20 Discontinued Soda Flavors We Still Miss
These sodas once delighted taste buds before disappearing from store shelves, leaving fans longing for their return.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Numerous flavors have been made by soda companies throughout the years; some have been immediate blockbusters, while others have fallen into oblivion. There are still devoted fans of several discontinued drinks, and they are requesting that they be brought back. We wish we could still enjoy these 20 classic beverages.
1. Crystal Pepsi
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Launched in the early ‘90s, this clear cola was marketed as a “pure” alternative to traditional dark sodas. Despite a strong initial buzz, it was discontinued after a few years.
2. Coca-Cola Blāk
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This coffee-flavored Coke debuted in 2006, blending cola with a rich coffee essence. It was an attempt to cater to caffeine lovers but never caught on.
3. Orbitz
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This bizarre soda from the ‘90s featured tiny floating gel spheres suspended in a clear liquid. It was more of a novelty than a refreshing drink, and its unusual texture turned off many consumers.
4. Pepsi Blue
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Introduced in 2002, this bright blue, berry-flavored soda was a bold experiment from Pepsi. While it gained a cult following, it was pulled from the U.S. market within two years.
5. Surge
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Coca-Cola’s answer to Mountain Dew, Surge was a high-caffeine citrus soda that became a ‘90s favorite. It disappeared in the early 2000s but made a brief comeback due to fan demand.
6. Hubba Bubba Soda
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Inspired by the famous bubblegum, this soda had an intensely sweet, candy-like flavor. While it captured the essence of chewing gum, it wasn’t exactly refreshing.
7. 7UP Gold
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This spiced soda was introduced in the ‘80s as a bolder alternative to classic 7UP. Its unique flavor, similar to ginger ale with a twist, didn’t catch on.
8. Mountain Dew Pitch Black
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This grape-flavored variation of Mountain Dew was first released as a Halloween special in 2004. It developed a loyal fan base but was pulled from shelves after a short run.
9. Josta
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The first energy soda marketed in the U.S., Josta contained guarana for an extra caffeine kick. It gained a cult following but was discontinued in the late ‘90s.
10. Dr Pepper Berries & Cream
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A sweet and creamy take on classic Dr Pepper, this variation launched in 2006. It quickly disappeared, but fans fondly remember its rich berry-infused flavor.
11. OK Soda
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Coca-Cola’s attempt at marketing to Gen X in the ‘90s, OK Soda had an unconventional citrus-and-cola taste. Its quirky, nihilistic branding confused consumers, leading to poor sales.
12. Fanta Citrus
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This lesser-known Fanta flavor had a refreshing mix of orange and other citrus fruits. It was briefly popular in the 2000s before being discontinued in many regions.
13. Pepsi Holiday Spice
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Released as a limited edition in 2004, this soda featured a cinnamon-spiced cola flavor. It was a festive twist on Pepsi but never became a seasonal staple.
14. Sprite Remix
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This tropical-flavored Sprite variation was a hit in the early 2000s. It offered a fruitier take on the classic lemon-lime soda. Despite its popularity, it disappeared from shelves after a few years.
15. Coca-Cola C2
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A low-carb, lower-calorie version of Coke, C2 was introduced in 2004 as a bridge between regular and diet sodas. It failed to gain traction, especially after Coke Zero launched soon after.
16. Tab
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One of the earliest diet sodas, Tab was a mainstay in the ‘70s and ‘80s before Diet Coke took over. Coca-Cola officially discontinued it in 2020, ending an era.
17. Mello Yello Melon
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This melon-flavored spin-off of Mello Yello had a unique, sweet twist. It was never a major seller and quietly disappeared from the market.
18. New York Seltzer Soda
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A carbonated drink that blurred the line between soda and seltzer, it came in various fruit flavors. It was a ‘90s favorite before fizzling out.
19. RC Edge
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A bold, highly caffeinated version of RC Cola, this drink was meant to compete with energy sodas. It failed to attract a strong following and was soon discontinued.
20. Cherry Coke Zero
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A sugar-free twist on Cherry Coke, this variation developed a small but devoted fan base. Despite its popularity, it was discontinued in favor of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.