7Up Retro

As far as mainstream lemon-lime sodas are concerned, I have always been somewhat partial to 7Up. There is just something about it that I have always really liked that I've never been able to completely identify. So I was pretty excited when I heard back in early 2011 that Dr Pepper/Seven Up was joining the bandwagon and releasing a limited edition run of 7Up with natural sugar. My excitement was somewhat short-lived, however, as I was never actually able to find the stuff in my area until I came across some surplus cases at a local Big Lots a few weeks ago.  From what I understand, 7Up Retro is not currently being produced at the time of this writing, but may be released again in the future, depending on how well the limited edition (i.e. market test) run performed. 

I have one criticism about 7Up Retro that I feel needs to be addressed right up front. It's difficult to express effectively with words, so I'll just include another picture of the other side of the can.

Just a tip: if you are trying to promote a retro feel for your beverage, it is probably best to avoid slapping a giant logo for a very modern reality show on the side of the can. I know that the drink was introduced on the 2011 season of Celebrity Apprentice and all, but it really just sort of ruins the motif.

Anyway, on to the taste. Overall, 7Up Retro really isn't all that different from it's high fructose corn syrup counterpart. The taste is relatively similar, although it does have a slightly drier sweetness to it, much like most drinks sweetened with natural sugar. It still has that same tasty flavor and level of carbonation as regular 7Up, but ultimately the differences really aren't worth the effort that it would take to track down one of these now. If Dr. Pepper/Seven Up ever decides to do another run of 7Up Retro, it's definitely worth a try, but for now just save yourself some time and stick with what's readily available.

Verdict: Worth a try

Purchased: Big Lots [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 12 fl. oz. [355mL]

Price: $2.80 [6 pack, discounted]