1. Orbitz Soda
Back in the mid-’90s, Orbitz looked like something out of a science fiction movie. The drink was filled with floating, brightly colored gelatin balls that bobbed around in the bottle, making it feel more like a lava lamp than a soda. It came in quirky flavors like Raspberry Citrus and Pineapple Banana Cherry Coconut, and kids especially were mesmerized by the strange texture. Orbitz promised to be futuristic, fun, and like nothing you’d ever tasted before.
Unfortunately, while it was fun to look at, drinking it was a whole other story. Many people said the taste was bland and the texture of the floating beads was downright unpleasant. The novelty wore off quickly, and it disappeared from shelves just a couple of years after its launch in 1997. Today, bottles of Orbitz are collectors’ items, though no one dares to actually crack one open and try it.
2. Crystal Pepsi
When Crystal Pepsi hit the shelves in 1992, it felt revolutionary. A clear cola without the caramel color sounded healthier, lighter, and somehow futuristic. Ads featuring Van Halen’s “Right Now” made it feel like the soda of tomorrow, and for a while, it was flying off the shelves. People were curious to try a cola that looked like water but promised the same Pepsi taste.
The problem was, it didn’t quite taste the same. Some said it was flat, others thought it was too sweet, and most just felt it didn’t live up to the hype. By 1994, Pepsi pulled it, though it’s been brought back in small nostalgic runs over the years. Fans who remember it fondly still argue that it deserved more time to prove itself.
3. Josta
Launched in 1995, Josta was PepsiCo’s first attempt at an energy drink. It came in a maroon-colored can with bold lettering, and the drink itself had a spicy, fruity flavor mixed with guarana for an extra kick. Long before Red Bull took over the market, Josta was giving people that mid-afternoon jolt. It gained a cult following, especially among teens and young adults who loved its edgy branding.
But as quickly as it arrived, it was gone. By 1999, Pepsi discontinued Josta, citing poor sales compared to its other sodas. Fans still remember it fondly, with online petitions every now and then begging for its return. Sadly, Pepsi has never given in to the demand, leaving Josta as one of the most-missed discontinued drinks of the ’90s.
4. New Coke
Coca-Cola’s decision in 1985 to change its classic formula remains one of the biggest missteps in marketing history. New Coke was introduced with the idea that consumers wanted a sweeter, smoother cola to compete with Pepsi. At first, there was a lot of buzz, and some people even liked the taste. But soon, the backlash became overwhelming.
Americans didn’t just dislike New Coke, they were outraged that Coca-Cola had tampered with a beloved staple. Protests, angry letters, and boycotts followed, and within just a few months, the company was forced to reintroduce the old formula as Coca-Cola Classic. New Coke limped along for a few years but never recovered from the backlash. Today, it’s remembered as a cautionary tale of messing with success.
5. Squeeze It
If you grew up in the ’90s, you probably remember Squeeze It drinks in their colorful, twist-top bottles. Marketed to kids, these fruity drinks were as much about the fun packaging as the taste. Flavors had playful names like Chucklin’ Cherry and Silly Billy Strawberry, and the bottles were shaped with goofy faces that “squeezed” when you drank them. They made lunchtime feel a little more exciting.
Despite their popularity, Squeeze It was quietly discontinued in the early 2000s. The sugary nature of the drink, paired with growing concerns about children’s health, likely played a role in its disappearance. Still, many adults look back fondly at the thrill of cracking open a bottle during recess. It’s one of those drinks that was more about the experience than the flavor.
6. Pepsi Blue
Pepsi Blue was launched in 2002 with a vibrant electric-blue color that practically screamed early 2000s. It was supposed to taste like berry-flavored cola, but most people described it as closer to a melted popsicle. Pepsi poured a ton of money into promoting it, including partnerships with pop culture icons like Britney Spears. For a short time, it felt like the drink of the moment.
But the flavor proved too polarizing. Some people loved the overly sweet taste, while others found it unbearable. By 2004, Pepsi pulled it from U.S. shelves, though it lingered in some international markets. It briefly returned in 2021 for nostalgia’s sake, but once again, it didn’t last long. Pepsi Blue is a perfect example of how bold doesn’t always mean lasting success.
7. Surge
In the late ’90s, Coca-Cola launched Surge to compete with Mountain Dew. It was neon green, citrus-flavored, and marketed with extreme commercials full of skateboarders and daredevils. Kids loved it, and it quickly developed a reputation as the ultimate gamer fuel. For a while, Surge felt unstoppable.
But the caffeine-heavy drink also caught criticism from parents, and its sales started to decline in the early 2000s. Coca-Cola discontinued it in 2003, much to the dismay of its cult following. In 2014, after years of fans demanding its return, Coca-Cola re-released it online in limited quantities, and once again in select stores. While it had its moment in the sun, Surge never managed to hold onto mainstream success.
8. Hi-C Ecto Cooler
Released in 1987 to tie in with Ghostbusters, Hi-C’s Ecto Cooler was neon green and citrus-flavored. Kids loved the idea of drinking something connected to Slimer, and the flavor itself wasn’t bad either. For years, it was a staple of school lunches, and the bright green color made it feel like a sugary treat straight out of a cartoon.
Ecto Cooler stuck around far longer than the movie tie-in, but eventually faded out in the early 2000s. Fans still rave about it, and Coca-Cola brought it back in 2016 for the Ghostbusters reboot, only to pull it again shortly after. Nostalgic drinkers continue to hunt down expired boxes online just for the memory. It’s proof of how strong branding can keep a drink alive long after it’s gone.
9. Tab
Introduced in 1963, Tab was Coca-Cola’s first diet soda. It became a huge hit in the ’70s and ’80s, especially among women who were marketed to heavily with the drink’s low-calorie appeal. It even gained pop culture fame, appearing in movies like Back to the Future. For decades, it had a loyal following that swore by its unique, slightly chemical taste.
But as Diet Coke rose in popularity, Tab’s star began to fade. Coca-Cola finally discontinued it in 2020, ending nearly 60 years of history. Fans were heartbroken, and many felt it deserved to stay on shelves for loyalty alone. Even though its popularity was limited in its later years, for a time, Tab was the face of diet soda.
10. OK Soda
In the mid-1990s, Coca-Cola tried to tap into Generation X with OK Soda. It came in cans with minimalist, artsy designs and carried a kind of ironic, counter-culture vibe. The flavor was described as a citrusy cola, but honestly, most people didn’t know what to make of it. The ads leaned heavily into being “different,” and the brand tried to attract a skeptical, disillusioned audience.
While the concept was clever, it didn’t resonate with enough people. OK Soda lasted only from 1993 to 1995 before Coca-Cola quietly pulled it. Still, the branding was memorable, and today collectors seek out unopened cans. It’s a fascinating reminder of how soda companies tried to capture youth culture in the ’90s—and how tricky that could be.
11. Coca-Cola Blāk
Launched in 2006, Coca-Cola Blāk was an unusual mix of cola and coffee. Packaged in sleek, black glass bottles, it looked more upscale than your average soda. The idea was to appeal to adults who wanted a sophisticated caffeine boost. For a moment, it seemed like Coca-Cola might be onto something with this hybrid.
But the flavor didn’t click with most consumers. Some said it was too bitter, others found it too sweet, and very few thought it struck the right balance. Sales quickly dropped, and Coca-Cola discontinued Blāk by 2008. Still, it was a bold experiment, and today it feels like a predecessor to the modern coffee-flavored sodas and energy drinks that are much more common.
12. Hubba Bubba Soda
If you thought gum-flavored soda was a good idea, you weren’t alone—at least in the 1980s. Hubba Bubba Soda was a bubblegum-flavored soft drink that sounded fun on paper. Kids were intrigued, and its connection to the already popular gum brand made it seem like a sure thing. For a while, it sold reasonably well, especially among curious young drinkers.
But the novelty quickly wore off once people realized that bubblegum flavor isn’t exactly refreshing in liquid form. Many described it as overwhelmingly sweet, and it didn’t take long for sales to plummet. Hubba Bubba Soda quietly vanished, leaving behind one of the strangest drink experiments of its time. It’s remembered today as a prime example of how not every candy should be turned into a soda.
13. Slice
Introduced in the mid-1980s, Slice was Pepsi’s answer to Sprite and 7UP. It came in several fruity flavors like lemon-lime, mandarin orange, and apple, and it was heavily marketed with the claim of containing real fruit juice. For a while, Slice was extremely popular and had a bright, colorful image that appealed to families.
By the early 2000s, though, Slice started losing ground to competitors, especially Sierra Mist. Pepsi eventually discontinued it and replaced it with Sierra Mist, which has also since been replaced by Starry. Slice had a solid run but is remembered as a soda that shone brightly before fading into the background. Many still miss its mandarin orange flavor in particular.
14. Pepsi Twist
In 2000, Pepsi introduced Pepsi Twist, a cola with a splash of lemon. Advertised with quirky commercials, including one featuring Britney Spears, it seemed like a fun spin on the classic soda. People liked the refreshing citrus twist, and for a short while, it looked like it could stick around.
But the lemon flavor didn’t win over everyone. Sales fizzled, and by 2006, Pepsi Twist was gone in most markets. It still lingers in a few places overseas, but in the U.S., it’s just another soda that burned bright before disappearing. Fans who enjoyed its refreshing taste still wonder why it never got a proper chance.
15. Fruitopia
In the mid-’90s, Coca-Cola introduced Fruitopia as a New Age beverage aimed at teens and college kids. With trippy ads, bright fruit flavors, and a slightly alternative vibe, it quickly became a favorite. Flavors like Strawberry Passion Awareness and Tangerine Wavelength made it stand out, and it seemed like Coca-Cola had found its answer to Snapple.
But as Snapple grew stronger and other fruit drinks took over, Fruitopia’s popularity declined. By the early 2000s, Coca-Cola pulled it from most markets, though a few flavors lived on under the Minute Maid brand. For a while, though, Fruitopia really felt like the drink of a generation. Many still remember its psychedelic packaging and wish they could sip it one more time.