Imagine: It’s the late ‘90s. The Spice Girls are telling us what we want (what we really, really want), Tamagotchis are ruining our sleep schedules, and you’re wearing your best bucket hat while listening to Savage Garden on your Walkman. Life is good. Then, out of nowhere, a drink enters the chat. A drink that is part beverage, part lava lamp, and 100% unforgettable. That drink was Orbitz.
If you’re thinking, “Oh yeah, I remember Orbitz,” congrats, you’re part of a select group who survived this carbonated fever dream. If you’re thinking, “What the heck is Orbitz?”—buckle up, because we’re about to take you on a journey.
What Was Orbitz?
Orbitz wasn’t just a drink; it was a vibe. Launched in 1997 by Clearly Canadian (shoutout to our maple syrup-loving cousins), this beverage was marketed as a "texturally enhanced alternative beverage." Translation? It was clear liquid with floating, colorful balls suspended in the bottle. No, they weren’t carbonated bubbles. They were edible gelatin spheres, and they defied the laws of physics by just... hanging out there. Not sinking. Not floating. Just vibing.
The drink came in flavors like Raspberry Citrus, Pineapple Banana Cherry Coconut (because why choose one flavor when you can have all four?), and Vanilla Orange, which sounds like the drink equivalent of a creamsicle that’s been to Coachella.
A Drink Ahead of Its Time (Or Totally Out of Time?)
Orbitz was supposed to be the drink of the future. Its slogan literally said, “The Drink with a Different Orbit,” and it promised a multi-sensory experience. But here’s the thing about the future: sometimes it’s not ready for you, and sometimes you’re not ready for it. People loved the look of Orbitz. (It was basically the OG Instagram aesthetic before Instagram existed.) But the taste? Let’s just say it was... divisive. Imagine drinking vaguely fruity cough syrup while your brain tried to process the texture of the floating spheres. Yum?
The End of an Era (and the Start of a Cult Following)
Orbitz’s time in the sun was short-lived. By 1998, it had been discontinued, leaving behind a trail of confused taste buds and nostalgic memories. But like all good pop culture oddities, it didn’t just disappear. No, Orbitz became a legend. Today, unopened bottles are coveted collector’s items. (If you have one, congrats, you’re sitting on a fizzy gold mine. Just don’t drink it. Seriously, don’t.)
Why We’ll Never Forget It
Orbitz might not have been the most delicious drink, but it captured the spirit of the ‘90s in a way few other products could. It was weird, colorful, experimental, and unapologetically itself. It didn’t care if you didn’t like it. It was the drink equivalent of that one artsy friend who wears mismatched socks and talks about "vibes" before it was cool. And honestly? We need more of that energy in the world.
So here’s to Orbitz, the drink that dared to be different. Whether you loved it, hated it, or just stared at it in mild confusion, it’s proof that sometimes, the weirdest ideas are the ones that stick with us the longest. Now, excuse us while we go listen to Aqua’s "Barbie Girl" and wonder what other fever dreams the ’90s had in store.
