Remember sneaking into your grandmother’s basement fridge and finding those glass bottles with labels you’d never seen at the supermarket? Those sodas with flavors that tasted nothing like the usual suspects lining store shelves today? There’s something magical about those forgotten fizzy drinks that practically defined entire decades. You might have mourned them, assumed they vanished forever, or simply forgot they existed.
Here’s the wild part, though. Some of these vintage sodas never actually disappeared.
They’ve been hiding in plain sight, tucked away in specialty shops, regional grocery stores, and even online retailers. Others have made surprising comebacks after years of absence. Let’s be real, nostalgia is a powerful force, especially when it comes in a cold glass bottle. Ready to find out which old-school sodas are still out there waiting for you?
Moxie: America’s Oldest Surviving Soft Drink
Moxie is among the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States and was created around 1876 by Augustin Thompson as a patent medicine called “Moxie Nerve Food”. The beverage originated in Lowell, Massachusetts, and was initially marketed as a cure for everything from nervousness to paralysis. It continues to be regionally popular today, particularly in New England states. The flavor profile is distinctively different from anything else on the market. It has been described as having “a bitter aftertaste that some say is similar to root beer” and is flavored with gentian root extract, an extremely bitter substance commonly used in herbal medicine.
Moxie was designated the official soft drink of Maine on May 10, 2005. The drink maintains a fiercely loyal following, particularly among Maine residents who gather annually to celebrate their beloved beverage. It was previously produced by the Moxie Beverage Company of Bedford, New Hampshire, until Moxie was purchased by The Coca-Cola Company in 2018. You can still find Moxie in glass bottles made with real cane sugar at specialty retailers across New England, and it’s also available for purchase online through various distributors. The taste? Let’s just say it takes some getting used to, with descriptions ranging from “wintergreen and licorice” to comparisons with motor oil.
Nehi: The Knee-High Bottle That Defined an Era
Nehi is a flavored soft drink that originated in the United States and was introduced in 1924 by Chero-Cola/Union Bottle Works, founded by Claud A. Hatcher. The name has an interesting backstory. The name “Nehi” was to remind customers that it came in “knee-high” tall bottles. The drink exploded in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s with its lineup of fruit flavors including orange, grape, peach, root beer, and more. Nehi was instantly successful and outsold Chero-Cola entirely, leading the company to change its name to the Nehi Corporation in 1928.
In April 2008, Nehi became a brand of Dr Pepper Snapple Group (now known as Keurig Dr Pepper) in the United States. While it’s not as ubiquitous as it once was, Nehi is very much alive. Nehi Grape Soda remains in production today, though its availability is more limited than in its heyday, and is still produced by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group. Your best bet for finding Nehi Grape Soda is often in smaller, regional grocery chains or independent convenience stores, particularly in the Midwest and Southern United States, with stores like Kroger and Meijer more likely to carry it than national chains. The bold grape, tangy orange, and peachy flavors are still available in those iconic glass bottles, making them a true throwback treat.
Tab: The Diet Soda That Refuses to Die
Tab was a diet cola soft drink produced and distributed by the Coca-Cola Company and was introduced in 1963 as the company’s first diet drink, and was produced until its discontinuation in 2020. The pink-canned beverage became a cultural phenomenon throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Tab’s market share peaked at 5.6% in 1980 among all soda drinks in the United States, according to data from Beverage Digest. The drink was sweetened with saccharin rather than aspartame, giving it a unique flavor that devotees still crave.
Things had started going flat when Coca-Cola introduced Diet Coke in 1982, and sales of Tab dropped before Coca-Cola killed the brand in 2020 as part of a broader effort to trim its portfolio during the COVID-19 pandemic. Honestly, the discontinuation sparked outrage among its fanbase. Adam Burbach of Nebraska spearheaded the SaveTaBSoda Committee, and in October 2023, the group organized an event at the World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta. The Coca-Cola Company has announced no official plans to bring TaB back as of early 2025. Still, fans haven’t given up hope, and the passionate campaigns continue with billboards, petitions, and shareholder meeting questions.
Jolt Cola: All the Sugar and Twice the Caffeine
When Jolt Cola first came out in 1985, it already looked retro and was especially popular during the 1980s and 1990s, but was still around until 2009, when the company was inundated with competition and went bankrupt. The tagline was unforgettable: “All the sugar and twice the caffeine.” Launched in 1985, Jolt Cola was the brainchild of a father and son team from Rochester, New York, that wanted to make a true vintage soda sweetened with real sugar, and with twice the caffeine of other similar soft drinks. It became the unofficial fuel for gamers, college students cramming for exams, and anyone needing a serious energy boost before energy drinks flooded the market.
The good news for Jolt fans? Thanks to investment by Redcon1, Jolt is getting a comeback, but it’s going to look quite a bit different, use only artificial sweeteners, and have even more caffeine than the original, already highly caffeinated number. While you might still find Jolt in select international markets, the revamped version promises to bring back the spirit of the original with a modern twist. Whether it can capture the magic of those distinctive battery-shaped cans from the 1990s remains to be seen. The original Jolt even had a cameo in “Jurassic Park,” cementing its place in pop culture history.
Surge: The Neon-Green Comeback Kid
Surge was Coca-Cola’s attempted rival to Pepsi’s Mountain Dew and was introduced in 1996, the neon-green exciting new drink targeted towards teenagers and those who love the extreme. The citrus-flavored soda was marketed with extreme sports imagery and edgy advertising that screamed late-90s attitude. Unfortunately, it wasn’t extreme enough and disappeared in 2003, with a brief revival in 2014. The discontinuation left legions of fans devastated.
Surge was discontinued in 2002 and is making a comeback in stores and at Burger King in the frozen variety. The resurrection of Surge is actually a testament to the power of social media and nostalgia marketing. Devoted fans organized campaigns on Facebook, creating one of the most passionate soda advocacy groups online. Their efforts convinced Coca-Cola to bring it back, first through Amazon, then in select retail locations. If you’re craving that distinctive citrus kick with a nostalgic edge, Surge is once again within reach. The taste brings you right back to Saturday morning cartoons and Tony Hawk video games.
Slice: The Juice-Infused Innovator
Slice debuted as a lemon-lime competitor of Sprite and 7-Up back in 1984, and PepsiCo first introduced Slice to the world with its “We got the juice” campaign slogan reminding everyone that, unlike its competitors, it contained 10% real fruit juice. This was revolutionary at the time when most sodas contained zero actual fruit. The brand quickly expanded beyond lemon-lime to include orange, grape, strawberry, and other fruit flavors. Slice was discontinued in the 2000s, but many argue it was just before its time.
The Slice story doesn’t end there, though. The brand did experience a resurgence in 2018, thanks to New Slice Ventures, but don’t expect that familiar 80s flavor, as the new drinks still come in a range of fruit flavors but now take the form of sparkling water rather than soda. If you’re a fan of non-caffeinated fruit sodas, you’re probably thrilled to see Slice back on store shelves. While the sparkling water version might not hit the same nostalgic notes, the brand recognition and retro appeal remain strong. If you remember those colorful cans from your childhood lunchbox, you’ll appreciate seeing the Slice name back in action.
Faygo: Detroit’s Pride Still Flowing Strong
Faygo has been a Detroit institution since 1907, yet many people outside the Midwest have never heard of it. This family-owned soda company produces more than 50 flavors, from classics like Rock & Rye and Red Pop to more adventurous offerings. The affordability and variety made it a staple in working-class neighborhoods throughout the Great Lakes region. Faygo also became unexpectedly linked to the Insane Clown Posse and their Juggalo fanbase, who famously spray the soda at concerts.
Despite economic challenges and changing ownership over the years, Faygo continues to thrive. You can find it throughout the Midwest in grocery stores and gas stations, often for remarkably low prices compared to national brands. The company has embraced its cult status and regional pride. Online retailers also make it possible for fans across the country to order their favorite flavors. Whether you’re craving that candy-like sweetness of Red Pop or the unique spiced flavor of Rock & Rye, Faygo proves that regional sodas can survive and thrive in the age of corporate consolidation.
Boylan Bottling: Craft Soda Before Craft Was Cool
Created as an elixir by pharmacist William Boylan in 1891, Boylan Bottling Company’s Birch Beer still makes us feel good, as each soda by the Paterson, New Jersey company is still crafted in small batches using pure cane sugar, joining the classic Birch with fun flavors like Ginger Ale, Black Cherry, Shirley Temple, and even Sparkling Lemonade. The company represents old-world craftsmanship in an industry dominated by massive corporations. Each bottle features vintage-style labels that look like they belong in a 1920s soda fountain.
Boylan has never truly disappeared, but it has quietly maintained its position as a premium craft soda brand. You’ll find it in specialty food stores, upscale restaurants, and increasingly in major grocery chains with expanded beverage sections. The birch beer, in particular, offers a taste experience completely different from standard root beer, with earthy, wintergreen notes. The bottles themselves feel substantial and nostalgic, adding to the overall experience. It’s the kind of soda you sip slowly rather than guzzle, savoring the quality ingredients and traditional recipes that have been perfected over more than a century.
Reading Draft Soda: Pennsylvania Dutch Classics
Since 1921, Reading Draft has been offering Pennsylvania Dutch Classics like White Birch, Root Beer, and Sarsaparilla to its home town of Reading Pennsylvania, and they also have some newer flavors like Citrus Twist and Honey Pear. The signature image of a train on the label harkens to Reading’s history as a major railroad hub. The branding alone makes these bottles collector’s items, with vintage appeal that speaks to American industrial history.
Reading Draft sodas exemplify regional pride and tradition. The flavors reflect old-fashioned soda fountain recipes that have been largely forgotten by mainstream manufacturers. White Birch offers that distinctively herbal, slightly medicinal flavor that characterized early American soft drinks. The root beer delivers deep, complex notes rather than the simplified sweetness of modern versions. While distribution remains primarily regional, specialty soda retailers and online shops have made Reading Draft accessible to enthusiasts nationwide. These are sodas for people who appreciate authenticity and want to taste what their great-grandparents enjoyed at the local drugstore counter.
Brownie Caramel Cream Root Beer: Detroit’s Sweet Secret
Brownie Caramel Cream Root Beer was first introduced in Detroit in 1929, and its deep caramel cream flavor makes it sweeter than other root beers on the market, with the fun Brownie sprite on the label making for a whimsical presentation, and this beloved brand enjoys quite a cult following. The caramel cream element creates an almost dessert-like quality that sets it apart from traditional root beers. You can practically taste the nostalgia in every sip.
The Brownie brand has survived through changing ownership and evolving consumer tastes by staying true to its original formula. It remains a Michigan favorite, though distribution has expanded through specialty retailers and online platforms. The label featuring a cheerful brownie character adds to the vintage charm. For root beer enthusiasts seeking something different from the usual suspects, Brownie delivers a uniquely sweet experience. It’s the perfect base for an old-fashioned ice cream float, where the caramel notes complement vanilla ice cream beautifully. Finding it feels like discovering a hidden treasure from Detroit’s golden age.
Crystal Pepsi: The Clear Cola That Keeps Coming Back
Crystal Pepsi wasn’t just a soda, it was a phenomenon, marketed as a clear alternative to traditional colas with a refreshing citrus twist, and its transparent design made it feel futuristic and cool, with ads featuring Van Halen’s “Right Now” sealing its spot in pop culture history, before being pulled in the early ’90s due to sluggish sales. The concept seemed brilliant on paper: take the familiar Pepsi taste and make it visually “pure.” The reality? Consumers found it confusing and the novelty wore off quickly.
Yet Crystal Pepsi refuses to stay buried. The clear cola from the ’90s is back on select shelves in its original formula, triggering big-time nostalgia. Pepsi has brought it back multiple times as a limited-edition release, recognizing the powerful nostalgia factor among millennials who remember the original campaign. The short-term availability creates urgency and excitement, with fans rushing to stock up whenever it reappears. Social media amplifies each comeback, with unboxing videos and taste tests going viral. Whether Crystal Pepsi will ever return permanently remains questionable, but these periodic resurrections prove that some sodas live forever in our collective memory, even if they failed commercially the first time around.
