9 Forgotten Vintage Sodas Making a Comeback

A fizzy renaissance is being fueled by craft soda, nostalgia, and retro revivals. Through limited-edition releases, regional bottlers, or full-scale relaunches, forgotten vintage sodas—some of which have been out of production for decades—are making a resurgence. Once iconic in their day, these drinks lost their appeal as consumer preferences and branding changed. Now that taste nostalgia is stronger than ever, these nine sodas are making a comeback, bringing back fond memories for die-hard fans and igniting fresh interest in the younger generation.

1. Crystal Pepsi

When Crystal Pepsi was first introduced in the early 1990s, it was a strong, transparent cola that tasted like regular Pepsi without the caramel coloring. Sales petered out by 1994, despite the fact that it was intended to signify purity and a shift in soda trends. Nevertheless, it gained a cult following, and Pepsi has since revived it in small quantities, particularly after demand was boosted by social media campaigns. Its resurgences demonstrate how strong the nostalgia factor is for a soda that was once thought to be too odd to survive, even though it is not permanently on shelves.

2. Original New York Seltzer

Long before it was fashionable, Original New York Seltzer, which was first released in the 1980s, stood out for being naturally flavored, caffeine-free, and free of artificial coloring. It was popular in its time thanks to flavors like peach, black cherry, and vanilla cream. In 2015, it successfully returned after going extinct in the 1990s. Its contemporary re-release retained the same flavor lineup and glass bottle design, making it appealing to both new drinkers and die-hard fans looking for clean-label, nostalgic substitutes for contemporary sugary sodas.

3. Green River

Green River is a lime-flavored, bright green soda that was first introduced in 1919. It became well-known during Prohibition, particularly in soda fountains, and was a mainstay in the Midwest for many years. Its availability gradually decreased to specialized local markets. But in recent years, bottlers have brought it back for distribution across the country and online. It stands out due to its striking color, vintage branding, and zesty citrus flavor. It is currently receiving more attention in the craft and vintage beverage industries.

4. Goody

The Willow Springs Bottling Company produced the well-known soda brand Goody. Known for flavors like Orange, Strawberry, and Root Beer, it was popular in small batches before local bottlers closed and it eventually vanished. Using original-style bottling techniques, vintage soda experts have brought it back to life today. With vintage labels and glass bottles, the reintroduction pays homage to its origins, making it appealing not just for its flavor but also for its vintage appearance. Despite still being a niche market, it is growing in popularity as vintage sodas become more popular.

5. 7UP Gold

Introduced in the mid-1980s, 7UP Gold was a spiced, amber-colored soda that differed from the typical citrus-forward 7UP. It tasted like ginger ale with spices and cinnamon added. Despite its audacity, it perplexed customers and was removed from stores within a year. 7UP Gold is still one of the most talked-about discontinued sodas today, frequently showing up on lists of “bring it back” requests. Its memory is still very much alive, despite the fact that collectors and fans are still fighting for its return.

6. Pepsi Blue

Pepsi Blue, which made its debut in 2002, had an electric blue hue that complemented the bold branding of the early 2000s and a berry-flavored twist. Despite its initial marketing frenzy, it was withdrawn from the U.S. market within two years due to its divisive nature. Pepsi Blue did, however, survive in a few foreign markets and was briefly brought back in 2021 as a result of popular demand. Particularly for those who missed it the first time or just wanted to experience early 2000s pop culture again, its most recent resurgence sparked interest.

7. Slice

Slice, formerly PepsiCo’s fruit soda line, made its debut in the 1980s with juice-infused varieties like Apple Slice and Orange Slice. By the 2000s, it had gradually lost market share and had been phased out. However, Slice has been resurrected as a line of natural-tasting, low-sugar, clean-label sparkling drinks. While adjusting to contemporary health-conscious trends, the new branding capitalizes on nostalgia. Slice’s return demonstrates how classic names can adapt to a new era, even though it might not taste exactly like the original.

8. TaB

TaB, Coca-Cola’s original diet soda, was first released in 1963. It was marketed mainly to women and was well-known for its unique flavor. Even as other diet sodas gained popularity, it gradually gained a devoted following. In 2020, Coca-Cola formally discontinued TaB in order to simplify its product line. However, persistent grassroots initiatives and strong public opposition have sustained the discussion. The prospect of a broader comeback has been maintained, if only in the hearts of nostalgia for the time being, by the appearance of limited reissues or commemorative packs.

9. Delaware Punch

Originally created in 1913, Delaware Punch is a grape-flavored, non-carbonated soft drink that was once widely consumed in the southern United States. In a world of carbonated sodas, it stood out for its strong, sweet flavor and deep purple hue. Although Coca-Cola stopped selling it in the United States in 2020, there is still a small following for it, particularly in Latin America. Delaware Punch’s legacy endures through online nostalgia and specialty markets hoping for a complete resurgence as interest in heritage sodas increases.