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Ashia Aubourg
My go-to lunch in high school was always cheese pizza paired with an ice-cold orange soda. There’s something about washing down a greasy slice with a crisp, citrusy drink that hits just right. While I’ve mostly ditched sugary beverages these days, I still get the occasional hankering for one. But here’s the thing—my taste buds have evolved over the years, and I can’t handle the overly cloying, syrupy versions anymore. Now, I’m all about refreshing pops packed with bright flavors. So, I decided to put a few to the test and see which ones actually fit the bill.
It’s also important to note that when I was in high school, there were only a few big brands dominating the orange soda scene. But today, if you stroll through a grocery store, you’ll spot a ton of options—from sugar-free varieties to ones claiming health benefits or made with different types of citrus. With so many choices, I grabbed a bunch and started tasting. Here’s my subjective ranking of which ones I’d recommend.
How I Chose the Orange Soda Brands
If I spotted an orange soda at any major grocery store or retailer, it went straight into my cart. I wanted to make sure the options I tried were easy to find, not some niche brand you can only get at specialty markets. When it came to labels, I kept an open mind. I stuck with the ones that clearly said "orange soda," but I also included mandarin-flavored, sugar-free, and even "orange-cream" varieties in the mix.
How I Tested the Orange Sodas
First, I tapped into my inner child to relive the happy feeling of cracking open a cold can of orange soda. Then, I combined that with my food journalism experience to carefully test each option, judging them based on taste and crispness. I gave higher marks to the ones that struck a good balance—not too sweet where I needed a sip of water to clear the sugar off my tongue, but bright enough to wake up my taste buds. I did a hidden, anonymous taste test for each soda so I wouldn’t be swayed by healthy labels or nostalgic brands. And to make sure I was tasting them at their best, I made sure every option was chilled before I sipped, too.
The Best Orange Sodas, Ranked
10th Place: Zevia Orange Soda
Ashia Aubourg
This pop from Zevia has a strong artificial, chemical taste. It didn’t have any of the bright, tangy notes you’d expect from an orange soda. While it had some fizz, it wasn’t enough compared to the other winners.
9th Place: Poppi Orange Soda
Ashia Aubourg
The only thing Poppi has going for it is its tangy flavor. It does have some citrusy notes, but overall, it was hard to get past the artificial and medicinal aftertaste. (We’ll stick to other favorite Poppi flavors instead.)
8th Place: Sunkist Orange Soda
Ashia Aubourg
During my anonymous taste test, the Sunkist one fell flat in both flavor and carbonation. It lacked any bright, citrusy notes, and while it had some bubbles, it was nowhere near as fizzy as my top-ranked choices.
7th Place: Trader Joe’s Sparkling Tangerine Orange Beverage
Ashia Aubourg
Sometimes, I’m not in the mood for an overly sweet soda, and this sparkling beverage from Trader Joe’s is ideal for those moments when I want an option that isn’t too cloying. It’s really refreshing with a nice fizzy profile. But if you prefer drinks with a sugary flavor, this might not be the best choice for you.
6th Place: Stewart's Orange n’ Cream Soda
Ashia Aubourg
If you’re a cream soda fan, you’ll appreciate this orange version from Stewart’s. It’s a little sweeter than the one from Polar, but the bright, citrusy flavors help balance it out. The carbonation is just right, making it equally refreshing.
5th Place: Crush Orange Soda
Ashia Aubourg
The can from Crush has a fruity flavor with sweet notes. There’s a hint of artificial taste, but it’s not overpowering (I promise it won’t make you put the drink down!). It’s just as bubbly as the other winners and a solid pick if you’re after an orange soda with those classic flavors.
4th Place: Polar Orange Cream Soda
Ashia Aubourg
This nostalgic orange cream soda, which has been around since the 1880s, doesn’t boast any cloying characteristics. The effervescence of this beverage shines through as well, helping to balance out the sweet notes from the creamy component of the drink.
3rd Place: Evolution Orange Squeeze Soda
Ashia Aubourg
This pre- and probiotic-focused so-called "healthy" soda really surprised me. It’s packed with citrus flavor that doesn’t taste artificial. The ingredient label lists apple, lemon, and orange juice, which explains its fresh, bright profiles. Plus, it’s nicely carbonated.
2nd Place: Jarritos Mandarin Soda
Ashia Aubourg
The mandarin-flavored Jarritos came pretty close to Fanta for the top spot. It’s just as delicious. When you think about the flavor of fresh-squeezed orange juice, it’s usually a bit tangy and sweet, and that’s exactly what this drink delivers. Plus, it has that satisfying bubbly kick that made me want to keep sipping.
1st Place Winner: Fanta Orange Soda
Ashia Aubourg
The jingle "Want a Fanta, don’t ya want a want a Fanta?" took up so much space in my brain back when that commercial first came out. This brand has been around since the 1940s, but today you can spot this pop at practically any grocer, retailer, and even the most rural gas stations, too.
Fanta is a legendary brand in the orange soda category, and it truly deserves its flowers. It delivers that perfect, crisp feeling I expect—refreshing and bursting with sweet citrus flavor. Compared to all of the other options, this one tasted the most balanced.
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