Gatorade Is Bringing Back a Fan-Favorite Flavor From the ’80s

In a world obsessed with new product announcements, it’s sometimes amazing to see just how excited fans get about retro products. We see it happen in fashion, with trends constantly making a return; home decor, hello Ralph Lauren Christmas; and, of course, food. We’ll never forget the power of the McDonald’s Snack Wrap’s return.

Today, it doesn’t matter how many new Lay’s potato chips, Oreo cookies, or Keebler treats hit shelves, fans will always beg for their discontinued favorites to return—and it seems Gatorade lovers are no different.

The thirst-quenching brand has rolled out quite a few new products and flavors this year, from Gatorade Flavor Mashups to Circle K’s exclusive Summer Blaze. Yet, fans might have been most excited about its returning offerings, like the Aqua Blast Thirst Quencher and the announcement that Midnight Ice and Lightning Blast would be added to the permanent line.

Now, fans have found themselves extra excited as Gatorade has announced it is bringing back a Thirst Quencher from the ’80s that fans call the “best flavor of all time.” Gatorade is bringing back its Citrus Cooler flavor—but that’s not all. The entire brand is headed into the Upside Down for the “Stranger Things” series finale, too.

Gatorade Brings Back Citrus Cooler Thirst Quencher

Netflix’s hit show, “Stranger Things,” is coming to an end this holiday season, and that means brands only have a few short months to cash in on one of the streamer’s biggest shows of all time. We’ve already seen brands like Eggo, Dash, Chips Ahoy!, and Doritos join Eleven and the crew in the Upside Down. Now, Gatorade is using the show’s final season as an excuse to throw it back to the ‘80s, which is when “Stranger Things” is set.

Gatorade is bringing back its Citrus Cooler flavor with new “Stranger Things”-inspired packaging. Each 1987 Limited Edition bottle features one of the “Stranger Things” kids, including Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin, with a special illustration and profile of the Demogorgon-fighting heroes. 

Plus, you’ll find one extra-special Upside Down version of the Gatorade flavor, complete with upside-down lettering and a spooky design.

The limited-edition “Stranger Things” Gatorade Citrus Cooler bottles are rolling out to retailers nationwide now, where they’ll be sold as individuals for a limited time—likely through the end of the year since the “Stranger Things” final series is airing in three separate parts, culminating in an in-home and theatrical release of the finale on Dec. 31.

Fans are, naturally, excited to see this discontinued flavor back on shelves. 

“They should make it a permanent addition,” one Instagram user wrote.

“Wish that flavor was sold in the 12-pack bottles,” commented a Redditor.

You’ll certainly find us braving the Upside Down for these bottles because maybe hydration is the simple key to taking down Vecna.