Who says your favorite childhood flavors have to stay in the past? Today’s ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails and THC-infused beverages are tapping into the power of nostalgia, bringing back flavors like cherry cola, blue raspberry, and creamsicle—only this time, with a grown-up twist.
Why Nostalgia Sells
Nostalgia isn’t just a fleeting feeling; it’s a powerful purchasing driver. According to a 2024 Mintel report, 67% of consumers say nostalgic flavors make them feel comforted, while 52% are more likely to try a new product if it features a nostalgic flavor they remember from childhood.
Consumers are reaching for flavors that remind them of summer break, corner store treats, and carefree afternoons, seeking comfort and fun in every sip. When those familiar tastes are combined with the convenience of RTD cans or THC beverages, the result is a product that feels fresh while connecting to something deeply familiar.
The global RTD cocktail market is expected to reach $50 billion by 2030 (IWSR), while the U.S. cannabis beverage market is projected to grow at a 20.7% CAGR through 2030 (Headset)—making flavor differentiation critical for standing out in these rapidly growing categories.
10 Retro-Inspired Flavors for Modern RTD and Infused Beverages
Below are ten nostalgic flavors with supporting trend data to guide your next beverage launch.
1. Cherry Cola
Why it works: Cherry cola’s blend of sweet-tart fruit and warm cola notes pairs well with bourbon, rum, or THC seltzers.
Cherry > Buy Now | Cola > Buy Now
Support: Cola remains the #1 soda flavor in the U.S., while cherry consistently ranks in the top 5 fruit flavors for beverages (Nielsen, 2024).
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Vanilla adds a smooth, creamy sweetness that rounds out cherry cola’s tartness, creating a nostalgic “cherry cream soda” profile that’s familiar and indulgent.
- Black Cherry deepens the cherry notes while adding a richer, darker fruit dimension, giving cherry cola a layered, robust fruitiness without overpowering its cola backbone.
- Bourbon adds warm caramel, oak, and vanilla undertones that complement the cherry and cola flavors, creating a sophisticated, cocktail-inspired cherry cola profile.
- Lime brightens and sharpens cherry cola with a citrus lift, balancing the sweetness while adding a refreshing, crisp finish perfect for summer applications.
Why it works: Candy-like, electric blue color and sweet-tart flavor capture childhood nostalgia while providing vibrant Instagram appeal.
Support: Blue raspberry saw a 14% year-over-year increase in beverage product launches (Innova, 2024) due to demand in functional and fun beverages.
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Lemon adds bright, zesty citrus that balances blue raspberry’s candy-like sweetness, creating a refreshing, tart “blue raspberry lemonade” profile perfect for summer and hydration products.
- Watermelon brings a juicy, mellow sweetness that softens blue raspberry’s tang, creating a vibrant, candy-like fruit blend.
- Strawberry adds a familiar, sweet berry layer that complements blue raspberry’s tartness, creating a playful mixed berry profile that feels nostalgic and approachable.
- Green Apple enhances the tart, tangy qualities of blue raspberry while adding a crisp, bright fruit note, creating a sour-candy-inspired flavor that’s energizing and fun.
3. Creamsicle
Why it works: Evokes the memory of chasing the ice cream truck, but easily elevated with vodka, rum, or THC for adult formats.
Support: Orange creamsicle flavors are trending in hard seltzers, with “creamy citrus” noted among top nostalgia-driven flavors for 2025 (Datassential FLAVOR, 2025).
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Pineapple adds tropical brightness and tang that cuts through the creamsicle's sweetness, creating a vibrant, juicy “tropical creamsicle” beverage with a refreshing finish.
- Mango brings a smooth, lush fruitiness that complements creamsicle’s orange-vanilla notes, enhancing body and creating a rich, tropical creamsicle experience perfect for smoothies and RTDs.
- Coconut adds creamy, tropical undertones that deepen the vanilla notes in the creamsicle, delivering a beachy, indulgent “coconut creamsicle” profile for summer beverages.
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Blood Orange adds a sophisticated citrus depth with subtle berry notes, intensifying the orange in the creamsicle while adding a tart, vibrant layer ideal for elevating sparkling and functional beverages.
4. Root Beer
Why it works: Classic soda shop flavor that pairs with bourbon, whiskey, or THC beverages for a unique dessert-inspired sip.
Support: Root beer is resurging, with a 7% increase in craft RTD launches featuring the flavor in 2024 (SPINS).
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Vanilla enhances root beer’s creamy, spiced notes while adding a smooth, nostalgic creaminess, creating a “root beer float” vibe perfect for indulgent beverage applications.
- Caramel adds warm, buttery sweetness that deepens root beer’s rich spice profile, creating a comforting, dessert-like beverage experience.
- Cherry introduces a bright, fruity layer that complements root beer’s spiced base, creating a playful “cherry root beer” twist ideal for nostalgic or craft sodas.
- Maple brings a warm, earthy sweetness that aligns with root beer’s vanilla and spice notes, adding depth and a unique craft appeal to RTD beverages.
5. Grape Soda
Why it works: Bold, sweet grape flavor ties to childhood treats and slushies while standing out in RTD spirits and cannabis seltzers.
Grape > Buy Now
Support: Grape ranks in the top 10 nostalgic flavors consumers associate with fun and comfort (Mintel, 2024).
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Lemon-lime adds bright, citrusy freshness that cuts through grape soda’s sweetness, creating a crisp, zesty “grape citrus soda” perfect for summer RTDs and hydration drinks.
- Blueberry enhances the berry profile with a deeper, jammy note that complements grape’s candy-like sweetness, creating a layered, nostalgic berry soda experience.
- Strawberry adds a sweet, familiar berry lift that blends seamlessly with grape, creating a fun, approachable mixed berry soda ideal for family-friendly and nostalgic beverage lines.
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Tropical Fruit brings bright, juicy notes (like pineapple, mango, or passionfruit) that add a playful twist to grape soda, creating a vibrant “tropical grape” beverage with broad seasonal appeal.
6. Fruit Punch
Why it works: A bright, tropical medley of cherry, pineapple, and citrus notes, perfect for vodka or rum bases.
Support: Fruit punch has a high familiarity score (89%) and strong appeal among Gen Z and Millennials (Datassential, 2025).
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Pineapple adds juicy, tangy brightness that lifts fruit punch’s sweetness, creating a vibrant “tropical fruit punch” with a refreshing finish ideal for RTDs.
- Mango brings smooth, tropical richness that deepens fruit punch’s fruity notes, adding body and a lush, island-inspired feel to the beverage.
- Strawberry adds a sweet, familiar berry layer that enhances fruit punch’s red fruit notes, making it even more approachable and nostalgic for all-age beverage lines.
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Lemon adds a crisp, citrusy tang that balances fruit punch’s sweetness, creating a refreshing, thirst-quenching profile perfect for summer and hydration drinks.
7. Cotton Candy
Why it works: Sweet, carnival-inspired, and pairs with clear spirits or low-dose THC beverages to create playful, social drinks.
Support: Cotton candy is among the top 5 trending nostalgia flavors in functional beverages for 2025 (Flavorchem, 2025).
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Strawberry adds a sweet, fruity brightness that blends seamlessly with cotton candy’s nostalgic sweetness, creating a fun, approachable “strawberry cotton candy” beverage perfect for all ages.
- Bubblegum enhances the playful, candy-like profile of cotton candy while adding a layered, nostalgic twist, ideal for novelty RTDs and specialty sodas.
- Blue Raspberry brings a tart, vibrant edge that balances cotton candy’s sweetness, creating a colorful, carnival-inspired beverage that’s both fun and refreshing.
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Creamy Vanilla Cake adds a smooth, creamy undertone that rounds out cotton candy’s sweetness, creating an indulgent, dessert-like beverage experience reminiscent of melted cotton candy ice cream.
Why it works: Familiar smoothie shop favorite that consumers associate with comfort and approachability, especially in brunch RTD cocktails.
Support: Strawberry and banana individually rank in the top 3 fruit flavors for beverage launches globally (Innova, 2024).
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Pineapple adds bright, tangy acidity that lifts strawberry banana’s creamy sweetness, creating a refreshing “tropical smoothie” profile perfect for RTDs and hydration drinks.
- Coconut brings creamy, tropical depth that enhances banana’s smoothness while complementing strawberry’s sweetness, creating a beachy, indulgent “strawberry banana colada” vibe.
- Mango adds lush, tropical fruitiness that deepens strawberry banana’s flavor while boosting body, ideal for smoothie-style and wellness-focused beverages.
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Orange adds zesty, citrus brightness that balances the sweetness of strawberry banana, creating a vibrant, refreshing twist perfect for breakfast-inspired RTDs.
9. Watermelon
Why it works: A quintessential summer flavor with juicy, sweet freshness that pairs well with tequila, vodka, or THC seltzers.
Support: Watermelon saw a 22% increase in seasonal RTD launches in 2024 (Nielsen), indicating strong summer demand.
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Lemon adds bright, zesty acidity that lifts watermelon’s sweetness, creating a crisp, refreshing “watermelon lemonade” profile perfect for summer RTDs and hydration beverages.
- Lime brings a tart, citrusy kick that balances watermelon’s juicy sweetness, creating a vibrant, thirst-quenching profile ideal for sparkling waters and sports drinks.
- Strawberry adds a sweet, berry-forward note that complements watermelon’s freshness, creating a playful, juicy “strawberry watermelon” beverage with broad consumer appeal.
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Peach brings a mellow, juicy sweetness that deepens watermelon’s flavor while adding a soft, summery vibe, ideal for crafting smooth, easy-drinking RTDs.
10. Bubblegum
Why it works: Bold, playful, and unexpected in alcoholic or cannabis beverages, perfect for limited-edition fun launches.
Support: Bubblegum is rising in beverage innovation, appearing in “fun flavor” categories with growth in sugar-free and functional drink categories (Mintel, 2025).
Recommended Flavor Pairings:
- Cotton Candy enhances bubble gum’s nostalgic, sweet profile with an airy, carnival-like sugar note, creating a fun, playful beverage perfect for novelty RTDs.
- Strawberry adds a bright, fruity layer that complements bubble gum’s candy sweetness, creating a “strawberry bubble gum” beverage with broad, all-ages appeal.
- Blue Raspberry brings a tart, vibrant edge that balances bubble gum’s sweetness while adding a nostalgic twist.
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Grape adds a juicy, classic candy flavor that blends seamlessly with bubble gum, creating a “grape bubble gum” profile perfect for specialty sodas and youthful beverage lines.
Opportunities for Modern RTD and Infused Beverage Brands
- Crossover Appeal: Retro flavors attract Millennials and Gen Z who crave experiences tied to comfort and fun. In fact, 70% of Gen Z consumers report they actively seek products that remind them of their childhood (Datassential).
- Seasonal Launches: Summer is prime time for throwback flavors, but they can also shine in fall and winter limited releases for nostalgic indoor gatherings.
- Hybrid Flavor Innovation: Combine retro flavors with trending notes for a new spin on familiar tastes.
- Visual Branding: Bright, playful can designs paired with these flavors can reinforce the nostalgic feel while remaining premium.
A Flavor Future Rooted in the Past
As the RTD and infused beverage markets continue to expand, retro-inspired flavors are proving to be more than just a gimmick. They offer a comforting escape while meeting the demand for fun, flavorful, and convenient drink options.
Ready to bring nostalgia into your next beverage launch? Cherry cola, blue raspberry, and creamsicle might be your ticket to creating a can that consumers can’t wait to crack open.