Buzz
This summer, skip the usual Cokes and 7-Ups when you’re packing drinks for the beach or a barbecue. Stand out by adding some nostalgic, vintage sodas to the cooler instead. These quirky, regional, and often forgotten drinks were once enjoyed by your grandfather—and they’re still a perfect summer treat for you today.
Cheerwine
As a true soda enthusiast, I’ve tried nearly every drink offered at Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, the country’s premier destination for rare soft drinks, and Cheerwine stands out as the most flavorful and satisfying soda of all the hundreds I’ve tasted. Originating from North Carolina, this regional favorite has been around since 1917. Its deep burgundy hue and the smooth black cherry flavor strike the perfect balance—sweet but not overpowering. It’s rich, folks. Just make sure to grab the cane sugar variety, not the high fructose corn syrup version.
Cheerwine Glass Bottles 12 oz (Pack of 24) $53.99
Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer
Though they share similarities, birch beer is not the same as root beer. A staple in the Northeast since at least the 1700s, birch beer is well-known in some states, while others are unfamiliar with it. Made from the essence of a single type of tree, birch beer offers a cleaner, less medicinal flavor than root beer. It’s more balanced (in my opinion), with a touch of wintergreen instead of the distinctive sassafras flavor. It also boasts a deep red hue, unlike root beer’s dark color, and Pennsylvania Dutch’s retro packaging has a certain coolness to it.
Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer (12 Bottles) $32.99
Bubble Up
If you're a fan of the lemon-lime flavor found in 7-Up or Sprite, try the original version, Bubble Up, which has been around since 1919. It's a little different from its modern counterparts. It’s less fizzy and has a more pronounced lemon taste than 7-Up and its imitators. The texture is lighter, too—likely because it’s made with sugar instead of corn syrup. Plus, the logo is absolutely iconic.
Bubble Up (12 bottles) $39.95
Moxie
Moxie is about as vintage as it gets. First introduced in 1876 by Augustin Thompson as a patented medicine called "Moxie Nerve Food," Moxie became the drink of choice for figures like Calvin Coolidge and Ted Williams. Once so popular that it gave rise to the slang term 'moxie,' meaning energy or pep, it’s now mostly a regional favorite in New England, where its bittersweet flavor, derived from gentian root, is still appreciated. Personally, it’s not my cup of tea, but it has its loyal fans.
Moxie Soda (12 Cans) $31.99
Grapefruit Kiss
Grapefruit soda may not be the top pick for most, but Grapefruit Kiss softens the grapefruit’s sourness with a blend of other citrus flavors and a generous amount of cane sugar, giving it a one-of-a-kind tang. It’s delicious on its own and also makes an excellent cocktail mixer—add some vodka to your Kiss, and you’ve got a fantastic poolside drink. Although it may be a more modern creation than the ‘grandpa’s favorite’ type, don’t let that hold you back from trying Grapefruit Kiss.
Grapefruit Kiss (12 bottles) $42.50
Nehi
Nehi, a soda brand that debuted in 1942, surprisingly continues to exist in 2023. With a nostalgic feel that recalls the good old days of your grandfather’s childhood, most of Nehi’s flavors are simple and somewhat average. However, the peach flavor stands out, if only because it’s a true peach soda.
Nehi Soda 3-Pack: Grape, Orange and Peach (3 bottles) $22.79
Boylan Sugar Cane Cola
I’ve tried countless colas, from RC to Coke to Pepsi and beyond, but Boylan’s Cane Cola is hands down the best. Sweetened with cane sugar and with a more balanced carbonation level, Boylan’s Cane Cola delivers a level of sophistication and smoothness that other colas can only dream of.
Boylan Sugar Cane Cola Soda (12 bottles) $35.99
Faygo Root Beer
Long a favorite of Detroiters, Faygo’s line of sodas have been around since 1907. While there are a variety of flavors of Faygo, the top is their root beer, which Bon Appétit named the best root beer in America in 2009 for its “frothy head, good bite, and long finish.” Any beverage that is a favorite of both Bon Appétit and the Insane Clown Posse has to have something going for it.
Faygo Root Beer (6 bottles) $16.49
Red Ribbon Cherry Supreme
I’m a big fan of cherry soda, and Red Ribbon’s Cherry Supreme truly lives up to its name. It’s absolutely delicious. Originally introduced in 1904, this rare soda has stood the test of time and is still around today.
Red Ribbon Cherry Soda (24 bottles) $83.99
Nesbitt’s Orange Soda
Nesbitt’s orange soda is like a sacred drink for me. It’s a bit of a mystery whether this California-made brand is still in production, but I’d be thrilled to stumble upon a forgotten case in a second-hand soda shop. For now, I’m signing up for waiting lists and hoping that the company who owns the rights will decide to bring it back. While vintage bottles of Nesbitt’s are available on eBay, I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to actually drink them.
Goody Blue Pop
I haven’t tried Goody Blue Pop yet, but I’m already smitten with its nostalgic bottle design, the striking blue hue, and the name itself. Simply calling it “Blue Pop” is unbeatable. It’s said to have a raspberry and cream flavor, though I imagine it just tastes like the color blue. Jic Jac’s blue soda is pretty awesome too.
Goody Blue Pop (12 bottles) $42.50
Grab a variety pack
If you're looking to explore a range of nostalgic soda brands, capitalism certainly makes it easy for you to indulge in this pursuit. Orca Beverages has a significant share in the market for revived soft drinks, so you can't go wrong with their assortment of beverages. Additionally, World Market offers a curated selection of classic sodas.
