The soda aisle is about to get seriously interesting. While most summers bring predictable fruit punches and diet versions of the same old thing, 2025 is serving up something different. We’re talking creamy cola mashups that taste like childhood memories, functional fizz with actual mushrooms, and flavors so bold they make Mountain Dew look conservative.
This isn’t your typical “new flavor, same formula” summer lineup. Brands are taking real swings—some nostalgic, some bizarre, all designed to make you do a double-take in the beverage cooler. Whether you’re hunting for the next viral TikTok drink or just want something that doesn’t taste like every other lemon-lime on the shelf, this season’s got you covered.
Fair warning: half of these are limited editions, which means they’ll vanish faster than ice cream on hot pavement. So if something catches your eye, don’t sleep on it.
Sprite Chill Cherry Lime
Sprite hasn’t always been known for bold swings, but that changed fast with Chill Cherry Lime. What started as a limited run in 2024 exploded into Coca-Cola’s biggest North American success of the year, even to the point of reportedly converting non-Sprite drinkers.
The twist is that it doesn’t just taste like cherry-lime Sprite. It cools your mouth, like a mint, but soda. And somehow it works. The combo of zesty citrus, sweet cherry, and that chilling finish turned skeptics into believers. It’s now permanent (Sprite Chill Cherry Lime became a permanent addition to Coca-Cola’s lineup in early 2025) in both regular and sugar-free varieties, so expect it everywhere this summer.
Mountain Dew Summer Freeze
This one looks like a firecracker popsicle in a can—blue and red, syrupy sweet, and unapologetically chaotic. It doesn’t really taste like real fruit—more like memories. If you grew up slurping red, white, and blue popsicles in July, this one will hit like a brain freeze from the past.
Originally released as a limited-time offer in Summer 2022, it made a popular return in Summer 2023 due to its cult following, and now the beverage is making a comeback nationwide on June 16.
Coca-Cola Orange Cream
Yes, it’s new (the flavor was officially released in stores across the U.S. and Canada on February 10th), but it’s also the most nostalgic thing Coke has released in a while. Orange Cream takes the classic cola base and infuses it with smooth vanilla and citrusy orange. The result is somewhere between a dreamsicle and a soda fountain special.
This one’s riding a big launch campaign this summer (complete with Mariah Carey soundtrack), and you’ll find it in bottles, cans, and Freestyle machines at Wendy’s.
Dr Pepper Vanilla Float
Dr Pepper fans have been clamoring for this one, and its return has been a long time coming. Vanilla Float first hit shelves as a limited edition in 2014 and, true to form, disappeared quickly. While it’s made fleeting returns since then, notably in 2017, this summer marks another chance to grab this creamy twist on that 23-flavor classic.
It’s back for a limited time, and you’ll primarily find 12-ounce cans at participating Walmart and Rouses stores in Louisiana through the end of July. Broader availability (including on Amazon, potentially via resellers) may also appear. If you spot it, grab it. This one won’t be around forever.
Sprite + Tea
You read that right. Sprite is testing a tea line. Officially launched on May 19, 2025, the beverage sounds like a stretch (lemon-lime soda with iced tea vibes), but early testers say it’s surprisingly smooth. It’s less sweet than normal Sprite and more refreshing than most canned teas.
It’s still rolling out in select markets and will only be available through October 2025 in regular and zero-sugar variants (12-oz single bottles and 12-packs), but if it hits your area, it’s worth cracking open on a hot afternoon.
Bloom Pop: New Summer Flavors
Bloom Pop isn’t your average soda – it’s part of the better-for-you wave, blending real fruit juice with functional ingredients and just 3-4g of sugar. While you’ll need to wait until Labor Day for its nationwide debut, the lineup promises nostalgic twists like Shirley Temple, Raspberry Lemon, and Classic Orange.
These are the kinds of drinks you bring to the beach and pretend to be healthy. They’re not Sprite-sweet, but they pack flavor without the crash. Stock up when it hits Walmart and major retailers this fall.
Crush ‘Back to the 80s’ Electric Blue Razz
This one’s pure fun. Bright blue, wild raspberry, and full-on sugar rush. Electric Blue Razz is part of Crush’s nostalgic summer-focused limited edition lineup, which basically dares you to drink like it’s 1987. It’s not subtle, but it wasn’t meant to be. While specific nutritional information hasn’t been fully released yet, expect it to pack a sugar punch similar to other Crush flavors — so it’s probably going to be great for parties (not so much for your teeth).
The soda, which is caffeine-free and made with carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, natural and artificial flavors, citric acid, sodium benzoate (a preservative), and the signature Blue 1 coloring, is expected to be available in 12-oz cans in select markets in July.
A&W Ice Cream Sundae
Dessert-themed sodas are having a moment, and A&W is jumping in with the Ice Cream Sundae. This new limited-time flavor, officially launching in August 2025, blends sweet vanilla ice cream and a rich fudge flavor, inspired by the nostalgia of a soda shop sundae.
It’s not quite a float in a can, but it gets close—think soda shop energy without the scoop. Available in regular and zero-sugar 12-packs, this release is already generating significant excitement among fans.
Reed’s Functional Sodas
Reed’s went a different direction this year. Instead of chasing the wild flavor trend, they leaned into wellness. Their multifunctional sodas come with added ingredients like organic ginger, prebiotics, and functional mushrooms, including reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane, and chaga.
The lineup launched in May and is available in four flavors: Berry Bubbly, Strawberry Vanilla, Root Beer, and Lemongrass Ginger. They’re fizzy but not too sweet (only 5g of organic cane sugar per can) and hit that “I want something bubbly but don’t want to feel gross after” vibe.