Lost Flavors Of The Past
Before energy drinks took over and craft sodas got trendy, there was a whole world of quirky, colorful soft drinks that quietly went to the bottom shelves. Some were cult favorites, others total flops—but all of them left a fizzy mark. Today, we’re here to acknowledge those old-school soft drinks. Here are 20 forgotten names you probably haven't thought about in years.
1. Orangina
That lightly sparkling citrus drink with bits of pulp? Yes, it’s still around—just not in most U.S. fridges. Orangina thrived in the '90s but faded into specialty shelves and European cafés. You might spot it in upscale grocery stores or import shops, but it's no longer the household name it once was.
Jane Mejdahl from Copenhagen, Denmark on Wikimedia
2. Mello Yello
Coca-Cola’s zesty rival to Mountain Dew once had a good run but slowly fizzled out of mainstream view. It’s still being bottled, but mostly in regional markets or tucked into select soda fountains. Unless you’re in the Southeast, you’re more likely to hear about it than actually find it.
Matthew25187 (talk) on Wikimedia
3. Fresca
Fresca has technically never gone away, but you’d be forgiven for thinking it had. A diet grapefruit soda with a crisp, tart flavor, it was once a mid-century darling. Now, it quietly exists on the bottom shelves of grocery stores.
4. Shasta
Once a go-to budget soda with every flavor under the sun, Shasta hasn’t vanished—but good luck finding it outside discount stores or vending machines. Its retro rainbow cans still exist, mostly in bulk-buy chains, but it’s no longer part of the everyday soft drink conversation.
5. Nehi
Nehi grape or peach was once the drink of choice for Southern diners and front porches. While still produced by RC, it’s now more of a nostalgic relic than a regular refreshment. Unless you’re driving through small-town America, spotting a bottle is rare, and sipping one feels like time travel.
6. Big Red
Big Red’s creamy, bubblegum-like flavor is divisive, yet some really love it. The brand still holds court in Texas, where it's almost a cultural icon. Outside that zone, though, it’s tough to come by. Few sodas have stayed this regional and this beloved at the same time.
7. Jolt Cola
Before energy drinks took over, Jolt was the rebel in the soda aisle. Known for “all the sugar and twice the caffeine,” it fueled college cram sessions and LAN parties. These days, it’s vanished from stores and mostly lingers online.
8. Tahiti Treat
Super sweet and loaded with tropical fruit flavor, the Tahiti Treat was once the go-to fizzy treat for kids’ parties and corner stores. It’s not gone entirely—Canada still sees occasional batches—but it's nearly impossible to find outside a few nostalgic shelves and specialty soda distributors.
9. Cheerwine
This cherry soda has been around since 1917, yet plenty of people outside the Carolinas have never heard of it. Cheerwine fans swear by its smooth, sweet taste. You’ll find it in limited southern diners and BBQ joints.
Ser Amantio di Nicolao on Wikimedia
10. Fanta Apple / Exotic Flavors
Fanta’s wild flavor roster used to turn heads—Apple, Lychee, Peach, and even Pineapple. While still sold in parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, many of these versions have faded from Western store shelves. If you spot one in the U.S., it probably came from an international aisle or suitcase.
11. Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale
It once seemed like every fridge had a bottle of this sweet, berry-spiked ginger ale. Blackberry Ginger Ale went from a trendy seasonal staple to an occasional limited edition, if it appears at all. Lucky souls might catch it around the holidays.
Canada Dry - Blackberry Ginger Ale by Supersaiyan79
12. Sun Drop
There’s a citrus soda cult, and Sun Drop is the headliner. Popular in the Southeast and backed by a fiercely loyal fan base, it’s tangy, lightly caffeinated, and strangely addictive. Beyond the South, though, it’s tough to track down.
Reed Reviews Sun Drop Citrus Soda by casualgamerreed
13. A-Treat Soda
A-Treat isn’t a household name, and that’s the point. Based in Pennsylvania, it almost disappeared for good but made a comeback after a local outcry. With offbeat flavors like Sarsaparilla and Blue Razz, it remains a niche treat mostly found in hometown grocery stores and regional vending machines.
iMegan - A-Treat Soda! by MegansiCast
14. Blenheim Ginger Ale
Most ginger ales are mild. So, Blenheim took another route. This fiery Southern classic packs a sinus-clearing punch with peppery heat and bold spice. It’s made in small batches in South Carolina and rarely travels far. If you stumble on it, consider yourself fortunate.
Sip or Skip? Unlocking the Spice: Blenheim Ginger Ale Review by The Soda Rater
15. Manzanita Sol
Pepsi’s apple soda isn’t extinct, just quietly thriving in Latin American markets and select U.S. stores with large Hispanic communities. Manzanita Sol has a crisp, sweet taste that’s unlike most American sodas. Unless you frequent certain bodegas or international grocery chains, it’s likely been off your radar for years.
16. Surge
Surge was Coca-Cola's answer to Mountain Dew in the '90s. It was the ultimate gamer fuel before energy drinks took over. This one had a neon green glow and a hyper-citrusy punch. Discontinued in the early 2000s, it experienced a brief resurgence thanks to fan campaigns but never fully returned to mainstream shelves.
Reed Reviews Surge Soda by casualgamerreed
17. Slice
Once a major fruit soda brand, Slice was all over the place in the '80s and '90s with flavors like orange, cherry, and pineapple. It even claimed to have real fruit juice. Slice has returned—but not quite as you remember it. Now owned by Suja Life, it relaunched in early 2025 as a low-sugar, prebiotic-probiotic “healthy soda” sold at select grocers.
18. Citra
Citra was Coca-Cola's grapefruit soda, introduced in the late '90s, featuring a sharp citrus kick and bright yellow branding. It never quite took off nationally and slowly slipped away from shelves. Today, it lives on quietly in a few regions.
Citra soda commercial (1998) by Ye Olde Commercials
19. RC Cola
RC Cola might not top soda fountains now, but it once rivaled Coke and Pepsi in the cola wars. These days, you’ll mostly spot it in gas stations, retro diners, or small-town grocery aisles. It’s still around—just far quieter than its glory days.
20. Stewart’s Fountain Classics
Once a staple of nostalgic soda counters, Stewart’s Root Beer and Orange Cream sodas were beloved for their old-school flavor and glass-bottle aesthetic. They still exist—mostly in niche grocers or retro candy shops—but they’ve slipped out of the mainstream soda aisle spotlight.
