18 Limited-Edition Sodas That Came and Went Too Soon
These sodas hit the shelves with hype but disappeared before fans could get enough.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Soft drink companies love experimenting with bold flavors, but not every soda sticks around. Some were instant hits that vanished without warning, while others were bizarre creations that didn’t last long. Whether you loved them or never got the chance to try them, these 18 limited-edition sodas deserve another shot.
1. Crystal Pepsi (1992, 2015, 2022)
Packer1028 on Wikimedia Commons
A clear cola that promised a pure, refreshing taste, Crystal Pepsi was a ’90s novelty. Despite its clean look, it still tasted like regular Pepsi, confusing customers.
2. Coca-Cola BlāK (2006-2008)
Josh Hallett on Wikimedia Commons
This coffee-flavored Coca-Cola was ahead of its time. Mixing Coke with real coffee seemed like a great idea, but the bitter aftertaste turned many away.
3. Pepsi Blue (2002-2004, 2021)
Fieldafar on Wikimedia Commons
A bright blue, berry-flavored cola, Pepsi Blue was impossible to ignore. It had a cult following but never caught on with the mainstream.
4. Surge (1996-2003, 2014-2020)
Magnus Kolstad on Flickr
Marketed as Coca-Cola’s answer to Mountain Dew, Surge was an extreme citrus-flavored soda. It gained a devoted fan base before vanishing in the early 2000s. Coca-Cola revived it briefly in 2014 due to online demand.
5. 7UP Gold (1988-1989)
Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Unlike regular 7UP, this version had a spiced, almost similar to ginger ale in flavor. It was an odd departure from the brand’s lemon-lime identity.
6. Dr Pepper Berries & Cream (2006-2007, 2022)
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
A sweet twist on Dr. Pepper, this soda blended blackberry and vanilla flavors. It developed a cult following but disappeared almost instantly.
7. Mountain Dew Pitch Black (2004-2019, 2023)
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
A Halloween-themed grape-flavored Mountain Dew, Pitch Black was a seasonal favorite. It disappeared in 2019 but made a short-lived return in 2023.
8. Coke C2 (2004-2007)
Holly Cheng on Wikimedia Commons
Marketed as a low-carb Coca-Cola, Coke C2 tried to balance full flavor with fewer calories. Unfortunately, Diet Coke and Coke Zero overshadowed it.
9. Sprite Remix (2003-2005, 2016)
J Bar on Wikimedia Commons
This tropical twist on Sprite came in three flavors—Tropical, Berryclear, and Aruba Jam. It was a refreshing departure from the original lemon-lime formula.
10. Hubba Bubba Soda (1980s-1990s)
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
A liquid version of Hubba Bubba bubble gum, this soda was as sweet as it sounds. Kids loved it, but adults found it way too sugary.
11. Pepsi Holiday Spice (2004-2006, 2022)
Tim Ereneta on Flickr
This festive Pepsi soda with cinnamon and nutmeg flavors was perfect for the holidays. Despite its warm, seasonal taste, it never became a yearly tradition.
12. Mountain Dew Supernova (2008, 2011)
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
A strawberry-melon Mountain Dew with a blast of ginseng, Supernova was a bold flavor experiment. It won a “Dewmocracy” contest in 2008 but failed to stick around.
13. Coca-Cola Lime (2005-2007, 2014-2018)
My100cans on Wikimedia Commons
Adding a twist of lime to Coca-Cola seemed like a great idea. While it had a loyal fan base, it never caught on the way Cherry Coke did. It quietly left shelves in 2007, returned in 2014, and disappeared again in 2018.
14. Pepsi AM (1989-1990)
Tatsnorad on Wikimedia Commons
Designed as a morning alternative to coffee, Pepsi AM had extra caffeine for a bigger energy boost. The concept made sense, but people preferred their caffeine in coffee, not cola.
15. Josta (1995-1999)
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
One of the first energy soda drinks, Josta contained guarana for an extra caffeine kick. It developed a loyal following, but Coca-Cola discontinued it without much warning.
16. Fanta Red Cream Soda (2000s)
Magnus Opiumm on Flickr
This creamy, vanilla-infused Fanta was a dream for soda lovers. Unlike its fruity siblings, it had a rich, smooth taste. It quietly vanished from stores, leaving fans searching for a replacement.
17. Vault (2005-2011)
Nick Gray on Flickr
A citrusy, high-caffeine soda, Vault was marketed as a soda-energy drink hybrid. It had a loyal following but was replaced by Mello Yello in 2011.
18. RC Edge (2002-2003)
U.S. Embassy in Tashkent on Wikimedia Commons
RC Cola tried to break into the energy drink market with RC Edge, a high-caffeine cola. Unfortunately, it never gained traction against Mountain Dew and Pepsi Max.