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Thruston Today
By the People, for the People
A Look Back At The Biggest Soda Failures In History
Here's a recap of some of the most notoriously bad soft drinks ever produced.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:40pm
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A visual metaphor for the rise and fall of iconic soda brands, as the industry navigates the challenges of innovation and consumer loyalty.Thruston TodayThis article takes a nostalgic look back at some of the biggest soda flops in history, including New Coke, Crystal Pepsi, Pepsi Blue, Surge, Dr. Pepper Red Fusion, and Tab Clear. The author shares their own soda drinking experiences growing up and reflects on why these ambitious soda products ultimately failed to capture consumer interest and enthusiasm.
Why it matters
The soda industry is highly competitive, with Coca-Cola and Pepsi dominating the market. This article provides insight into how even major brands can stumble when trying to innovate or expand their product lines, highlighting the challenges of predicting consumer tastes and maintaining brand loyalty.
The details
The article covers several notable soda failures, including New Coke, which was reviled by consumers and quickly abandoned by Coca-Cola in 1985 after less than 80 days on the market. It also discusses Crystal Pepsi, which had initial success but faded quickly, as well as Pepsi Blue, Surge, Dr. Pepper Red Fusion, and Tab Clear, all of which failed to gain traction with consumers.
- New Coke debuted on April 23, 1985 and was discontinued on July 11, 1985.
- Crystal Pepsi was launched in test markets on April 13, 1992 and nationwide in 1993 before being discontinued by the end of that year.
- Pepsi Blue was introduced in August 2021 and discontinued by 2004.
- Surge was first launched in Norway in 1996 and in the US in 1997, but production was halted in 2003.
- Dr. Pepper Red Fusion was released and discontinued in 2004.
The players
Coca-Cola
The major soft drink company that launched the failed New Coke product in 1985.
Pepsi
The major soft drink company that launched the failed Crystal Pepsi and Pepsi Blue products.
Mountain Dew
The popular citrus-flavored soda brand owned by Pepsi that inspired the failed Surge product.
Dr Pepper
The soft drink brand that launched the failed Dr Pepper Red Fusion product.
Tab
The diet soda brand owned by Coca-Cola that launched the failed Tab Clear product.
What they’re saying
“I grew up chugging cans and 2-litre bottles of it. I also loved raiding the concession stand at Thruston Elementary School's playground and getting a soda right out of the fountain.”
— Chadwick Benefield, Author
“Honestly, I've never understood why it was never really able to hold its ground against Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The Cola Wars really were a two-brand show. For me, RC was and is the reigning champ.”
— Chadwick Benefield, Author
The takeaway
The soda industry is highly competitive, with Coca-Cola and Pepsi dominating the market. Even major brands can struggle when trying to innovate or expand their product lines, as evidenced by the many high-profile soda failures highlighted in this article. Predicting consumer tastes and maintaining brand loyalty are ongoing challenges for soda companies.