Influencer drinks 28-year-old Orbitz soda, says it's "pretty good"

Ryan Doka drank an unopened bottle of the '90s cult classic beverage to see what would happen.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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YouTube influencer Ryan Doka recently drank an unopened bottle of Orbitz, a '90s cult classic soda with floating fruit-flavored jelly beads, that expired in 1998 - 28 years ago. Despite the expired nature of the drink, Doka said the Orbitz "doesn't taste that bad" and awarded it an 8/10 rating, though he noted he didn't like the texture of the jelly balls. The video has sparked nostalgia among viewers who remembered the discontinued beverage from their childhood.

Why it matters

Orbitz was a unique and memorable soft drink from the 1990s that has since been discontinued, making any remaining bottles a rare find. Doka's willingness to try the expired soda, even decades past its expiration date, highlights the enduring interest and curiosity around retro food and drink products from that era.

The details

Orbitz was first launched in 1996 by The Clearly Food & Beverage Company, billed as a "texturally enhanced alternative beverage" due to the floating fruit-flavored jelly beads in the drink. The soda was criticized by many for its unusual, "slimy" texture from the gelatine balls. Despite being discontinued, some Orbitz bottles can still be found on sites like eBay, where they can sell for $24 to $80 per bottle.

  • Orbitz was first launched in 1996.
  • Orbitz had a wider rollout into territories outside of Canada in 1997.
  • The bottle Doka drank expired in 1998.
  • Doka was only 4 years old when the Orbitz bottle he drank was made.

The players

Ryan Doka

A YouTube influencer known for making videos where he mixes various foods and drinks, including expired products, to see the results.

The Clearly Food & Beverage Company

The company that originally launched Orbitz in 1996 as a "texturally enhanced alternative beverage" featuring floating fruit-flavored jelly beads.

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What they’re saying

“Hey, that's pretty good. All things considered, I don't like the balls though, the texture's kind of off.”

— Ryan Doka (YouTube)

“If this tasted better when it was fresh, they should really bring this back because this would be fantastic.”

— Ryan Doka (YouTube)

“Orbitz was ahead of its time. With the modern interest in bubble teas, it would go great today.”

— YouTube Viewer (YouTube)

“I thought I imagined that stuff, dude pulled a relic from the matrix lol 🤣.”

— YouTube Viewer (YouTube)

“I loved Orbitz when I was a kid. I still remember when I found out that it was discontinued. I was 9.”

— YouTube Viewer (YouTube)

What’s next

There have been rumors over the years that Orbitz may make a comeback, but the proprietary equipment to make the drink is no longer available and the trademark has lapsed, making a revival unlikely.

The takeaway

Doka's willingness to try the expired Orbitz soda, even decades past its expiration date, highlights the enduring nostalgia and curiosity around retro food and drink products from the 1990s, a time when the soft drink market was especially experimental and unique.