Minute Maid, the Coca-Cola-owned brand that pioneered frozen concentrated orange juice in the U.S. nearly eight decades ago, will discontinue its frozen products in early 2026 as consumer demand shifts toward ready-to-drink options and away from concentrates.
The decision affects all the lineup’s flavors, including orange juice, lemonade, limeade, pink lemonade, and raspberry lemonade, which have been freezer staples since 1946.
A spokesperson for the Coca-Cola Company confirmed the move, citing broader changes in how Americans consume beverages.
“We are discontinuing our frozen products and exiting the frozen can category in response to shifting consumer preferences,” the spokesperson said, People magazine reported. “With the juice category growing strongly, we’re focusing on products that better match what our consumers want.”
Frozen items will be phased out in the first quarter of 2026, with in-store inventory available while supplies last, the representative added.
Demand for frozen concentrated orange juice has fallen to an all-time low, pressured by the rising popularity of smoothies and energy drinks. The shift mirrors Coca-Cola’s broader strategy, including a focus on zero-sugar beverages and premium offerings such as Fairlife milk, amid a volatile market.
The company has faced challenges, including a tougher regulatory environment for packaged foods in the U.S., where low-calorie product demand has weighed on sales of its trademark Coke. Abroad, a preference for local products has affected markets such as India and China.
Minute Maid’s roots trace to 1945, when the company — then Florida Foods Corporation — secured a U.S. Army contract for 500,000 pounds of powdered orange juice. The war ended before the shipment, prompting a pivot. In 1946, it was renamed Vacuum Foods Corporation and introduced the nation’s first frozen concentrated orange juice under the Minute Maid name.
The discontinuation has sparked nostalgia among fans. When food blogger Markie Devo shared the news on Instagram, commenters lamented the loss.
“NOOOOOO! This is my literal childhood,” a commenter posted.
“Awe man i grew up on these… my mom loved them… she kept some stocked in the deep freezer,” added another poster.
“I used to eat the frozen orange juice out of the can,” a third reminisced.
Coca-Cola said the exit from frozen products extends to the U.S. and Canada markets. The company is also introducing a cane sugar version of its soda in glass bottles in the U.S. as part of efforts to adapt to evolving tastes.
