Sodas… something we can’t go without when celebrating, watching a movie, or wanting to freshen up.
These sugary drinks have been around since the 1700s, and they spend millions of dollars a year to make new additions and to stay desirable.
Some of the sodas stayed pretty much the same over the years, and some came and went.
Here are the 9 sodas from the past that disappeared from the shelves forever, but still stay in our nostalgic minds.
1. Crystal Pepsi
If you grew up in the ’90s, you probably remember the Crystal Pepsi. It was clear and full of caffeine, and basically the ’90s in a bottle.
It tasted like a cola but with a see-through twist. Some people truly loved it, while others had no idea what to think of it.
The confusing color-taste combo just was not for everyone, so it faded away fast. It did make a short comeback later, but even then, people were not impressed.
2. Josta
If you are wondering what the first energy drink was, ‘Josta’ would probably classify as one. It was an energy soda that was simply exotic. It had guarana, a funky kick, and a really loyal cult following.
The flavor was very unique, bold, and slightly herbal, so it was not for everyone.
Fans would still love to see it come back, but without luck. It was one of those new, experimental drinks that most people loved and still remember dearly.
3. Surge
When it was launched in the mid-’90s, Surge was considered to be Mountain Dew’s louder, wilder cousin.
It was marketed to extreme-sports-loving teens, although it was nothing but all sugar, all the time.
When teens started consuming it, it made them too hyper, so the drink was banned from some schools.
However, fans and collectors still hoard vintage cans like liquid gold and wish for this drink’s comeback.
4. Tab
If you were on a diet and you were counting your calories back in the ’70s and ’80s, Tab was probably your favorite drink.
It was Coca-Cola’s original diet soda and a favorite among those who wanted a healthier Cola option. With its pink can and a unique taste, it was oddly chic.
Some people did not like the taste and found it terrible, yet most enjoyed it and were obsessed.
Coke finally retired it in 2020, which did not sit right with the fans. However, with newer low-calorie options, it has quickly been replaced.
5. Slice
Back in 1984, we needed something to rival Sprite and 7Up. And it was loved by many, as it came in multiple fruity flavors and promised “10% real juice”.
The ‘real juice’ trick made it popular among those who opposed sodas but still wanted to try them, or could not say ‘no’ to their kids.
It stayed on grocery shelves for a long time, and it was gone by the 2000s. Yet, its orange, lemon, and apple flavors make it still one of the favorite sodas that most of us miss.
After retiring Slice, Pepsi replaced it with Sierra Mist. This made many Slice fans salty and upset, but I guess to no avail.
6. OK Soda
If you ever wonder what inspired OK Energy, this is it – the edgy, ironic, and fruity flavored OK Soda.
Nine years after the New Coke flop, Coca-Cola tried again with it, a drink designed to capture the disaffected youth of the ’90s.
The branding was innovative, complete with minimalist black-and-white cans designed by underground artists.
The soda was considered very cool, and it came with quirky chain letters, embracing a self-aware, “whatever” vibe which felt very Gen X.
Even though it sold over a million cases in test markets, OK Soda retired by late 1995.
7. Pepsi Blue
When Pepsi Blue hit the shelves, its bright blue color and berry flavor made it look like it belonged in a candy store.
Imagine cotton candy mixed with cola; that is what it tasted like, and it surely was not for everyone. Mostly, it was targeting younger drinkers in 2002, but it soon lost its appeal.
People started realizing that too much sugar is not good for anyone, even children. While some fans loved it, and it reappeared briefly in 2021, it was retired again because it simply was not it anymore.
8. Life Savers Soda
Have you ever imagined what it would taste like to turn a Life Savers candy into a liquid form?
Well, we did get to taste it, and it was called Life Savers Soda. In 1995, this brand decided to experiment and create its own soda.
The bottle even looked like the candy, and the flavors and packaging were consistent with already existing classic hard candy ones: pineapple for yellow, fruit punch for red, and orange for, you guessed it, orange.
Although it did very well in taste tests, it was retired before many even knew it existed. This was the first and the last time this brand experimented with drinks.
9. Coke Blāk
Imagine dropping an espresso into a soda! This idea was turned into reality when Coke decided to experiment and mix the two flavors.
Coke Blāk was very strong, very bubbly, and it tasted like you could work your whole 9-5 without taking a break.
The sugar and the caffeine definitely made you full of energy, and it was debated whether to sip it at breakfast or have it instead of an ice-cream.
The black and gold tones on the packaging made it very attractive, and it was packaged in a bottle reminiscent of the classic Coca-Cola bottle shape.
However, it did not live long, and it soon disappeared to the soda history with the rest of the drinks from this list.
