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LIST OF CRYSTAL LIGHT FLAVORS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED
- Pure Energy Mixed Berry (2010-2023)
- Pure Energy Tropical Citrus (2010-2023)
- Pure Energy Strawberry Lemonade (2010-2023)
- Original Cherry (1984-Unknown)
- Original Orange (1984-Unknown)
- Original Grape (1984-Unknown)
- Original Peach Iced Tea (1980s-Unknown)
- Various Seasonal Blends (1990s-2010s)
PURE ENERGY MIXED BERRY
Discontinued: 2023
Pure Energy Mixed Berry was Crystal Light’s attempt to capture consumers who were looking to avoid artificial sweeteners. The company formulated this Crystal Light with sugar and stevia leaf extract. Ditching aspartame completely. They also targeted the fitness enthusiasts that sports drink brands had spent decades courting, with 115 milligrams of caffeine per packet. When Crystal Light discontinued the drink in 2023, let’s just say people were devastated.
PURE ENERGY TROPICAL CITRUS
Discontinued: 2023
Pure Energy Tropical Citrus was packed with a whopping 120 milligrams of caffeine through natural sweeteners rather than artificial alternatives. Crystal Light positioned this flavor as part of their Pure line, which launched in 2010 as “Pure Fitness” before rebranding in 2011. The tropical citrus blend appealed to consumers seeking energy without traditional energy drink ingredients, making its discontinuation particularly frustrating.
PURE ENERGY STRAWBERRY LEMONADE
Discontinued: 2023
Another Pure Line drink, Pure Energy Strawberry Lemonade, combined the tartness of traditional lemonade with strawberry flavoring and 120 milligrams of caffeine — caffeine without brewing anything, which was the same at-home convenience pitch that built Keurig’s machine business. This flavor proved more acidic than other Pure Energy versions. Some consumers noted in reviews that it was less palatable than the mixed berry or tropical citrus options. The flavor ended with all its Pure Energy siblings.
ORIGINAL CHERRY
Discontinued: Unknown
General Foods introduced Crystal Light nationally in April 1984. Original Cherry was one of Crystal Light’s five core flavors when the brand launched. The company selected cherry specifically because it ranked among Kool-Aid’s top-selling flavors. Crystal Light later reformulated or replaced this original cherry version with variants like Cherry Pomegranate.
ORIGINAL ORANGE
Discontinued: Unknown
Original Orange competed directly with Tang when Crystal Light launched in 1984. The flavor used aspartame as its primary sweetener, distinguishing it from sugar-based competitors. Crystal Light eventually reformulated this variety into what became known as “Classic Orange.”
ORIGINAL GRAPE
Discontinued: Unknown
Original Grape was also part of Crystal Light’s initial five-flavor lineup, chosen because grape consistently performed well in the powdered drink mix category. The flavor relied on artificial grape flavoring and aspartame to deliver sweetness without calories. Crystal Light later modified this formulation into “Concord Grape.”
ORIGINAL PEACH ICED TEA
Discontinued: Unknown
Original Peach Iced Tea marked Crystal Light’s early expansion into tea-based beverages during the 1980s. This version suffered from weak tea flavoring and an artificial peach taste that reviewers described as resembling “peach-flavored cigars.” Bottled rivals had better luck with the flavor — Snapple’s Summer Peach hung on until 2010.
VARIOUS SEASONAL BLENDS
Discontinued: 1990s-2010s (Various dates)
Various Seasonal Blends encompassed Crystal Light’s strategy of introducing limited-time flavors throughout different periods. These temporary offerings included tropical fruit combinations and holiday-themed varieties that appeared for specific seasons before disappearing. The company used these limited releases to test market response to new flavors without committing to permanent production, creating confusion among customers who couldn’t determine whether flavors were truly discontinued or simply out of season.
