Hey there, fellow soda enthusiasts! Remember the days when we’d ride our bikes to the corner store with a handful of nickels jingling in our pockets, ready to grab an ice-cold bottle of our favorite fizzy drink? Today, let’s take a sweet and bubbly trip down memory lane as we revisit some beloved sodas from the ’60s and ’70s that have sadly disappeared from our store shelves. These aren’t just drinks – they’re liquid memories of simpler times.
Table of Contents
1. Teem (1959-1984)
Before Sprite became the lemon-lime king, Teem was PepsiCo’s refreshing answer to 7-Up. This crisp, citrusy delight was a staple at backyard barbecues and pool parties throughout the ’60s and early ’70s. The drink’s catchy slogan “It Takes Teem to Please” had us all convinced we were drinking liquid sunshine, until Pepsi decided to discontinue it in favor of Slice in 1984.
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2. Royal Crown Draft Cola (1969-1971)
RC tried something revolutionary with their Draft Cola – a premium cola that was barrel-aged like fine beer. It came in a distinctive brown bottle and had a rich, complex taste that made us feel downright sophisticated. Though it only lasted a couple of years, it represented the experimental spirit of the late ’60s perfectly.
3. Aspen Apple Soda (1978-1982)
Pepsi’s attempt at an apple-flavored soda was like autumn in a can. With its crisp, refreshing taste and mountain-fresh marketing, Aspen captured our imagination during its brief run. It was particularly popular during summer picnics, offering a unique alternative to traditional cola flavors before disappearing into beverage history.
4. Fanta Root Beer (1960-1975)
Before Fanta became synonymous with fruit flavors, they produced a rich, creamy root beer that gave A&W and Hires a run for their money. The distinct vanilla notes and perfect carbonation made it a favorite at drive-in movies and soda fountains. While Fanta’s orange and grape sodas lived on, their root beer became a cherished memory of the era.
5. Pepsi Light (1975-1980)
This innovative diet cola was infused with lemon flavor and marketed as a “diet cola with a twist.” It was one of the first diet sodas that actually tasted good, making it a hit with weight-conscious soda lovers. The distinctive sunburst design on the can and bottle made it stand out on shelves during the disco era.
6. Mountain Dew Red (1969-1971)
Before Mountain Dew became the neon green drink we know today, there was Mountain Dew Red. This cherry-flavored variant had a devoted following among college students and young adults. Its bold taste and eye-catching packaging made it a symbol of the counterculture movement, though it ultimately couldn’t compete with its green sibling.
7. Life Cola (1963-1969)
With its unique blend of cola flavor and hints of vanilla and cinnamon, Life Cola aimed to be the sophisticated choice for adults. The elegant glass bottles featured a distinctive art deco design that made them collector’s items. Despite its refined taste, it couldn’t survive the intense cola wars of the late ’60s.
8. Gini Lemon (1966-1972)
This European import made waves in American markets with its sophisticated blend of natural lemon oils and light carbonation. Popular at dinner parties and upscale restaurants, Gini Lemon offered a more refined alternative to traditional lemon-lime sodas. Its distinctive yellow glass bottles were a common sight at social gatherings of the late ’60s.
9. Sport Cola (1965-1970)
Marketed as the “active person’s cola,” Sport Cola contained added electrolytes long before sports drinks became popular. Its unique formula made it a favorite among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. The drink’s aluminum cans featured dynamic sports imagery that captured the active lifestyle trend of the mid-’60s.
10. Bubble Up (1960s version)
While Bubble Up still exists today, the original 1960s formula was something special. With its extra-fizzy carbonation and unique lime-lemon flavor ratio, it was known as the “kiss of lemon-lime.” The distinctive bubble-shaped glass bottles and space-age advertising captured the optimistic spirit of the early ’60s perfectly.
