Sip If You Dare
When you grab a soda to enjoy, you’re probably reaching for the classics: Pepsi, 7UP, ginger ale. What you’re probably not reaching for is celery-flavored soda—or worse, ranch-flavored soda. But believe it or not, these bizarre concoctions do exist, and you might still be able to find some on shelves today. From the strange to the tried-and-true, here are 10 of the weirdest soda flavors to ever exist—and 10 fizzy classics we’ll always enjoy.
1. Turkey & Gravy
Who needs a Thanksgiving spread when you have turkey-and-gravy-flavored soda? Strange as it sounds, Jones Soda made this a reality during the 2003 holiday season. And while this limited-edition run never came back again, you may still occasionally see this being auctioned online on eBay.
2. Celery
Why eat your vegetables when you can have them in carbonation form? First produced in 1868 and invented by a mysterious man named Dr. Brown, you'd be surprised to know that celery soda—known better as Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray—still has a fairly large following in New York City. In fact, you could probably hop into any delicatessen and find one there.
Daniela Paola Alchapar on Unsplash
3. Tree Bark
Ever wanted to know what tree bark tasted like? Well, you're in luck: Mauby Fizz Tree Bark Soda has been in production since 2005, and it's made by actually boiling down tree bark with added spices and herbs. Those who rave about the drink say that it offers ample health benefits, like lowering blood pressure, dissolving blood clots, treating diabetes, and working as a laxative.
4. Ranch Dressing
Don't dip your pizza in ranch—dunk it in ranch-flavored soda instead! That is, if you're daring enough to try it. First produced in 2013 by Rocket Fizz, this stuff is not for the faint of heart. One taste and you might just accidentally burn off all your taste buds. It also probably doesn't help that it supposedly smells like blue cheese or old socks.
5. Onion
If ranch-flavored soda didn't sound rancid enough, what about onion? Unless you're traveling to South Korea soon, you probably won't be able to get your hands on this one, though, which is often touted for its health benefits of lowering the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer's.
6. Black Garlic
You probably wouldn't willingly drink garlic-flavored soda unless it offered something beneficial in return, and that's likely why this soda is so popular in Switzerland, where it's said to be produced. But don't knock it before you try it: black garlic has a syrupy, tangy taste to it, and this soda might actually be one you end up enjoying.
7. Curry
The next time you're in Japan, you might want to pop over to a convenience store and nab a bottle of curry-flavored Ramune. Weird as it sounds, it has a dedicated fan base and is still being produced today. And unsurprisingly, it tastes exactly as you'd expect: like Japanese curry.
8. Bacon
Yup—your favorite salt-cured meat is available in soda form. First produced in 2010, you might still be able to find a bottle of this on the shelves somewhere in the US. So, if you ever wanted to drink your bacon grease, this might be the perfect beverage for you.
9. Peanut Butter & Jelly
Don't have the ingredients to make a classic PB&J sandwich at home? No worries—just pull out a bottle of PB&J soda instead. Jones Soda released this limited-edition flavor in 2014, and while it's no longer produced by them, you may still be able to find other variations by different companies on the market.
10. Salty Watermelon
Released in the summer of 2016 by Japan, Fanta Salty Watermelon combined everyone's favorite summer fruit with—you guessed it—salt, which apparently could protect against heat stroke. Unsurprisingly, the flavor never caught on and was discontinued in the same year.
Now that we've made it through the list of weirdest sodas, let's jump back into the classics. Here are 10 sodas we'll never get tired of drinking.
1. Cola
Whether you're team Pepsi or team Coca-Cola, this flavor can't be beat. Sweet with hints of spice and citrus, you probably don't know exactly what makes the taste so iconic, but the fact that it still reigns as number one for most people is telling enough.
2. Lemon-Lime
Sprite and 7UP, anyone? Just like cola, lemon-lime soda is another classic that soda fans enjoy, though with a taste that's crisper and leans much more citrusy (unsurprisingly). Because of its distinct flavor, it's often deemed more refreshing than regular cola.
3. Orange
Unless you're not a fan of oranges or anything orange-flavored, this soda can't be beat. It's the choice you opt for when you need some extra zing with your orange juice, and no matter if it's Fanta or Crush, you're bound to savor every sip.
4. Root Beer
Ah, who doesn't love a classic root beer? Just like cola, root beer has a complex blend that features an array of different notes—wintergreen, vanilla, licorice, molasses—which come together perfectly. No wonder it's the soda of choice for ice cream floats!
5. Mountain Dew
Though Mountain Dew is often described as having a lemon-lime or citrusy flavor, it differs from your classic can of Sprite or 7UP, and it's one that you'll only know if you've tried it. There's a reason why this bright green fizzy drink is a favorite for many, after all.
6. Ginger Ale
Said to soothe stomachaches, ginger ale is another classic soda flavor we all enjoy. Even if you're not a fan of the taste of ginger, this iconic drink will definitely change your mind. Don't be put off by the spice; it leans more citrusy than you might think.
7. Cream Soda
Speaking of ice cream floats, cream soda is a favorite for many as their base, and it's probably because this flavor was inspired by the taste of the dessert itself. The dominant note here is vanilla, but there's a creaminess to it that you won't get from any other soda.
8. Melon
If you've never tried melon soda before, you're missing out. This iconic flavor is a Japanese favorite, and it's as tasty as melonpan, a sweet bread with a crumbly crust that's made to look like that of a melon. Plus, it pairs especially well with ice cream.
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima on Wikimedia
9. Dr. Pepper
Just like root beer, Dr. Pepper is made up of various notes—23, in fact, including vanilla, cherry, and licorice, among others—to give it its distinct peppery taste. Whether it's the mystery around it or its delicious flavor, this soda succeeds in making you come back for more.
10. Ramune
Ramune is the carbonated drink of choice in Japan, and for good reason. Not only does it come in a variety of flavors ranging from orange and melon to blackberry and bloody grapefruit (and yep, even curry), it's also known for the little ball you'll need to push into the drink before enjoying.
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