X-Entertainment's 2010 Summer Megaparty!



	You are all doomed. Why not surrender? We might let you live.

02/04/2007: New Article? Yes! About old soda!

There was a time, many, many years ago, when I wrote these things called “articles.” I was feeling nostalgic, so I decided, what the hey? Let’s use, a lot of commas, and see if it still feels, okay, to write articles.

Today’s feature chooses “eleven” as its arbitrary token number and examines “eleven” different soft drinks that are no longer with us, running the gamut from Surge to Strawberry Burst Pepsi and beyond. It’s my way of getting a return on the many thousands spent to amass a ridiculous collection of old, sealed soda cans.

I hope you find the article to your liking, because I gave up watching Wolf Creek to write it, and I really wanted to see that “head on a stick” part.

Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

Discussion Thread: 494 comments

« Previous 1 ... 8 9 10

there was a soda based on life savers when i was a kid. i don’t know if they still sell it anywhere though.

Posted by weaponjae @ 06/15/2007 4:33 PM EDT

You can see a picture of the Hubba Bubba soda here: http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/peggyn/bubba.jpg

Posted by me @ 06/23/2007 4:28 AM EDT

That’s a nice list of old sodas.

Posted by chaosgone @ 06/25/2007 7:35 PM EDT

SO, all these flops had one thing in common – they sucked. You know what new soda doesn’t suck? That’s right…Coke Zero. It’s awesome, I love it.

Posted by Taylor @ 06/27/2007 5:38 PM EDT

Forgive me if this was mentioned already, I didn’t feel like reading through all the thousands of posts. Anyone remember Sobe Mr. Green?It was fantastic stuff, and I can’t understand why they stopped making it. It was like Dr. Pepper with a green cherry flavor, and I think it had ginseng in it too.It was actually really good quality stuff, too(like Sobe products in general) and didn’t have that over-sugary watered down taste like most Dr. Pepper imitations. Those of us who loved it should all hit up Sobe’s site and ask ‘em to bring it back. I like you r site by the way.

Posted by Will R @ 06/29/2007 2:00 AM EDT

Ah, Pepsi Blue… I was just starting college when this stuff came out, and like any proper college student, I had no problem downing my first and only bottle in one day. It tasted… okay, but was ultimately disturbing when one begged the question: “what the hell is ‘blue’ supposed to taste like?”

Long story short, it dyed my insides. Think about it for a moment, and you’ll know how I found THAT out…

Posted by Lina @ 06/29/2007 8:39 AM EDT

i really truly loved the orbitz questionable floaties. my friends (middle school age) were having a great time calling me the wierd one because i bought 2 at one time (spent my whole $5 bill!) but i also refused to let them try it, and furthermore – where did canadian mist go anyway? did it get sucked up by nestle waters or something?

Posted by katie @ 06/29/2007 1:29 PM EDT

Don’t forget 7-Up (Pepsi subsidiary) had a Cinnamon-flavored citrus soda. It was awesome back in the early 80s, with a very cool pale red color. When I found out that 7-Up was killing the line, I bought up every case I could find. It lasted over a year, with rationing, but eventually the last was gone (no, it tasted too good to keep a case or a 6-pack for posterity – sorry). Repeated requests over the years to Pepsi, to bring it back have fallen on deaf ears. But, it was good while it lasted.

Posted by rogerborn @ 06/29/2007 8:45 PM EDT

Has anyone ever mixed Dr. Pepper and cold black coffee together? If you do, prepare for a stiff foam head. Love the double caffeine, but the taste is mild, not so sweet and quite good. I mix these together anytime I go to a fast-food place. A most excellent drink. Too bad no one could market this. Cadburry-Schweppes, who owns and markets Dr. Pepper (through Coca-Cola), have never returned any of my recommendations/requests for this. Try it sometime.

Posted by rogerborn @ 06/29/2007 8:51 PM EDT

I just stumbled upon your website….pretty cool.
I have a question….whatever happenned to “josta” cola?

Posted by brian @ 07/09/2007 8:32 PM EDT

What happened to Pepsi Holiday Spice?

Posted by Rune @ 07/16/2007 6:51 PM EDT

Oh man, Stumbled upon a cool article here! I didn’t have time to read through all these posts, but I did scan over quite a few of them. Just a few notes:
1) We still have Tab here, even though it can be hard to find. (I live in western KY)
2) To everyone posting about Vault being hard to find, not here. The Hardees around here have it as a fountain drink. It replaced Mello Yello. Sucks for me as I can’t stand Vault, but like Mello Yello. Vault tastes like anti-freeze.
3) What about Ski? We have it here, but I’m thinking it’s primarily based in southern markets.
4) Coke Blak….wtf were they thinking? Not being a coffee drinker made for an early strike, but I still tried it just for the novelty.
5) Orbits….I liked this stuff. Can’t remember what it tastes like now, just remember that I liked it. I do, however remember the consistency and texture of the little blob thingies. Wierd.
6) Ale81…yeah, we have that here, even though I’ve never tried it. I assume it’s juse ginger ale.
Predictions for the next dead sodas.. Pepsi Razz, Coke Blak, and I can’t think of anymore right now. Guess I’ll have to go around to the convienience stores and see what currently sucks or is just too much of a novelty to last!

Posted by Troy @ 07/17/2007 10:08 AM EDT

What about Sobe Mr. Green or RC EXTREME cola?

And Orbitz was sold in other places other than Woodbridge Mall. I used to work in the Shoprite in Little Ferry, NJ- and we had it there.

Thanks for posting the Orbitz though- my girlfriend and I were trying to remember the name of the product for about 2 months!

Posted by Bry @ 10/27/2008 8:24 PM EST

I had quite a lot of the Pepsi Wild Bunch sodas that one summer when they came out in Pittsburgh. Those were heady days of comic books, cheap snack mix and as many cans of pop you can handle and still ride a bike.

The Raspberry was the weakest of the three. I was just this generic berry soda flavor, like if you took those shitty raspberry hard candies that you find in nursing homes and dissolve them in Pepsi. Not good.

The Strawberry was interesting. It tasted much closer to the target fruit than the Raspberry did. You could probably make a similar version if you were willing to take the time to mix Pepsi and Faygo Red Pop in the correct ratio.

Believe it or not, the Tropical Chill was my favorite. It had almost a pineapple/citrus thing going on. Truth be told, there’s no reason why it wouldn’t work if properly marketed. Easily better than the whole Pepsi with Lemon and Coke with Lime shit they were marketing recently.

I really, really liked Pepsi Blue. No real reason, I suppose. I just did.

One other pop I wanted to mention, that I never really hear anyone talk about is Hubba Bubba Soda. A bizarre pink, bubble gum soda. It was eerie in so much as it tasted exactly like bubble gum (unlike the only thing similar I can find these days, Jones Soda Blue Bubblegum, which tastes like something you swish around in your mouth during a dental procedure – like something evil that they’re just trying to make as pallatable as possible). I used to drink that while chewing Milkshake flavored bubblegum, because it made the most sense to me.

Posted by Blaine @ 11/04/2008 4:02 PM EST

awesome, just awesome. i don’t read many things i stumble onto but this caught my eye. great article.

Posted by mike @ 11/12/2008 5:31 PM EST

i like the fact that Pespi was the one that failed the most.

Posted by Ps360 @ 11/14/2008 3:35 PM EST

u should add to this list with the most recent mountain dew flavors.

Posted by clyn1177 @ 11/17/2008 2:16 AM EST

hey mr….Matt person who typed this article its written very well and its very interesting i thought you would say something about RC though, i know its not entirely ”extinct” as it were but i talk to people from the northern U.S. and they’ve never heard of it

Posted by Carlos @ 12/02/2008 5:28 PM EST

I’ve had only one of these sodas(I’m only 13 and I don’t live in a town that has soda tests), but I’ve had pepsi blure and that is the SHITIEST soda I have ever tried and probably ever will. It almost made me throw up right in the Shop-rite I got the sample from, and I’m still gagging over it today. They say it was a “fruity concoction”, but you may as well have twisted off the top to a bottle of Windex and chugged the entire bottle right then and there. Also, if I’m correct, Surge is still sold in Norway, because the sales over there were and are amazingly plentiful. I’ve never tried it, but if I ever go to Norway, I’ll be sure to snag a bottle or two. I’ll also try a bottle of vault, to try the general taste of it.

Posted by Justin @ 12/07/2008 9:06 PM EST

Coke II is still canned and is being sold in US territories and foreign countries

Posted by Fewinhibitions @ 12/09/2008 1:24 PM EST

Can you believe that Pepsi is the one with the most flubs? That is sad. I am a huge Dr. Pepper drinker, and I have yet to tasted a Dr. Pepper I did not like. Yet Pepsi has had many nasty tasting sodas.

Posted by Misty @ 12/13/2008 5:42 PM EST

I was hoping to see OK soda on the list.

Posted by Matt @ 12/14/2008 3:44 AM EST

i learned so much. viva la cola.

Posted by jblock @ 12/15/2008 7:47 PM EST

OMG! Orbitz! I used to drink those as a child, and I love them! None of my friends remember them, nor anyone else I have talked to for that matter. I have been trying to find evidence of their existence for over 10 years, and now I have! I never could remember the name of the drink – I just knew it was some kind of astronomy term.

I wish they would bring it back. I would buy it!
Thanks so much for listing it!

Posted by Joey @ 12/16/2008 9:48 PM EST

Hah! I was in Thailand when they were advertising Pepsi Fire and Pepsi Ice. We never hunted any down, since it looked rather disgusting, but it takes me back. Fun trip.

Posted by Jaime @ 12/20/2008 3:49 PM EST

If you look around, you’ll find a soda from 1994/95 called Ok soda, put out by Coca Cola. It never made it past the test markets, but the whole story behind it, and how it was aimed at the generation X demographic was awesome. I suggest looking into it. Would make for a great article.

Posted by Jay @ 02/14/2009 3:00 PM EST

I don’t get what the big deal about the energy that SURGE gave people. I remember the ads as clear as yesterday. SUUUUURRRRRGGGEEE!!!!!!! Somebody would yell while doing something extreme.

My friend LOVED the drink, it’s all he would drink. But all it was , was a soft drink. I’m not sure how gamers hypnotized themselves to make themselves think it kept them up to game later.

The energy drinks today are what real energy drinks are. And they don’t even work as much. Back then Surge just had the same amount of caffeine as any other soft drink did.

By the way, if you want to write soft drink companies, if you surf around enough you’ll find contacts other than the terms of use, or privacy contacts (which go no where).

Posted by Adam @ 03/31/2009 6:54 PM EST

On the April 13 edition of Unwrapped on Food Network (9:30 PM ET), they reshowed a segment on Pepsi Blue even though it’s not made here anymore.

Posted by David Johhson @ 04/13/2009 9:50 PM EDT

2 things soda related:

1: Surge f**kn’ RULEZ! There is actually a soda out there now that pretty much uses the same flavoring. If I see it today, i’ll post it.

2: Every year around Christmas time, Coca-Cola secretly comes out with “Kosher Coke”. It replaces the high fructose corn syrup with actual, regular SUGAR! It tastes slightly better and doesn’t burn so damn much going down. Every year I drive to the Jewish side of town and find their major grocery store and ask the manager for the Kosher Coke. It’s worth the drive and mild child-like excitement the drive brings out in my.

Posted by Zach Morris @ 05/27/2009 8:54 AM EDT

One more thing… in every country I been too I try their Coke. I believe Coke makes a slightly different flavor for each country it has a large market in. #1: Italy.

Posted by Zach Morris @ 05/27/2009 8:56 AM EDT

I also remember the soda named “Like” (Pretty sure that was it’s name.) It was advertised on the radio as being ‘Just for girls.’ the advertisment on the radio went with this elderly man saying. “That’s ‘Like’ the soda that all the girls drink” The elderly sounding lady said “yes it is!” The guy sayed “I couldn’t take a little sip?” the lady said “No sir-ee.” The the guy said “I remember you’re Helen O’Donnel” she replied “Yes I am.” and he said boy the last I saw you you were this high –you sure have grew.” and the lady said “Grown” the guy said what and she said “I say grown” and he said well, alright, “Oooo-oaaa.” mu mother used to get a big charge out of that advertisement.

Posted by George Tamero @ 07/10/2009 8:48 PM EDT

I remember most of these and agree with your assessments. I was lucky to live in a Test Market town and used to collect full cans as well, but sadly got rid of them when one burst all over my room. I got to see OK Cola as well. Do you remember what the soda in the red can with a wild cat or something was? Sometime in the 90’s, it was supposed to be a flavor from South America I believe. If you find out, please let me know. Really enjoyed reading this.

Posted by Fara @ 08/24/2009 5:46 PM EDT

I miss pepsi blue and pepsi jazz soooo bad.
I wish that I got the chance to try all these soda’s but I bet there would be a few that you would forever miss.

Posted by Cody @ 04/06/2010 1:00 PM EDT

Wow, I remember Orbitz. I still have a bottle in the attic with those horrible little spheres floating around in it. Disgusting. I actually liked Crystal Pepsi though.

Posted by Frostbite @ 04/18/2010 12:56 AM EDT

I actually really liked Pepsi Blue, and was sad when I didn’t see it anymore in the store!!

Posted by Andrew @ 05/31/2010 9:10 PM EDT

Awesome article, I was just wondering, have you ever had Schwip Schwap? It’s a German drink made by pepsi, it’s orange soda and cola mixed together. And it’s the best thing ever. Shame it’s only in germany ):

Posted by Joel @ 06/19/2010 10:25 AM EDT

question: was baja blast ever available outside of taco bell?

Posted by dan @ 08/02/2010 2:23 AM EDT

Nice flashback, thanks….

I remember trying Orbitz at Courtenay Junior High School. The little balls were like Jello but with a much nastier rice-like texture.

That was the same year we discovered whippits.

Posted by Rob @ 08/03/2010 1:20 AM EDT

Call me crazy but I think if I did drink every one of these I would like them, call it a gut feeling. Always did like Pepsi Blue, and that Strawberry Blast seems up my alley!

Posted by Kyle Haeberle @ 08/29/2010 6:29 AM EDT

I would LOVE to see Coke Black (coffee infused coke) make a comeback!

Posted by Lisa @ 09/02/2010 5:44 PM EDT

The Surge picture reminded me of a restaurant I worked at in the late nineties that put it in the soda gun…not because guests would drink it (it was a fairly swank place), but because it was so high in caffeine and sugar that it would keep us waiters flying high for hours. Holy crap, we loved that stuff!

Posted by Tee @ 09/04/2010 1:52 AM EDT

« Previous 1 ... 8 9 10

Add A New Comment!

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 4th, 2007 at 5:53 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.