles of Kickapoo had a knack for popping up at quaint little shops and neighborhood shindigs. Yet, its charm never quite managed to break free from the cozy confines of niche markets.

8. Patio Cola

Patio Cola made its grand entrance courtesy of PepsiCo, stepping in as the wallet-friendly sidekick to its flagship cola family. In the 1970s, it strutted onto the scene as a straightforward, no-nonsense soda, delivering a classic flavor without the fancy price tag. It caught the eye of families seeking a budget-friendly choice for their daily feasts and get-togethers. The branding was understated, and the packaging was devoid of the eye-popping flair that you’d find on fancier sodas. Even so, Patio Cola managed to sneak into grocery stores and local shops like a stealthy ninja of the beverage world. As time ticked on, the brand found itself in a bit of a pickle, trying to keep up with the heavyweights in the same corporate ring.

9. Upper 10 Soda

Upper 10 Soda burst onto the scene thanks to RC Cola, aiming to tango with the titans of the lemon-lime soda world. It stole the spotlight in the 1970s with its zesty, invigorating flavor and crisp branding. The name hinted at something lofty, lending it an air of sophistication that set it apart from the usual fizzy fare. It turned into a staple at family gatherings and laid-back outings, where its refreshing flavor provided a breezy alternative to the usual cola crowd-pleasers. Though it started with a bang, Upper 10 found itself slipping on a banana peel in the market race. The big players are hogging the shelf space and the ad dollars, leaving the little guys scrambling to catch a break.

10. Bubble Up

Image from Dad's Root Beer — Image from Dad’s Root Beer

Bubble Up made its grand entrance decades ago, sparkling with lemon-lime charm throughout the 1970s, but eventually, it started to slip into the shadows of soda history. It delivered a refreshing, pristine flavor that countless families linked to uncomplicated dinners and sunny afternoons. Its branding frequently flaunted purity and refreshment, making it quite the standout in its heyday. In the 1970s, it managed to stick around in a few select spots, where devoted fans opted for it over the flashier, more hyped-up brands. Yet, the ever-increasing reign of Sprite and 7UP turned Bubble Up’s quest for relevance into quite the uphill battle.

11. Fresca Black Cherry Citrus

Fresca Black Cherry Citrus was a fleeting flirtation in the original Fresca lineup, brought to life by Coca-Cola. In the fabulous ’70s, the brand decided to jazz things up by blending a zesty citrus kick with a cheeky whisper of cherry. This mix added a dash of decadence to the usual grapefruit flavor. It lured in inquisitive drinkers eager for a fresh twist, all while sipping on a soda that won’t sabotage their diet. Its one-of-a-kind flavor had a fleeting moment of fame on store shelves. Even with its imaginative flair, the flavor just couldn’t stick around for the long haul. It seems many consumers were quite fond of the original Fresca, which boasted a personality as bold as a summer day.

12. Mountain Dew Throwback (Early Formula Phase-Out)

In the 1970s, Mountain Dew decided to shake things up, bidding adieu to its beloved cane sugar formula in several markets. As the brand flourished, this earlier iteration faded into obscurity, much like a forgotten relic, while companies jumped on the high-fructose corn syrup bandwagon. The original formula boasted a taste that was a tad smoother and less sharp, like a well-tailored suit compared to a pair of jeans on laundry day. Many seasoned sippers caught on to the shift, particularly those who had fond memories of the original brew. As production methods waltzed into the future, the original formula tiptoed away from the spotlight, leaving us to wonder where it went.

13. Hires Root Beer (Bottled Soda Decline Phase)

Hires Root Beer was one of the original soft drink success stories, maintaining its fame and fortune all the way through the groovy 1970s. It boasted a delightful, nostalgic taste that countless families linked to the good old days of classic American soda fountains. Bottled versions were still strutting their stuff on store shelves, making guest appearances at home dinners and casual shindigs alike. The brand had that charming old-school vibe, making it feel like a trusty friend to the seasoned crowd. Yet, in the groovy 1970s, Hires started to fade from the fizzy scene in bottled soda form. Brands like A&W and Mug cranked up the competition, while fresh marketing tactics had consumers doing a double take.

14. Delaware Punch (Original Formula Decline)

Delaware Punch was famous for its one-of-a-kind grape-like flavor that danced circles around your average soda. It stuck around in the 1970s, particularly in some areas, where it garnered quite a fan club. The drink boasted a robust and just-a-hint-tart flavor that set it apart from those sugary grape sodas vying for attention. Countless folks link it to celebrations or see it as a delightful twist away from the usual cola fare. Its unique flavor left a memorable mark on everyone who dared to taste it. Even with its one-of-a-kind charm, Delaware Punch had a bit of a struggle when it came to winning over the masses. Ownership changes and market whims have dimmed its spotlight.

15. Canfield’s 50/50

Canfield’s 50/50 was a zesty concoction that harmoniously married the tangy notes of orange and grapefruit into a refreshingly smooth beverage. In the fabulous 1970s, it strutted into the spotlight with a refreshing taste and a profile that was just a tad lighter than those hefty sodas. It was frequently the pick of those seeking a twist on the usual, yet still cozy in its familiarity. The name practically winks at you, hinting at a delightful blend that beckons to those in search of a little something different. It quietly charmed its way into the hearts of certain regions and local markets. As the years rolled on, Canfield’s 50/50 found itself in a bit of a pickle, having a tough time breaking out of its loyal fan club.