Nostalgic Sodas Kids Won’t Taste

Remembering Out-of-Production Sweet Drinks

While sugary sodas are seeing a resurgence, many unique, once-popular beverages from past decades have vanished from shelves. These drinks, often rich in sugar and novelty, are now mere memories for those who experienced them.

Discontinued Delights and Oddities

The beverage landscape has changed dramatically, with some iconic drinks disappearing before younger generations could even experience them. This shift reflects evolving consumer preferences and health consciousness.

Orbitz: A Colorful, Gelatinous Past

Launched in 1996, Orbitz was a visually striking drink featuring suspended gelatin balls. Despite its brief two-year run, it left a memorable impression on ’90s kids. Flavors like raspberry citrus and vanilla orange offered a unique, albeit questionable, taste sensation. Today’s youth likely miss only its peculiar novelty.

Fruitopia’s Sweet but Short-Lived Reign

Coca-Cola introduced Fruitopia in the ’90s as an “alternative beverage” to compete with Snapple. Marketed as healthier than traditional sodas, it contained substantial sugar, with some versions up to 31 grams. However, it couldn’t sustain its momentum and was discontinued in the U.S. in 2003.

Surge’s Limited Comeback

Another Coca-Cola creation from the ’90s, the citrus-flavored Surge, also met its end in 2003. Interestingly, it reappeared on Amazon in 2014. This limited reintroduction, however, prevented it from regaining widespread popularity, leaving it relatively unknown to younger demographics unless their parents were fans.

Squeezit: A Squeezable Childhood Favorite

General Mills’ Squeezit, released in 1985, offered a unique experience with its squeezable bottle. Each sweet, fruity flavor was accompanied by a distinct character on the packaging. Discontinued in 2001, a return of this novel drink seems improbable.

Hubba Bubba Soda: A Sweet Mystery

The exact origins of Hubba Bubba soda remain somewhat obscure, likely forgotten by design. Rumored to have debuted in the 1980s, online accounts suggest this bubblegum-flavored beverage was excessively sweet. Many believe it’s fortunate for today’s children that this sugary soda is no longer available.

The decline of such sugary drinks is partly attributed to growing public awareness of health issues associated with high sugar intake. For instance, in 2023, the U.S. saw a notable decrease in added sugar consumption among adolescents, dropping to an average of 9.6% of daily calories from added sugars, down from 17% in 2010 (CDC, 2023).