Explore the Slice Soda rebrand—where nostalgic flavor meets modern packaging design. See how this iconic soda’s comeback blends retro charm with a fresh, health-forward look.

After a 15-year absence, Slice, the iconic soda from the ’80s and ’90s, returned to shelves in early 2025. Suja Life, which acquired the brand in mid-2024, led the relaunch with a refreshed recipe featuring gut-health ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, plus only 5 grams of sugar or less and no high-fructose corn syrup. For me, the comeback is personal. Slice was my father’s favorite. I can still picture him pulling that bright yellow can from our ice chest on vacations at the lake. Seeing it back now feels like flipping through an old family album, only the photos have been beautifully remastered.

But this isn’t just a comeback story about a beverage. It’s a rebranding exercise that blends nostalgia with modern design sensibilities, positioning Slice as both a familiar favorite and a forward-thinking player in today’s wellness-oriented beverage market.

Packaging Design That Pops

Design studio Zero Studios led the brand’s creative overhaul, delivering a visual identity that’s vibrant, confident, and instantly recognizable. The refreshed logo nods to the original wordmark while streamlining its forms for a cleaner, contemporary feel. Color plays a leading role, bold, juicy palettes tied directly to each flavor create a strong shelf presence in the market aisle. The typography leans geometric yet approachable, offering a subtle wink to the brand’s retro roots without feeling locked in the past. This is nostalgia that’s been edited for 2025 aka fewer visual frills, more focus on clarity and emotional connection.

The new can designs show a clear sense of order and simplicity. Each flavor gets its own saturated background color, accented with clean white type and minimal but impactful illustration. The effect? An uncluttered, modern aesthetic that still carries the fun, friendly energy people remember from Slice’s heyday. The brand platform “Grab a Bigger Slice of Life” comes alive in the packaging’s proportions and layout. Everything feels bold and full, from the enlarged wordmark to the confident use of negative space.

Designing for Memory and Discovery

One of the smartest moves in this rebrand is how it engages both longtime fans and first-time drinkers. For returning customers, there’s enough visual DNA from the original Slice to spark instant recognition. For new audiences, the design reads as a premium, better-for-you beverage with a playful personality—no prior nostalgia required.

Tactile Brand Moments

Slice’s rebrand isn’t confined to flat design. It’s carried through physical experiences. Retro-inspired vending machines stocked with $.50 cans appeared in Chicago, tapping into the joy of interaction. The brand even launched The Fizz FM, an AI-powered “radio station” streaming ’80s- and ’90s-style jingles. These activations turn the brand identity into a sensory experience—where you can hold it, see it, hear it, and taste it.

Final Thoughts

Slice’s return is a great example of how legacy brands can be revitalized without losing their soul. The design stays true to the brand’s roots while evolving its visual language to meet contemporary tastes. The result is packaging and branding that feel both timely and timeless—perfectly in tune with a product that’s equal parts nostalgia and innovation. For designers, it’s a reminder: the most effective rebrands don’t erase the past they renew it with intention.