1. New Coke
In 1985, Coca-Cola decided to mess with perfection and introduced New Coke, replacing the original formula that had been around for nearly a century. The backlash was immediate and intense, with fans hoarding cans of the old recipe and even organizing protests. It became one of the biggest product flops in history, forcing Coca-Cola to bring back the original formula just a few months later.
New Coke did linger in some markets for years, but it never caught on the way the company hoped. The whole fiasco became a case study in marketing gone wrong. To this day, many people remember exactly where they were when they first heard Coca-Cola was changing. It’s one of those products that disappeared quietly but left behind a huge story.
2. Pepsi Free
Before caffeine-free sodas became a whole category, Pepsi Free hit the market in the early ’80s as one of the first major caffeine-free colas. The red cans stood out, and if you were a kid, your parents might have picked it up as a “healthier” choice without realizing it still had plenty of sugar.
It even got a pop culture boost when Marty McFly ordered one in Back to the Future. By the late ’80s, Pepsi decided to rebrand it as Caffeine-Free Pepsi, and the Pepsi Free name disappeared. While you can still buy the caffeine-free version, the original branding is just a memory now. Those bright red cans still make collectors smile.
3. Hubba Bubba Soda
Hubba Bubba was already a hit in the gum aisle, so why not turn it into a drink? The soda came in flavors like Original Bubble Gum and Strawberry, with a sweet, candy-like fizz. Kids loved it, but parents… not so much.
It was colorful, fun, and pure sugar in a can. Unfortunately, it wasn’t exactly a beverage you’d drink daily, and it faded from shelves by the late ’80s. These days, it’s one of those products people bring up on nostalgia forums, wondering if they dreamed it. Nope, it was real — and unforgettable.
4. Slice
In the mid-’80s, Pepsi introduced Slice as a fruity soda line with real fruit juice, which was a novelty at the time. It came in flavors like Lemon-Lime, Mandarin Orange, and Apple, all in colorful cans that screamed ’80s design.
Slice actually did well for a while, but competition from brands like Sprite and 7UP slowly edged it out. By the early 2000s, it was gone entirely in the U.S., though it had already lost much of its ’80s glory. These days, old Slice ads feel like a time capsule of neon and big hair.
5. Crystal Pepsi
Technically released in the early ’90s, Crystal Pepsi’s hype started in the late ’80s when clear drinks were seen as “healthier” and more pure. It looked like sparkling water but tasted like cola, and that novelty sold millions of bottles.
Still, the flavor didn’t click with everyone, and it quietly vanished after a short run. While Pepsi has brought it back for limited editions, it’s never been a permanent fixture. For many, it’s the drink that perfectly sums up the era’s obsession with being different just for the sake of it.
6. Pepsi AM
For a brief time in 1989, Pepsi decided to market a cola specifically for breakfast. Pepsi AM had 28 percent more caffeine than regular Pepsi, pitched as a way to replace your morning coffee. It came in the same blue can, just with “AM” stamped on the label.
The idea didn’t take off, likely because most people weren’t ready to swap their coffee for soda first thing in the morning. It was gone within a year, making it one of Pepsi’s fastest disappearances. If nothing else, it proved even the ’80s had its limits.
7. Dr Pepper Red Fusion
Dr Pepper is known for having a distinct taste, so when they launched Red Fusion in the late ’80s, it felt like a bold twist. It had a cherry-like flavor and a deep red color that made it stand out on the shelves.
While it had its fans, the flavor never reached the popularity of classic Dr Pepper. It disappeared not long after its release, making it one of the brand’s forgotten experiments. For those who loved it, nothing else has really filled the gap.
8. 7UP Gold
In 1988, 7UP shocked everyone by introducing a spicy, amber-colored soda called 7UP Gold. It was nothing like the clear lemon-lime drink people expected — more like a mix between ginger ale and a cola.
The flavor confused customers, and sales dropped fast. It only lasted about a year before it was pulled. Today, it’s remembered mostly as a “what were they thinking?” moment in soda history.
9. OK Soda
OK Soda was one of Coca-Cola’s most unusual projects, introduced in test markets in the late ’80s. The branding was ironic, the cans had quirky artwork, and the flavor was a citrusy cola hybrid.
It was aimed squarely at Generation X, with an offbeat, almost sarcastic marketing campaign. Unfortunately, it never made it past the niche crowd and was discontinued quickly. Collectors still prize the cans as a piece of quirky ’80s pop culture.
10. Aspen Soda
Aspen Soda was Coca-Cola’s attempt at a crisp, apple-flavored soft drink in the late ’70s and early ’80s. It came in green cans with a simple design, and the taste was refreshing, especially if you liked apple juice with a fizzy twist.
While it developed a small group of loyal fans, it never broke into the mainstream soda market. By the early ’80s, Coca-Cola quietly pulled it from shelves. Today, it’s remembered as one of those drinks that felt ahead of its time — especially now that sparkling apple beverages are everywhere.
11. Jolt Cola
Marketed with the slogan “All the sugar and twice the caffeine,” Jolt Cola was the go-to drink for cramming college students and night owls. It hit shelves in the mid-’80s, proudly embracing the opposite of the diet soda trend.
Despite its cult following, it faced increasing competition from energy drinks in the ’90s and early 2000s. By the late 2000s, it was gone from most stores, leaving behind a reputation as the original energy drink. For some, it still reigns as the king of late-night study sessions.
12. Hi-C Ecto Cooler
Launched in 1987 as a tie-in to The Real Ghostbusters cartoon, Hi-C Ecto Cooler was bright green with a citrusy, tangy flavor. The box featured Slimer from Ghostbusters, making it a must-have for kids at lunch.
It stayed on shelves longer than most tie-in products but eventually disappeared in the early 2000s. Fans have begged for its return, and it has made short-lived comebacks, but the ’80s magic of seeing it in stores is gone. It’s one of the most beloved discontinued drinks of the decade.
13. Clearly Canadian
While its peak came a little later, Clearly Canadian first appeared in the late ’80s and stood out for being a flavored sparkling water in a sleek glass bottle. Flavors like Mountain Blackberry and Orchard Peach made it feel fancy compared to regular soda.
It was popular among adults looking for something lighter, but over time, other sparkling water brands crowded the market. The brand has returned in small batches, but it’s no longer the everyday store staple it once was. For ’80s kids, that glass bottle was part of the appeal.
14. Fresca Black Cherry Citrus
Fresca was already a familiar name, but the Black Cherry Citrus flavor in the late ’80s was a bold, rich twist. The blend was tart yet sweet, and it quickly built a loyal following.
Unfortunately, Fresca kept rotating flavors over the years, and Black Cherry Citrus didn’t make the cut long-term. It faded away quietly, leaving fans hoping for a comeback. If you were lucky enough to drink it in its prime, you know it was one of Fresca’s best experiments.
15. Kool-Aid Purplesaurus Rex
Kool-Aid owned the ’80s drink market for kids, and Purplesaurus Rex was one of its most iconic flavors. It was a mix of grape and lemonade, with a dinosaur mascot that kids adored.
Like many Kool-Aid flavors, it was eventually retired to make room for new creations. Fans have tried to recreate it by mixing existing flavors, but it’s not quite the same. It’s one of those drinks that perfectly sums up the fun and creativity of ’80s marketing.