If you grew up in the 1990s, chances are you remember the excitement around Crystal Pepsi — the clear, caffeine-free drink that looked like water but promised the taste of your favorite soft drink. Knowing where to buy Crystal Pepsi today is a different challenge entirely, because this iconic beverage has been discontinued for years. PepsiCo has brought it back for brief limited runs, but as of 2026, it is not in regular production. This guide covers the full history of this clear soda, where you might still track down a bottle, and the best alternatives if you cannot find the original.
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What Is Crystal Pepsi and Why Does It Still Have a Following?
Crystal Pepsi is a clear, caffeine-free soft drink that PepsiCo first launched in 1992. It was marketed as a purer, healthier alternative to traditional dark colas during the early ’90s “clear craze,” when consumers associated transparent products with natural and clean ingredients. Unlike Sprite or 7 Up, it was designed to taste like a traditional dark carbonated drink rather than a lemon-lime beverage. The drink used carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, and natural flavor without the caramel coloring found in regular Pepsi. Despite a splashy Super Bowl commercial and strong initial sales, PepsiCo pulled it from shelves within about two years. Since then, it has developed a devoted cult following among nostalgia enthusiasts and collectors who remember the product from their childhood.
What to Look For When Buying Crystal Pepsi Today
Expiration date. Because this product has not been manufactured regularly in years, any bottle you find may be well past its shelf-life. Check the date code stamped on the bottle. Expired soda loses its carbonation and flavor, and in extreme cases the contents can change color or develop off-flavors. Collectors may not care, but anyone planning to drink it should verify freshness.
Bottle condition. Sealed, unopened bottles in good condition command the highest prices on resale platforms like eBay. Look for intact cap seals with no evidence of leaking. Dented or damaged bottles are less desirable for collectors and riskier for consumption.
Seller reputation. On marketplaces, check the seller’s feedback rating and return policy. Some listings feature original 1990s bottles that are purely for display — these are not safe to drink. Others feature bottles from the 2016 or 2022 limited re-releases, which are more recent but may still be expired.
Authentic versus homemade. A few DIY recipes circulate online claiming to replicate the flavor at home. These are not the same product. If you want the real thing, only buy factory-sealed bottles from verifiable sources.
Price expectations. Retail prices during limited re-releases ranged from about three to five dollars per 20-ounce bottle. On the secondary market, prices range from ten dollars for a single bottle to well over one hundred dollars for sealed cases or original 1990s memorabilia.
What to Avoid When Buying Crystal Pepsi
Drinking expired bottles. Soda that is years past its date can taste flat, develop unusual odors, or even grow mold around the cap seal. This is a soft drink, not a vintage wine — it does not improve with age. Buy expired bottles only for your collection shelf, not your refrigerator.
Overpaying for common re-release bottles. The 2016 and 2022 limited comebacks produced a large number of bottles. Some sellers price these as if they were rare 1993 originals. Check the label design and date code to confirm which era the bottle is from before paying a premium.
Counterfeit or refilled bottles. On rare occasions, unscrupulous sellers refill original bottles with another clear beverage and reseal them. Buy only from sellers with strong track records and documented product photos.
Confusing it with Tab Clear. Coca-Cola launched Tab Clear around the same time as a competing transparent soft drink. They are completely different products from rival companies. Tab Clear was a diet drink with a noticeably different formula. Do not assume one tastes like the other.
Where to Buy Crystal Pepsi In Store
Because this beverage is discontinued, finding it on store shelves in 2026 is extremely unlikely. During past limited re-releases, certain retailers did carry it briefly. Here is what to know about each.
Walmart
Walmart stocked this transparent beverage during the 2016 and 2022 comebacks in the beverage aisle alongside other PepsiCo products. As of now, it is no longer listed in their inventory. If another limited run is announced, Walmart would likely be among the first major chains to carry it. Check their website for any future availability.
Target
Target carried this clear beverage during previous re-releases as well. The soft drink section near checkout or the dedicated beverage aisle is where it would appear. Like Walmart, Target does not currently stock it, but it is worth checking periodically if PepsiCo announces a new comeback.
Walgreens and Other Drugstores
Walgreens and similar pharmacy chains occasionally carried this beverage during limited releases. The cold drink cooler near the register was the most common placement. Availability was inconsistent even during active production runs, so calling ahead was always the best strategy.
Tip: If PepsiCo announces another limited comeback, stock appears in stores quickly and sells out fast. Follow PepsiCo social media channels for the earliest announcements, then call your local stores before making the trip.
Where to Buy Crystal Pepsi Online
Online marketplaces are currently the most reliable way to find this discontinued product. Expect to pay a significant premium over the original retail price.
eBay
eBay remains the largest marketplace for this collectible beverage. You can find listings ranging from single bottles to full cases, including both re-release bottles and original 1990s collectibles. Prices vary widely — a single 20-ounce bottle from a recent limited run might sell for ten to twenty dollars, while sealed original bottles from 1992 or 1993 can fetch fifty dollars or more. Always check seller ratings and read the listing description carefully to confirm whether the item is intended for drinking or display only.
Specialty Soda Retailers
Online shops that specialize in rare, vintage, and imported sodas occasionally stock this discontinued drink when supply is available. Retailers like Soda Emporium and similar niche beverage shops have carried it during past re-releases at prices around three to five dollars per bottle plus shipping. Inventory at these smaller retailers is unpredictable, so check back regularly or sign up for stock alerts if the site offers them.
Instacart and Grocery Delivery
During active production runs, services like Instacart listed this beverage for delivery or pickup from participating local grocery stores. This is not an option while the product is out of production, but it is worth bookmarking for any future limited release when local stores restock.
Top Picks: Best Alternatives to Crystal Pepsi
Since finding the original on shelves is not realistic right now, these currently available beverages are the closest substitutes for that clear carbonated experience.
Best nostalgia match: Clearly Canadian Sparkling Water. Another iconic ’90s clear beverage that actually made a successful comeback. It is a flavored sparkling water rather than a carbonated drink, but it scratches the same nostalgia itch. Around four to six dollars per bottle.
Best cola alternative: Pepsi Zero Sugar. While not clear, this is the closest thing in the current PepsiCo lineup to the original flavor profile. It is sugar-free, widely available, and priced around five to eight dollars for a 12-pack.
Best caffeine-free option: Caffeine-Free Pepsi. The original was caffeine-free, which was part of its appeal. This version delivers the familiar taste without the caffeine, though it is not clear in color. Around six to nine dollars per 12-pack.
Best budget clear soda: Starry (formerly Sierra Mist). PepsiCo’s lemon-lime offering is clear and refreshing. It does not have that dark-soda flavor, but if the appeal of the clear look is what you are after, Starry delivers at standard prices of around five to seven dollars per 12-pack.
Best for collectors: Original memorabilia on Amazon. If you want the real bottle for display rather than drinking, search Amazon or eBay for sealed original or re-release bottles. Prices range from fifteen to over one hundred dollars depending on condition and era.
The Rise and Fall of Crystal Pepsi
Understanding why this product disappeared helps explain why finding it today is so difficult. In the early 1990s, a “clear craze” swept the consumer goods market. Brands rushed to create transparent versions of everyday products, from dish soap to soft drinks. PepsiCo’s chief marketing officer Sergio Zyman and product developer David Novak saw an opportunity to capitalize on the trend with a transparent version of their flagship drink.
The launch was massive. A Super Bowl commercial in 1993 featuring Van Halen’s “Right Now” introduced the drink to millions. Early test market results were promising, and initial sales were strong. But the excitement faded fast. Consumers felt the taste was slightly less sweet than regular Pepsi, and the disconnect between what it looked like and what it tasted like confused many buyers. Coca-Cola also launched Tab Clear as a deliberate kamikaze product — a strategy some marketing experts believe was designed to drag the entire clear beverage category down rather than compete within it.
Within about six months of its national rollout, sales had dropped sharply. PepsiCo pulled the drink from shelves by 1994. It became one of the most famous product failures in beverage history — though many fans would argue the product itself was not bad, just poorly positioned and badly timed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crystal Pepsi still available?
Not in regular production. PepsiCo has brought it back for brief limited runs in 2016, 2017, and 2022, but it is not currently being manufactured or sold in stores. Your best bet for finding a bottle today is eBay or specialty soda retailers that may have remaining stock from past re-releases.
Why did Crystal Pepsi fail?
Several factors contributed. The taste was slightly different from regular Pepsi, which confused consumers who expected an identical flavor in a clear package. Coca-Cola’s launch of Tab Clear diluted the clear soda market. And the broader “clear craze” of the early ’90s faded quickly, taking consumer interest with it. Despite strong initial sales, the product could not sustain momentum.
Did Crystal Pepsi taste like regular Pepsi?
It was close, but not identical. Most people who tried both describe it as slightly less sweet and a bit lighter in flavor compared to classic Pepsi. The absence of caramel coloring also subtly affected the flavor profile, since some of the ingredients that give dark soda its color also contribute to its taste.
Does Crystal Pepsi have caffeine?
The original 1992 formula was caffeine-free, which was part of its marketing appeal as a “purer” beverage. Some later re-release versions contained caffeine. Check the nutrition facts label on any bottle you find to confirm the specific formulation.
Will Crystal Pepsi ever come back again?
It is possible. PepsiCo has shown willingness to bring it back for limited promotional runs, and consumer demand on social media remains strong. David Novak, one of the original product developers, has publicly supported bringing it back. However, there has been no official announcement of another re-release as of early 2026.
How much is a bottle of Crystal Pepsi worth?
Prices vary widely based on condition and era. A 20-ounce bottle from a recent limited re-release typically sells for ten to twenty-five dollars on eBay. Original sealed bottles from the 1990s can sell for fifty dollars or more. Opened or damaged bottles have very little resale value unless they are part of a larger memorabilia collection.
Reviewed by the wheretobuyguides.com editorial team. Last updated: March 2026.
Whether you are a collector hunting for an original bottle or just curious about the transparent drink that took the ’90s by storm, finding Crystal Pepsi today takes patience and a willingness to search specialty markets. Keep an eye on PepsiCo announcements for the next potential comeback, and in the meantime, the alternatives listed above can satisfy your craving for something clear and refreshing.