If you're familiar with the sugary concoction known as Surge, there's a good chance you've also scored highly on a "True '90s Kid" quiz on Facebook. Introduced in 1996, Surge was Coca-Cola's answer to Mountain Dew and all that Mountain Dew stood for.
Thick in the "extreme sports" culture of the mid-90s, Surge was created in spite of the fact that Mello Yello, a Mountain Dew competitor first introduced in 1979, was still part of the Coca Cola Co.'s caffeinated empire. A name like "Mello Yello," unfortunately, does not for an extreme-flavor experience make, and so it took a back seat to Surge.
Surge, with it's explosive logo, unnatural green coloring, and 51 mg of caffeine, rose to extraordinary popularity, but like all stars that burn too brightly, it burned out fast and was discontinued in 2001. As social media rose to prominence, so did campaigns to bring the drink back.
And now, it's back, and anyone with internet access can order up a case today. But after you slam a few cold ones before doing a gnar nosebone at the skatepark, don't forget to recycle those cans... to the extreme! Seth Macy is a freelance writer who does a podcast about '90s pop culture. Follow him on Twitter @sethmacy, and MyIGN at sethgmacy.