Fading Flavors: Soda Brands That Came and Went

Soda companies have spent decades trying new and innovative flavors to capture market share. However, not all of them are successful. Coca-Cola introduced Tab in 1963 as its first diet soda, which lasted for decades before being discontinued in 2020. The company also launched New Coke in 1985, but it was met with a massive backlash and was brought back just 79 days later.

Coca-Cola is not the only company to have tried new flavors that ultimately failed. Jolt Cola arrived in the mid-1980s with extra caffeine, but the company behind it filed for bankruptcy in 2009. REDCON1 revived the Jolt name in 2025 as a stronger energy drink and also sells a Jolt Modern Soda line.

Another example is Crystal Pepsi, which was introduced by Pepsi in 1992 as a clear cola. The original run lasted until early 1994, but nostalgia kept the name alive, and it was brought back for a limited release in 2022 to celebrate its 30th anniversary.