1. Lemon-Lime Slice
Before Slice became a big ’80s brand, Pepsi first tested it in the late ’70s with flavors like lemon-lime. It was meant to be a fresher take on citrus sodas that could compete with 7-Up and Sprite. The lemon-lime version had a sharper flavor that some people liked better than its competitors, but it never broke through the same way.
The branding was colorful and playful, clearly designed to stand out on shelves. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for Slice to go through changes and rebranding, and lemon-lime eventually disappeared in favor of other fruit flavors. It left behind just enough fans who still ask why Pepsi abandoned it. For many, it was a soda that deserved more attention than it got.
2. Dr. Pepper’s Pepper Free
In the late ’70s, Dr. Pepper rolled out Pepper Free, a caffeine-free version of its classic. It was meant for people who wanted the same spicy sweetness without the buzz, something parents often handed their kids. The flavor was similar but slightly lighter, making it a bit polarizing.
While it had a following, the branding confused some people who thought “Pepper Free” meant no flavor at all. By the early ’80s, it was gone from shelves. Fans who still remember those brown-and-gold cans often say it vanished too soon. It’s one of those sodas you almost forget until someone brings up old vending machine options.
3. Pepsi Light Lemon
Pepsi Light came on the scene in 1975 with a lemon-flavored cola twist. It wasn’t diet, just a lighter take on regular Pepsi with added citrus. Some people loved the refreshing kick, while others thought it clashed with the familiar cola taste.
The ads pitched it as a sunny, cheerful drink perfect for people looking for “something different.” But in the end, it didn’t stick with the public, and Pepsi quietly phased it out. Still, the experiment paved the way for later attempts like Pepsi Twist. It was a clear example of how the ’70s were full of wild soda experiments.
4. Chime
Chime was Coca-Cola’s lightly carbonated fruit soda designed to rival 7-Up and Fresca. It came in flavors like grapefruit and lemon-lime and was marketed as a more “sophisticated” soft drink. Its sleek branding stood out, but not enough to capture real loyalty.
Most people barely remember Chime, which is why it sits squarely in the “forgotten” category today. It wasn’t bad, just unremarkable compared to better-known brands. Like many sodas of its time, it fizzled out quietly. Those who tried it can still picture the clean, modern look of its cans.
5. Patio Diet Cola
Before Diet Pepsi took off, Pepsi introduced Patio Diet Cola. It was pushed heavily in the early ’70s as a way for women to enjoy soda without the calories. Ads even framed it as part of a lifestyle choice, making it look fashionable.
The problem was that artificial sweeteners back then weren’t nearly as smooth as they are today. Patio had a bitter aftertaste that turned many drinkers away. Eventually, Pepsi realized a rebrand was needed, and Diet Pepsi was born. Patio is now more of a trivia answer than a household memory.
6. RC 100
RC Cola’s answer to the caffeine-free trend was RC 100. Its name was meant to reassure customers that it was “100 percent caffeine-free.” For families with kids, it seemed like the perfect evening soda that wouldn’t keep anyone up late.
But like many Royal Crown products, it couldn’t outshine Coke or Pepsi. The taste was decent, but brand recognition wasn’t strong enough to keep it alive. RC 100 slowly disappeared in the early ’80s, leaving only hazy memories. If you grew up in certain regions, though, you might still remember seeing its cans.
7. Mr. PiBB’s Variants
When Coca-Cola launched Mr. PiBB in the mid-’70s, they also experimented with a few variants. Some had stronger cinnamon flavors, which made the drink even spicier than Dr. Pepper. For adventurous soda fans, it was exciting, but for others, it was just too much.
By the end of the decade, most of those variations were quietly dropped. Classic PiBB stuck around, but the experimental versions faded away. People who liked the extra cinnamon still talk about it as a lost treasure. It’s a reminder of how Coke wasn’t afraid to tinker with formulas in the ’70s.
8. Like Cola
7-Up tried to make its own cola competitor called Like Cola in the late ’70s. Unlike the heavy hitters, this one was caffeine-free, which gave it a different edge. It was meant to appeal to people who wanted cola taste without jitters.
But the market was already crowded, and Like Cola didn’t stand out enough. Coke and Pepsi loyalists weren’t tempted to switch, and sales lagged. Before long, it was off shelves and largely forgotten. The name alone makes it sound like a “why not try it once” product.
9. Fresca’s Original Flavors
Fresca might still be around today, but its flavor lineup looked very different in the ’70s. Back then, you could find options like peach, strawberry, and black cherry. The peach especially had a loyal following among people who wanted something diet but still fruity.
When Coca-Cola decided to simplify Fresca, all those flavors disappeared. Grapefruit stuck around, and it became the brand’s signature identity. But old ads show how much variety Fresca once offered. Fans who remember it still bring up how much they miss the peach cans.
10. TaB Variations
TaB became iconic in the ’70s, but Coca-Cola pushed out multiple versions of it that never lasted. Some were fruity, like Lemon-Lime TaB, while others cut the caffeine. Each one was meant to expand TaB’s audience beyond diet soda fans.
They never hit the same stride as the original. By the time the ’80s rolled in, those offshoots were gone, leaving only classic TaB. For those who tried them, though, the variations were a fun curiosity. It shows how Coke was willing to take risks, even if they didn’t always pay off.
11. Grape Nehi
Nehi’s grape soda hit its peak in the ’70s, especially at diners and soda fountains. The bold purple drink had a candy-like sweetness that kids loved. It was one of those flavors that felt like pure summer.
But bigger brands like Fanta and Welch’s eventually outpaced it. By the late ’70s, Nehi’s grape soda was harder to find outside certain regions. Fans who grew up with it often describe it as their go-to drink before it vanished. Today, Nehi is a nostalgic name but no longer a major player.
12. Chocolate Soldier
Chocolate Soldier was one of the strangest sodas you could buy in the ’70s. It mixed chocolate flavor with carbonation, creating something like fizzy chocolate milk. Kids were often curious, and some fell in love with it right away.
But many people found it too weird to drink regularly. Competing with traditional sodas was tough, and Chocolate Soldier slowly disappeared. For those who tried it, though, the memory never really fades. It was one of those drinks you couldn’t forget, even if you didn’t exactly want another.
