Buzz
While New Coke and Crystal Pepsi are often remembered as major flops, both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have experimented with numerous other beverages over the years. Many of these creations were short-lived and have since faded into obscurity. Here are 12 such examples.
1. OK Soda
In 1993, Coca-Cola aimed to tap into the counterculture vibe of Generation X, known for its skepticism and anti-establishment views. Spearheaded by marketing executive Sergio Zyman, OK Soda was designed to resonate with this demographic’s distrust of big corporations. (Interestingly, some conspiracy theorists still claim OK Soda was a CIA-backed scheme to win over Gen Xers and steer them toward conservatism.) The brand featured a unique manifesto and an edgy marketing campaign centered on the reassuring slogan, “Things are going to be OK.” Coca-Cola even enlisted alternative comic artists Daniel Clowes (Ghost World) and Charles Burns (Black Hole) to create can designs and ads. Despite its innovative approach, OK Soda was discontinued in 1995 due to lackluster sales. Today, collectors can find its cans and packaging on eBay, often priced around $50 per can.
Here’s an interesting tidbit: Sergio Zyman, the mastermind behind OK Soda, was also responsible for the infamous launch of New Coke in 1985.
2. Lemon-Lime Slice
In 1984, Pepsi rolled out Lemon-Lime Slice to challenge 7-Up and Sprite. Initially, Slice performed well, prompting Pepsi to expand the line with flavors like Apple, Grape, Passionfruit, and even a Dr. Pepper rival called Dr. Slice. By May 1987, Slice held 3.2% of the soda market, but its share plummeted to under 2% within a year. The high production costs and Coca-Cola’s cheaper, tastier Minute Maid Orange soda contributed to its decline. While some Slice variants remain at soda fountains, the original Lemon-Lime Slice was phased out in 2003 and replaced by Sierra Mist.
3. Beverly
Coca-Cola debuted Beverly
4. Mountain Dew Sport
Following extensive trials in 1989, Pepsi launched Mountain Dew Sport in 1990. This low-calorie sports drink, with a diet version containing zero calories, aimed to rival Gatorade. Despite its innovative approach, it was pulled from shelves in 1991 due to poor sales. Pepsi later introduced All Sport, a modified version of Mountain Dew Sport, which remained popular throughout the 1990s. After acquiring Gatorade in 2001, Pepsi struck a deal with the FTC to divest All Sport to promote market competition. The brand eventually ended up with the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, which reintroduced All Sport in 2009, making it a distant successor to Mountain Dew Sport.
5. Coca-Cola C2
During the peak of low-carb diet trends, Coca-Cola introduced Coca-Cola C2 in 2004, targeting Japan, the U.S., and Canada. Marketed as having half the sugar, calories, and carbs of regular Coke, the product was heavily promoted with ads featuring Queen’s “I Want To Break Free” and The Rolling Stones’ “You Can't Always Get What You Want.” However, due to lackluster sales, Coca-Cola discontinued C2 in 2007.
6. Pepsi Wild Bunch
In the summer of 1991, Pepsi launched three unique flavors under the name Pepsi Wild Bunch, aiming to evoke the essence of summer with Strawberry Burst, Tropical Chill, and Raging Razzberry. However, the product came in a three-pack, forcing consumers to buy all flavors even if they only wanted one. Limited to select U.S. test markets, Pepsi Wild Bunch was discontinued within a year due to lack of success.
7. Sprite Remix
Coca-Cola introduced Sprite Remix in 2003 to appeal to the growing hip-hop and DJ remix culture. This variant of Sprite featured a citrusy twist and was offered in three flavors: Tropical, Berryclear, and Aruba Jam.
Later, Coca-Cola released a DIY version of Sprite Remix, pairing a flavor packet with a can of regular Sprite. Options included Grape, Vanilla, and Cherry. Despite its innovative approach, Sprite Remix was discontinued in 2005 due to low sales. However, reports suggest that Sprite Tropical, a rebranded version, has recently reappeared in select southeastern U.S. markets.
8. Pepsi Natural
In 2008, Pepsi launched Pepsi Natural, a soda crafted without artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or sweeteners. Made with sparkling water, natural caramel, apple extract, kola nut extract, and cane sugar, it avoided high-fructose corn syrup. Packaged in a stylish 12-ounce glass bottle, it was sold exclusively in premium grocery stores and natural food sections. Similar to Pepsi Raw in the UK, Pepsi Natural was discontinued in 2010 due to underwhelming sales.
9. Vault
In 2005, Coca-Cola introduced Vault to rival Pepsi’s Mountain Dew. This citrus-flavored soda-energy drink hybrid targeted teenage boys and young men. Vault gained attention during Super Bowl XL with ads proclaiming it “Drinks like a soda, kicks like an energy drink.” Variants like Vault Zero, Grape Vault, Peach Vault, and Vault Red Blitz were also released before the entire line was discontinued in 2011.
10. Diet Pepsi Jazz
Diet Pepsi Jazz debuted in 2006, offering three unique flavors: Black Cherry and French Vanilla, Strawberries and Cream, and Caramel Cream. Marketed as “The New Sound of Cola,” it was discontinued in 2009 after failing to gain lasting popularity.
11. Coca-Cola BlāK
In 2006, Coca-Cola introduced Coca-Cola BlāK, a unique coffee-flavored soda designed to appeal to coffee enthusiasts. After two years of development, the company aimed to capture the premium coffee market. However, Coca-Cola BlāK was discontinued in 2007, with remaining stock sold through 2008.
Pepsi also experimented with coffee-flavored sodas in the 1990s, releasing Pepsi Kona and Pepsi Cappuccino in select test markets.
12. Pepsi A.M.
In 1989, Pepsi launched Pepsi A.M., a breakfast soda with 28% more caffeine than regular Pepsi, though still significantly less than coffee. Despite its innovative concept, Pepsi A.M. was discontinued in 1990 due to poor sales.
While The Coca-Cola Company never produced a specific “morning” version of Coca-Cola, it promoted the concept of enjoying soda at breakfast through its “Coca-Cola in the Morning” advertising campaign.
