Soda is supposed to be refreshing and fun. But these 15 flavors? They prove that not every flavor belongs in a can. Some are too strange, while others have downright confusing blends. Prepare yourself for a list that’s as shocking as it is fizzy!
15. Sprite Ice
Sprite Ice was introduced back in 2002 in South Korea, and later in other countries like Canada and Mexico. The flavor profile was quite jarring. It featured the classic lemon-lime flavor, combined with an “icy” and menthol-like taste. Not all fans were happy; some of them said that the flavor shift felt off and it gave them heartburn.
14. Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray Soda
Celery as a soda? Just no. While very unique, Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda feels more like a vegetable broth or a pickle rather than a refreshing soda we’re familiar with. It’s made with celery seed extract that gives it a savory, herbal taste. So, if you’re looking for that sweet, fruity flavor, there’s zero chance you’ll find it here.
13. Gingerbread Snap’d Mountain Dew
It’s the holiday season of 2021 and Mountain Dew released a limited-time flavor: Gingerbread Snap’d. It was a bold move, considering that gingerbread doesn’t naturally pair well with the citrus base of soda. While some fans appreciated the novelty, others just took a few sips and didn’t bother with the rest. This Redditor had the same experience.
12. Flamin’ Hot Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew is really bold when it comes to flavor experimentations, so bold they created a soda inspired by Flamin’ Hot Cheetos! Flavor-wise, it’s different and stands out in the market. If you’re into unique flavor profiles, you might just love it. However, for some, the lingering aftertaste and burning sensation were major problems. One soda fan put it simply: “It felt like drinking acid reflux.”
11. Pepsi Mango
You know Pepsi for its crisp, caramel notes of cola. Now, imagine that being combined with a tropical fruit, to be specific, mango. What do you think? Exactly—they don’t naturally complement. Those who were able to try also noticed the lingering artificial sweetness, which made it less refreshing. In early 2025, Pepsi Mango was officially discontinued.
10. Dreamworld Coca-Cola
Back in August 2022, Coca-Cola released a limited-edition experimental soda called “Dreamworld.” It was crafted to capture the essence of a dream, combining classic Coke with fruity flavors. Did it capture the “dreamy” vibe? Well, for those who tried it, it felt like the flavor came out as a vague dream. They detected peach, mango, and even a soap-like flavor. It’s a novelty worth trying once.
9. Moxie Cola
Introduced in 1870s, Moxie Cola is a century-old soda and yet it still divides drinkers into two camps: fans and detractors. Those who love it see the soda not as a candy but as a challenge. Meanwhile, the detractors don’t like the pungent bitterness. It’s flavored with gentian root extract, giving it an herbal flavor.
8. Virgil’s Zero Sugar Root Beer
What’s wrong with root beer? According to those who have tried this drink, the classic Virgil’s taste is there, but after a few sips, the root beer base is washed off with chemical or dish-soapy taste. The culprit, they say, is the combination of monk fruit, stevia, and erythritol, which is the alternative to sugar. This might be worth a shot, though, if you’re looking for something healthier.
7. Pepsi Peeps
Pepsi x Peeps, also known as the marshmallow-flavored Pepsi, sounded whimsical and nostalgic. In truth, the soda was described as chemically sweet, overwhelming the original Pepsi flavor. Some found that it tasted more like cake frosting or vanilla rather than creamy marshmallow.
6. Jones Watermelon Soda
Instead of bringing that fresh, summery vibe of melon, Jones Watermelon Soda showed us a confusing fruit identity. Tasters couldn’t even agree on the flavor. Some said it’s like cantaloupe, others said it’s somewhere between flavorless and bitter. If you’re looking for that real fruity burst, you’re better off with Green Apple and Strawberry Lime flavors.
5. Pepsi Fire
Pepsi Fire attempted to combine classic cola with spicy cinnamon, and failed. Soda fans found it underwhelming, as the cinnamon taste was only there as an aftertaste. Additionally, many noted the presence of an alcoholic undertone, as if Pepsi added booze to the ingredients. But rest assured it’s non-alcoholic. It’s just the overall flavor missed the mark.
4. 7UP Gold
7UP is known for being caffeine-free and refreshing, but the 7UP Gold flavor broke that core identity. Released in 1988, it was dark brown in color and with caffeine. It was also spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and mild apple notes. The result was more like a ginger ale with notes of cinnamon rather than a crisp, refreshing soda. The disconnect made people skip this flavor.
3. Lester’s Fixins Bacon Soda
Lester’s Fixins Bacon Soda is exactly what you think it is. A soda made to evoke the taste of bacon. If that already made you recoil, wait until you learn about its aftertaste. Those who were able to try described it as too sweet, like drinking a syrupy bacon with a chemical edge. If you’re up for a wild soda, this could be it.
2. Fruit Quake Mountain Dew
Fruit Quake was another limited-edition holiday release from Mountain Dew back in 2022. It was marketed as a soda with “artificial fruitcake flavor,” featuring fruitcake spices and dried fruit notes. However, reviews called it “cherry cough medicine,” while others found it unbearably sweet and lacking in any real fruit punch.
1. Beverly Coca-Cola
For the number one spot, we have Beverly Coke, which defies soda norms by being unusually bitter. This flavor was made for the Italian market, and was served as a non-alcoholic aperitif, until it was discontinued in 2009. However, if you want to see if it does defy expectations, Beverly Coke is available for tasting at Coca-Cola stores in Disney Springs and Las Vegas.