These improbable drinks were a big flop

For each success story In the global soda market, there is a flop story worth checking out. Here are 10 of the most absurd.

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It was to be the next commercial success and aimed particularly at young people. But today, Coca-Cola is ending production of the “Spiced” flavor after just six months.

A typical taste of coke mixed with intense notes of raspberry: it is with this mixture that the American drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola wanted to attract new young drinkers from Generation Z. Failed. The demand was too low. Although the American beverage giant’s global revenue increased overall in the second quarter of 2024, it fell in North America – precisely in the only market where “Spiced” was available.

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But ultimately, Spiced is just the latest example in a long line of soft drink flops. Here are others:

New Coke

After years of stagnant sales, Coca-Cola decided in 1985 to take drastic measures. To regain market share lost to Pepsi, the Atlanta beverage maker replaced its legendary, strictly protected, 99-year-old formula with a supposedly smoother, sweeter taste: New Coke.

Total failure. Only 13% of Coca-Cola drinkers liked New Coke. Angry fans have launched campaigns and petitions. And just 77 days later, the company brought back the old Coke formula.

This marketing error is often cited today in business schools as an example not to follow when wanting to launch a product on the market. But in the end, failure turned out to be an unexpected opportunity. Thanks to advertising and the renewed interest in “Classic Coke”, Coca-Cola experienced a boost which still continues today. Because it’s well known: it doesn’t matter whether people talk about us well or badly, what matters is that they talk about us.

Coca-Cola has also made other blunders.

Coca-Cola Black

In the early 2000s, people thought a mix of coke and coffee was a good idea. At least for 17 months when Coca-Cola Blak was present on store shelves. Subsequently, it was the Blak out.

Pepsi A.M.

Fifteen years earlier, the old competitor Pepsi had already tested an invention in this taste. After regaining momentum thanks to its flop New Coke which attempted to bring the old formula up to date, Coca-Cola decided to attack its customers at the moment when they were most vulnerable: early on Morning. Pepsi wanted to do the same with AM, “with ALL the sugar and TWICE the caffeine” of normal Pepsi.

The experiment lasted for almost a year, until it was realized that there wasn’t much demand for the breakfast soda.

Crystal Pepsi

This one is just like your favorite Pepsi taste-wise. The only difference is that he’s not brown.

A detail that is important, as most consumers have judged. Crystal Pepsi existed from 1992 to 1993 and has since disappeared (except for a few retro editions in limited quantities).

Rivella yellow

Image: PHOTOPRESS/RIVELLA

Rivella did not fare better with the yellow Rivella launched in 2008. The “What color is your thirst?” advertising campaign was gigantic, but the yellow taste was not well received. At first, Rivella adapted the recipe, without success. In 2012, the yellow Rivella disappeared from Swiss store shelves.

Rivella in the United States

In 2001, then again in 2004, the most Swiss of lemonades tried to conquer the American market. Unfortunately, the feat never happened. The trials did not achieve their minimum objectives, far from it. The idea that we could make something refreshing and sparkling from whey did not appeal to the Amerloques.

Added to this is the fact that a product from the high-cost island of Switzerland will always remain a rather expensive niche product. Plans to conquer Great Britain also failed. The Netherlands, on the other hand, were won over.

Bacon Soda

Soda, in itself, is not very good for your health. Neither does bacon. How about a bacon soda? Bacon Soda never managed to make its way onto the shelves of major retailers, but remained a coveted product that is now only available as a gadget on Amazon.

Virgin Vodka

A product straight out of Richard Branson’s 360 degree fantasies. While we fly across the Atlantic in Virgin Class on a Virgin jet and watch Virgin television on demand, we treat ourselves to another Virgin vodka with a Virgin tonic.

Especially since the attribute “virgin” in English is synonymous with “without alcohol”. SO? Wouldn’t that be… water? Branson’s Virgin was very drunk. In any case, the spirit disappeared quietly after a few years.

Mineral water for pets

Image: shutterstock

In 1994, the Florida-based Original Pet Drink Company launched Thirsty Dog! and Thirsty Cat! – bottled water for pets. The soft drink, enriched with vitamins, came in two pet-friendly flavors: Crispy Beef for dogs and Tangy Fish for cats.

The drink has even been approved for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (in case either owner had a sudden craving for meat to drink). It was a failure. Apparently the manufacturers forgot that animals, who like to lick their behinds, don’t really care where their water comes from.

Bonus: Meanwhile, in Japan…

For some reason, the Japanese love “clear” versions of our favorite drinks. Coca-Cola recently launched Clear Coke there:

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And there is Clear Beer, which is beer-flavored mineral water. Yes, you read that correctly. And there’s even Clear Espresso and Milk.

What a time to be alive.

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Des milkshakes absurdement lourds made in USA, hell yeah!

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Des milkshakes absurdement lourds made in USA, hell yeah!

source: sodajerkco.com / sodajerkco.com