Ever seen a soda flavor that made you do a double-take? While most of us stick to our regular colas and lemon-lime sodas, there’s a whole world of weird and wonderful fizzy drinks out there. I’m talking sodas that taste like vegetables, meat, and even desserts! Honestly, some of these drinks sound like they were invented on a dare. But people actually buy and drink them – and some even swear by them. Ready to find out about some of the strangest soda flavors that might just blow your mind?
Celery soda is surprisingly popular
Yes, you read that right – celery soda is a real thing! Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray Soda has been around since the late 1800s and has a loyal following, especially in New York delis. It doesn’t taste exactly like biting into a celery stalk. Instead, it has a light, refreshing taste with hints of celery and a peppery kick. Many people compare it to ginger ale but with a veggie twist. It was originally sold as a health tonic before becoming a regular soda, which explains the unusual flavor choice.
What’s interesting is that this isn’t just some weird novelty drink that nobody actually enjoys. Cel-Ray has stood the test of time for over 100 years. It pairs really well with salty foods like pastrami sandwiches, which is why you’ll often find it in Jewish delis. People who grow up drinking it often develop a strong attachment to the unique taste. If you’re looking to try something completely different from your usual soda, Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray might be a good place to start your weird soda adventure.
Bacon soda takes meat flavors to a new level
If vegetables aren’t your thing, how about meat-flavored soda? Bacon soda exists, and it’s exactly what it sounds like – a carbonated drink that tastes like everyone’s favorite breakfast meat. Brands like Lester’s Fixins have created bacon-flavored sodas that attempt to capture that smoky, salty bacon taste in liquid form. Some versions even come with chocolate added to the mix, creating a sweet and savory combination that’s either intriguing or horrifying, depending on who you ask. The bacon flavor comes from artificial flavoring rather than actual bacon, making it suitable for vegetarians who miss bacon.
Most people try bacon soda out of curiosity rather than expecting it to become their new favorite drink. The taste is often described as smoky with a strong artificial bacon flavor that lingers. Some people compare it to liquid bacon bits or bacon-flavored jelly beans. While not everyone enjoys it, bacon soda has found its place in novelty candy shops and specialty soda stores. It makes for a great gag gift or a unique addition to a party where guests can sample weird soda flavors.
Ranch dressing soda is weirdly real
Just when you thought things couldn’t get stranger, let me introduce you to ranch dressing soda. Yes, someone decided to make a carbonated version of America’s favorite salad dressing. Ranch soda tries to capture that herby, creamy flavor in a sweet, fizzy form. The result is a drink that tastes like a mix of herbs, garlic, and buttermilk – all in a sugary soda. Most people who try it describe it as tasting exactly like liquid ranch dressing, but with bubbles and sweetness added, which creates a truly odd drinking experience.
Ranch dressing soda isn’t meant to be consumed regularly. It’s more of a novelty item that people buy as a joke or for soda tasting parties. Stores like Candy Carrollton stock it alongside other bizarre flavors like bacon and sweet corn. If you’re a huge ranch fan who puts it on everything from pizza to fries, you might be curious enough to try this soda version. But be warned – even die-hard ranch lovers often find the soda version to be a step too far into ranch territory.
Turkey and gravy soda actually exists
If you thought bacon soda was strange, wait until you hear about turkey and gravy soda. This Thanksgiving-inspired drink actually tries to capture the essence of roast turkey and savory gravy in carbonated form. It was first released as part of Jones Soda’s holiday pack, which included other festive flavors like mashed potato and cranberry. The soda has a brownish color similar to actual gravy and smells surprisingly like turkey dinner. Most people who’ve tried it say the flavor is shockingly accurate – you can taste both the meaty turkey notes and the savory, slightly peppery gravy.
As you might expect, turkey and gravy soda isn’t a commercial success in the traditional sense. It’s more of a conversation starter and a dare than a refreshing beverage. Jones Soda has become known for these limited edition weird flavors that push the boundaries of what soda can be. They’ve also created sodas that taste like Brussels sprouts, salmon, and green bean casserole. While these aren’t meant to replace your regular soda, they make great gifts for the person who thinks they’ve tried everything.
Sweet corn soda brings farm flavors to your glass
Sweet corn soda attempts to bottle the taste of summer corn on the cob in a sugary, fizzy form. The flavor is exactly what it sounds like – sweet corn. It actually contains real corn extract or flavoring, giving it an authentic corn taste that’s both strange and somewhat familiar. The soda is a yellowish color, similar to cream soda but with a slight corn hue. When you first sip it, you might notice a buttery sweetness followed by the distinct flavor of corn, creating an experience that’s like drinking liquid corn candy.
Like many novelty sodas, sweet corn soda isn’t something you’d likely drink regularly. It’s more of a curiosity that people try once for the experience. Some people are surprised to find they actually enjoy it, especially those who already like corn-based snacks like corn chips or corn nuts. Sweet corn soda can be found in specialty candy shops and novelty stores, often alongside other strange flavors. It makes for a fun addition to a summer barbecue where guests can try something completely different from their usual soda choices.
Pickle juice soda brings sour power
Pickle lovers, this one’s for you! Pickle juice soda combines the sour, briny flavor of pickles with the sweetness and fizz of soda. It’s typically a bright green color and smells exactly like opening a jar of dill pickles. The taste is a strange mix of sweet and sour with strong notes of dill and vinegar. Some brands make it more like a pickle-flavored soda, while others make it taste more like carbonated pickle juice. Either way, it’s definitely a unique drinking experience that divides people into love-it or hate-it camps.
What’s surprising is that pickle juice soda has gained a small but dedicated following. Athletes sometimes drink it because pickle juice is known to help with muscle cramps. Pregnant women who crave pickles might enjoy it too. You can find pickle soda at novelty candy stores or sometimes at fairs and festivals. Pickle juice soda is part of a larger trend of pickle-flavored products that has included everything from potato chips to ice cream. If you’re already a pickle enthusiast who drinks pickle juice straight from the jar, this might be your new favorite soda.
Black garlic soda has an unexpected flavor
Black garlic soda might sound like something created specifically to ward off vampires, but it’s a real soda flavor that people actually drink. Black garlic is regular garlic that’s been aged until it turns black, developing a sweet, balsamic-like flavor that’s less pungent than fresh garlic. The soda version attempts to capture this complex flavor in fizzy form. The result is a dark-colored soda with a unique taste that balances sweetness with umami notes and a hint of that familiar garlic flavor, though much milder than you might expect.
Believe it or not, black garlic soda isn’t just a gag gift or dare. In some Asian countries, garlic drinks are considered beneficial for health. The black garlic soda has a complex flavor profile that some compare to balsamic vinegar mixed with caramel and a hint of garlic. It’s not as overwhelming as you might imagine, and some food enthusiasts actually enjoy it, especially paired with certain foods. While you won’t likely find it at your local grocery store, specialty Asian markets and online retailers that sell unusual sodas sometimes carry it.
Calpico brings milk soda to the table
If you think mixing milk and soda sounds gross, you might be surprised to learn that milk-based sodas are quite popular in some parts of the world. Calpico (or Calpis) is a Japanese drink that’s essentially a carbonated milk soda. It’s made from fermented milk that’s been mixed with water and carbonated. The result is a creamy, slightly tangy soda that tastes a bit like a mild yogurt drink with bubbles. The original version is white and cloudy, though it also comes in various fruit flavors that add color and additional taste elements.
Unlike some of the more gimmicky sodas on this list, Calpico is a mainstream beverage in Japan and is gaining popularity worldwide. The fermentation process gives it a unique flavor that’s refreshing and not as strange as it might sound to Western palates. Many people compare it to a milder, fizzy version of kefir or a less sweet cream soda. It’s widely available in Asian grocery stores and some international sections of regular supermarkets. If you’re looking to try an unusual soda that’s actually consumed regularly by millions of people, Calpico offers a good entry point into the world of strange sodas.
Whether you’re brave enough to try turkey gravy soda or just curious about celery fizz, these strange sodas show how creative drink makers can be. While not all weird sodas will become your new favorites, they’re fun to try at parties or as conversation starters. And who knows? You might discover that pickle juice soda or milk-based Calpico actually hits the spot in ways you never expected. The world of strange sodas is always bubbling with surprises!
