20 Retro Drinks That Were Super Popular Back in the Day

Trendy drinks come and go, but some classics have a way of sticking in our memories. From soda shop staples to wild party punches, these retro drinks ruled their eras. Let’s take a nostalgic sip and see which ones still hold up today.

1. Tab

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Tab was the original diet soda before Diet Coke took over, and it had a loyal fanbase despite its slightly odd taste. Marketed as the drink for the weight-conscious crowd, it was packed with saccharin and a lot of ’70s charm. It was discontinued in 2020, but die-hard fans still mourn its loss. Maybe it’s time to bring back the pink can and questionable aftertaste.

2. Zima

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Zima was the ’90s attempt at making clear malt beverages a thing, and for a brief moment, it worked. It was light, citrusy, and felt like the future—until people realized they preferred actual beer. Every now and then, Zima makes a limited-time comeback, and nostalgia drinkers rush to stock up. If you’ve never tried it, imagine a boozy Sprite with a marketing team behind it.

3. Surge

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Surge was Mountain Dew’s wilder, more rebellious cousin, and kids in the ’90s were obsessed. It was green and packed with caffeine, and parents thought it would make you bounce off the walls. The hype eventually died down, but after years of online petitions, Surge made a comeback. It turns out that some people still crave that neon sugar rush.

4. Hi-C Ecto Cooler

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Hi-C Ecto Cooler was a Ghostbusters-themed drink that tasted like pure childhood joy. It had a neon green color that looked vaguely radioactive and only made it cooler. The flavor was citrusy and sweet, and kids in the ‘80s and ‘90s couldn’t get enough of it. It returns for a limited run every so often, proving that nostalgia is powerful.

5. Crystal Pepsi

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Crystal Pepsi was supposed to be the soda of the future, but instead, it became a relic of the past. It had all the fizz and sweetness of regular Pepsi—without color. People were initially curious, but the excitement faded fast, and Crystal Pepsi was gone before the ‘90s ended. Every now and then, Pepsi brings it back just to remind us why clear cola never caught on.

6. Jolt Cola

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Jolt Cola was the ultimate caffeine fix before energy drinks took over. With the slogan “All the sugar, twice the caffeine,” it became a legend among students and late-night workers. Parents hated it, which, of course, made kids want it even more. It eventually disappeared, but for a brief moment, it was the king of hyperactivity.

7. Mello Yello

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Mello Yello was Coca-Cola’s answer to Mountain Dew, and it had a solid fanbase for a while. It was citrusy, packed with caffeine, and felt like summer in a bottle. Though it never reached Dew-level fame, it stuck in the background. If you can find it today, consider yourself lucky.

8. New York Seltzer

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Before flavored sparkling water became trendy, there was New York Seltzer. It came in small glass bottles, had no artificial colors, and tasted like pure nostalgia. The flavors were simple yet delicious, and it felt like the fancy soda of the future for a while. Then it disappeared—until a surprise revival in 2015.

9. Fresca

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Fresca has always been the cool, crisp underdog of the soda world. It’s grapefruit-flavored, sugar-free, and somehow feels fancier than regular soda. Your grandparents probably loved it, but it still has a small but loyal fanbase today. If you want a retro but still refreshing drink, this is the one.

10. Clearly Canadian

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Clearly Canadian was the sparkling water that made people feel fancy in the ‘90s. It came in elegant glass bottles with simple, natural flavors and had a cult following. For years, it disappeared, leaving fans devastated. However, thanks to nostalgia-fueled demand, it made a glorious comeback.

11. Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers

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Wine coolers had their moment in the ‘80s, and Bartles & Jaymes was the brand everyone recognized. They were fruity, sweet, and the perfect gateway drink for anyone who didn’t like the taste of alcohol. The commercials featured two old men thanking you for your business, and somehow, that worked. They still exist, but now they must compete with trendier hard seltzers.

12. Sun Drop

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Sun Drop was a citrus soda packed with way more caffeine than expected. It was like Mountain Dew but with a Southern twang, and people who loved it really loved it. It never quite went mainstream, but it held its own as a regional favorite. If you ever see it on a gas station shelf, grab one—it’s rare.

13. Choc-Ola

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Choc-Ola was basically chocolate milk in soda form, which sounded great in theory. It had a loyal following in the Midwest, but outside of that, it was hit or miss. It disappeared for years, but some small batches have resurfaced, keeping the legend alive. If you ever wanted fizzy Yoo-hoo, this was it.

14. Purple Passion

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Purple Passion was basically grape soda with a punch because it was pre-mixed with Everclear. It was one of those drinks that seemed like a great idea in college but a terrible one the next morning. For a while, it was the go-to for anyone who wanted an easy, boozy sugar rush. Though not as common today, it still lurks in liquor store corners.

15. OK Soda

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OK Soda was Coca-Cola’s weirdest experiment in the ‘90s. It had a bizarre, artsy marketing campaign, and no one could quite figure out what it actually tasted like. Some people swore it was amazing; others thought it was just…OK. Either way, it was gone in less than two years.

16. Orbitz

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Orbitz was part drink, part science experiment, with floating jelly balls suspended in the bottle. It looked cool, but the texture was weird, and most people weren’t sure if they were supposed to drink or chew it. It became a collector’s item more than a beverage. If you ever find an unopened bottle, don’t drink it—just admire it.

17. Cactus Cooler

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Cactus Cooler was a bright orange and pineapple soda that felt like summer in a can. It had a cult following, especially in California and the Southwest. It never got as big as the major sodas, but those who loved it were fiercely loyal. If you ever come across one, give it a try—it’s a hidden gem.

18. Pepsi Blue

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Pepsi Blue was Pepsi’s attempt at making a berry-flavored soda, and it was as bright blue as it sounds. It had a brief run in the early 2000s before vanishing, but its fans never forgot it. After years of begging, Pepsi finally brought it back for a limited time. It turns out that nostalgia tastes a lot like artificial berries.

19. Dr. Slice

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Dr. Slice was supposed to be a competitor to Dr Pepper, but it never really took off. It had a similar taste, just not quite as good. If you remember it, you’re part of a very small club. It faded into soda history, but at least Dr. Pepper is still going strong.

20. Tahitian Treat

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Tahitian Treat was the fruit punch soda that tasted like liquid candy. It was ridiculously sweet, but that was the whole appeal. It’s still around in some places, but it’s not as easy to find as it once was. Grab a can and enjoy the sugar rush if you ever spot it.

• Tags:
• nostalgia
• drinks
• retro
• Soda
• throwback