13 Once-Popular Beverages from the 20th Century That Have Faded Away

Some drinks weren’t just refreshments but cultural icons that defined decades, graced lunchboxes, and became the go-to pick in vending machines. But as the beverage industry evolved, many of these once-beloved drinks vanished, leaving behind only memories and nostalgic cravings.

From wild marketing stunts to flavors that were ahead of their time, here are 13 drinks that once ruled the shelves but have since disappeared.

1. Orbitz (1997-1998) – The Soda That Looked Like a Lava Lamp

If you ever saw a bottle of Orbitz, you probably did a double take. This drink wasn’t just about taste—it was a visual experience, with tiny floating gelatin balls suspended in liquid, making it look more like a science experiment than a soda. Kids were mesmerized, and the drink gained attention for its futuristic design.

But as cool as it looked, not everyone enjoyed the texture. The floating spheres felt strange, and the drink itself had a mild, fruity flavor that didn’t match the excitement of its appearance.

Sales plummeted, and Orbitz disappeared in under a year. Today, unopened bottles are prized collectibles, though we wouldn’t recommend drinking them.

2. Tab Clear (1992-1994) – The Soda That Was Meant to Fail

When Coca-Cola saw the success of Crystal Pepsi, they launched Tab Clear—but with a sneaky plan. Instead of making it exciting, they marketed it as a diet drink, making “clear sodas” seem boring and uncool.

The strategy worked too well. Not only did Tab Clear fail, but it also dragged down Crystal Pepsi in the process. Coca-Cola later admitted that they only made Tab Clear to sabotage Pepsi’s clear cola experiment—and it worked.

3. Josta (1995-1999) – Pepsi’s Caffeinated Jungle Cat

Long before the energy drink craze took off, Pepsi tried to start a movement with Josta, a guarana-infused soda that promised a boost of energy with a bold, slightly spicy kick.

Its sleek black-and-red packaging, featuring a fierce jungle cat, gave it an edgy, rebellious vibe that appealed to teenagers and college students.

Despite a cult following, Josta didn’t last long. Pepsi pulled it in 1999, opting to focus on traditional sodas. But fans have never forgotten it—there are still petitions demanding its return to this day.

4. OK Soda (1993-1995) – The Most ‘Whatever’ Marketing Campaign Ever

Designed to appeal to Gen X’s ironic, “too cool to care” attitude, OK Soda came in artsy cans and featured cryptic marketing messages.

Coca-Cola wanted to make a “meh” soda for a “meh” generation. The problem? People actually wanted their soda to taste good, not just be a social experiment.

OK Soda never took off, disappearing within two years. Today, it’s remembered more for its bizarre marketing than its flavor.

Fun fact: the cans had a hotline number you could call to hear random, existential messages.

5. Billy Beer (1977-1978) – A Presidential Gimmick Gone Flat

Billy Beer was the ultimate novelty drink, marketed by Billy Carter, the beer-loving brother of President Jimmy Carter. The idea was that Billy’s down-to-earth, Southern charm would make it a hit with everyday Americans.

But while the marketing was strong, the beer was weak. Reviews were terrible, and once the celebrity factor wore off, sales plummeted. Billy Beer was discontinued in under a year, but unopened cans are now a quirky collector’s item.

6. Purple Passion (1980s-1990s) – The Grape-Flavored Party Starter

Before the days of hard seltzers and pre-mixed cocktails, Purple Passion was the ultimate party drink, blending Everclear with a bold, sweet grape flavor. It was a hit with college students and partygoers who wanted something strong but easy to drink.

However, its high alcohol content and sweet, soda-like taste led to concerns about overconsumption, which, along with shifting trends, led to its decline.

Still, for those who remember it, Purple Passion was the drink of wild nights and carefree times—a true relic of a bygone era.

7. Crystal Pepsi (1992-1994) – The Cola That Ditched the Color

In the early ’90s, “clear” drinks were all the rage, and Pepsi decided to jump on the trend with Crystal Pepsi.

It was marketed as a “pure” cola with a clean, refreshing taste—but despite its hype, people were confused. The clear look made them expect a citrus flavor, yet it tasted just like regular Pepsi.

After an initial burst of curiosity, sales declined fast, and Pepsi pulled the plug. However, nostalgia is a powerful force—Pepsi has revived Crystal Pepsi in limited releases multiple times, proving that some trends never go away.

8. 7 UP Gold (1988) – The Spicy Soda Nobody Expected

For a brand known for its crisp, lemon-lime taste, 7 UP made a bold move in 1988 by releasing 7 UP Gold—a spiced, slightly gingery soda with a hint of cinnamon. Fans of traditional 7 UP were completely confused.

The experiment lasted less than a year before it was pulled. It turns out that when people grab a bottle of 7 UP, they don’t want it to taste like a holiday punch.

9. Citra (1996-2004) – Coca-Cola’s Lost Citrus Treasure

Before Coca-Cola introduced its Fanta Citrus line, there was Citra—a bold, tart soda packed with lime and grapefruit flavors. It was meant to take on Sprite and Mountain Dew, offering a more intense citrus kick.

Despite a loyal following, Coca-Cola phased it out in 2004, replacing it with Fanta Citrus. But hard-core fans still insist Citra had the better flavor—and they might be right, considering it still exists in international markets under a different name.

10. Aspen Soda (1978-1982) – The Apple Soda That Couldn’t Stick

Aspen Soda was ahead of its time, offering a refreshing, apple-flavored alternative to traditional soft drinks. It had a small but devoted following, especially among those who preferred fruitier sodas.

However, apple-flavored sodas never quite caught on in the U.S. Pepsi quietly discontinued Aspen in the early ’80s, though Slice Apple briefly replaced it—only to suffer the same fate.

11. New Coke (1985-1992) – The Soda That Sparked a Rebellion

Few product launches have ever backfired as spectacularly as New Coke. In an attempt to modernize their classic formula, Coca-Cola introduced a smoother, sweeter version—and fans absolutely hated it.

The backlash was so intense that people hoarded old Coke, signed petitions, and even protested. Coca-Cola had no choice but to bring back the original formula under the name Coca-Cola Classic, effectively dooming New Coke.

Ironically, the failure became a marketing win—the controversy reminded everyone just how much they loved the original.

12. Life Savers Soda (1980s) – When Candy Turned Liquid

Imagine your favorite Life Savers candy in drink form—that was the idea behind Life Savers Soda. Each flavor was modeled after a classic Life Savers flavor, promising a sweet, fruity burst in every sip.

But as it turns out, what works as a candy doesn’t always work as a drink. The soda was overwhelmingly sweet, and many people found it too intense. It disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived.

Fun fact: A butterscotch-flavored version was considered but never released. Considering the ultra-sweet reputation of the original, that was probably for the best.

13. Surge (1996-2003) – The ’90s Gamer Fuel That Vanished

If you were a ’90s kid, you probably remember Surge’s neon green energy and extreme advertising. Marketed as a high-caffeine alternative to Mountain Dew, it was the drink of choice for skaters, gamers, and adrenaline junkies.

But despite its cult following, Surge couldn’t compete with Pepsi’s dominance in the citrus soda market, and Coca-Cola eventually discontinued it.

Demand for its return never went away, though—after relentless online campaigns, Surge made a limited comeback in the 2010s, proving that nostalgia is a powerful force.