Nineties nostalgia rages on — this time, with the return of the original beer alternative. Zima, a clear malt beverage often steeped with Jolly Ranchers for additional flavor, launched in 1994 and was discontinued stateside in 2008. While Zima was lost to time, kept alive only in the collective nostalgia of Gen X’ers and early millennials, its progeny — Smirnoff Ice, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Twisted Tea — have remained a staple in summertime coolers, koozies and cup holders.
Chatter arose earlier this year that MillerCoors would be reissuing the citrusy-but-somehow-flavorless beverage; now, Zima is officially back in stores nationwide — but only through Labor Day.