Some drinks from our childhood were pure magic in a bottle, instantly bringing a burst of flavor and a sugar rush that felt like the highlight of the day. But despite their popularity at the time, many of them mysteriously disappeared from store shelves, leaving us wondering what happened. Some were victims of changing tastes, others suffered from questionable ingredients, and a few were just too strange to last. Let’s take a trip down memory lane with these 12 classic drinks we loved as kids but ultimately flopped and vanished.
1. Hi-C Ecto Cooler
Nothing made us feel cooler than cracking open a Hi-C Ecto Cooler, the neon green drink inspired by Ghostbusters. It had a tangy citrus flavor and a color that made it look like something out of a science experiment. Whether we actually liked the taste or just enjoyed the connection to Slimer, it was a staple of many childhood lunches. Could this old favorite come back? Reporting over at Dinosaur Dracula suggests the chance isn’t 0%.
Unfortunately, after Ghostbusters faded from pop culture, Ecto Cooler struggled to stand on its own. It briefly resurfaced for reboots and nostalgia-driven promotions, but the magic wore off. Without the branding and a new generation of fans, it just couldn’t maintain a permanent spot on store shelves.
2. Orbitz
Orbitz felt more like a science project than a soft drink, with its floating edible balls suspended in syrupy liquid. The bizarre appearance made it look like a lava lamp you could drink, which was enough to intrigue us as kids. The flavors were unusual too, with blends like raspberry citrus and vanilla orange. There’s a reason Atlas Obscura sings such high praises for this drink.
Despite its futuristic concept, the drink didn’t stick around for long. The texture was off-putting to many, and it was more of a novelty than a go-to beverage. Once the curiosity wore off, Orbitz quietly disappeared, becoming more of a weird ‘90s relic than a lasting favorite.
3. Pepsi Blue
Pepsi Blue was one of those drinks that seemed like a great idea at the time. With its electric blue color and berry flavor, it was meant to be an exciting new twist on cola. It certainly grabbed attention, and for a brief moment, it felt like the drink of the future. History Oasis explains what went wrong for this classic beverage.
But Pepsi Blue struggled because it just didn’t taste quite right. The mix of artificial berry and cola was confusing, and some people thought it tasted like melted candy. After a couple of years, Pepsi pulled the plug, and the drink became another failed attempt at reinventing soda.
4. Fruitopia
Back in the ‘90s, Fruitopia was supposed to be the next big thing in fruit drinks. Its psychedelic branding, colorful flavors, and commercials with trippy visuals made it feel like the drink of a new era. Everyone had their favorite, from Strawberry Passion Awareness to Citrus Consciousness.
Despite the strong start, Fruitopia faded away as bottled teas and healthier juice options took over. It eventually got absorbed into the Minute Maid brand, losing its distinct identity. What once felt hip and trendy quickly became a relic of the past, leaving only vague memories of its wacky advertising.
5. Josta
Josta was ahead of its time, being one of the first energy drinks marketed in the U.S. It had a bold, spiced cola flavor mixed with guarana, a natural stimulant that promised an extra boost. The sleek packaging and edgy branding made it feel like a drink for rule-breakers.
However, Josta didn’t quite fit into the market yet, and the concept of energy drinks was still in its infancy. It was discontinued before the energy drink craze really took off, making it more of a cult favorite than a long-term success. Some fans still call for its return, but for now, it remains just another lost soda.
6. Squeezit
Squeezit made drinking juice a hands-on experience with its fun, squeezable bottles. The bright colors and goofy character names like Chucklin’ Cherry and Mean Green Puncher made them a hit with kids. There was even a version that let you mix colors inside the bottle to create new flavors.
Despite the gimmick, Squeezit couldn’t keep up with changing tastes. As parents started paying more attention to sugar content, demand for these syrupy drinks dropped. By the early 2000s, Squeezit was squeezed out of the market, never to return.
7. New Coke
New Coke is the ultimate cautionary tale of messing with a classic. In 1985, Coca-Cola decided to change its beloved formula, introducing a sweeter version designed to compete with Pepsi. The backlash was immediate, with protests, letter-writing campaigns, and desperate fans hoarding the original formula.
Coca-Cola quickly realized its mistake and brought back the original as “Coca-Cola Classic.” New Coke was quietly phased out, except for brief nostalgia-driven revivals. It remains one of the biggest marketing missteps in history, proving that some things just shouldn’t be tampered with.
8. Crystal Pepsi
Crystal Pepsi was a bold attempt at reinventing soda, marketed as a “pure” alternative to traditional colas. It had the same cola flavor but without the caramel coloring, giving it a clear, water-like appearance. It felt futuristic, and for a brief moment, it seemed like it might actually catch on.
Unfortunately, the novelty didn’t last. People realized they expected cola to be dark, and the taste didn’t quite match the experience they wanted. It was quietly pulled from shelves, but Pepsi has brought it back a few times just to remind us how strange it really was.
9. Hubba Bubba Soda
Chewing gum was great, but drinking it? That’s what Hubba Bubba Soda attempted to do with its ultra-sweet, bubblegum-flavored drink. It smelled exactly like the famous gum and was as sugary as you’d expect.
The problem was, drinking a liquid that tasted like gum didn’t feel quite right. The novelty wore off fast, and most people never bought it more than once. Hubba Bubba stuck around as a gum, but its soda experiment fizzled out.
10. Zima
Zima was marketed as a “clear beer,” designed to be a lighter, refreshing alternative to regular alcohol. With its sleek bottles and trendy branding, it aimed to appeal to a younger crowd looking for something different. It had a citrusy taste, almost like a cross between beer and a wine cooler.
But Zima suffered from an identity crisis—was it a beer, a malt beverage, or something else entirely? It never found its niche, and by the early 2000s, it disappeared from shelves. It has been revived in small batches, but its initial attempt at revolutionizing alcoholic drinks flopped.
11. Kool-Aid Bursts
Kool-Aid Bursts were essentially regular Kool-Aid in fun, twist-top plastic bottles. The bright colors and wacky flavors made them a hit with kids, and squeezing the drink out was half the fun. They were perfect for lunchboxes and summer afternoons.
But over time, concerns about sugar and artificial dyes made parents turn away from drinks like these. Other juice options, including Capri Sun and organic brands, became more popular. Kool-Aid Bursts faded into the background, remembered more for their nostalgic value than their lasting appeal.
12. Aspen Soda
Aspen Soda was a crisp, apple-flavored soft drink that tried to carve out a niche in the cola-dominated market. It had a refreshing taste that was different from anything else on the shelves. For a while, it seemed like it might stick around as a unique alternative.
However, apple soda never really caught on in the U.S., and Aspen disappeared quietly. Pepsi eventually replaced it with Slice, which had more traditional fruit flavors. While it was short-lived, some still fondly remember its fresh, unusual taste.
Looking back at these drinks, it’s clear that even the most exciting fads can’t always stand the test of time. Some disappeared because of changing health trends, while others were just too odd to maintain a loyal following. But even though they vanished from store shelves, they’ll always have a place in our memories as the drinks that made our childhood a little more interesting.
