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Like Slimer escaping from the Ghostbusters' containment unit, Ecto Cooler is back.
Rumors of the return of the much-anticipated citrus drink have filled the Internet for years. Thirst for the retro juice was further fueled when Coca-Cola filed a trademark for the beverage in November. A purported can of the resurrected drink was sold on eBay in February.
Now, Coca-Cola has confirmed Ecto Cooler is back from the big juice box in the sky and will be available for a limited time starting May 30 as a tie-in with the release of the movie reboot of "Ghostbusters."
"Hi-C Ecto Cooler fueled a pop culture phenomenon that is well remembered and beloved by fans to this day," Charles Torrey, an official with Coca-Cola North America, said in a release. "Sony Pictures was extremely enthusiastic about bringing it back for this special occasion, and the timing of the upcoming Ghostbusters film made this the exact right time."
Hi-C rebranded its Citrus Cooler beverage as Ecto Cooler in 1987 as a product tie-in with "The Real Ghostbusters" cartoon, which was based on the highly successful live-action movie. The drink was expected to last as long as the cartoon show, which was canceled in 1991. However, the drink continued to be sold under the Ecto Cooler name until 2001, according to Retro Junk.
Slimer was removed from the packaging in 1997. The drink was renamed Shoutin’ Orange Tangerine and Crazy Citrus Cooler before it was discontinued in 2006. The new version will be available in a 11.5-ounce cans as well as the traditional 6-ounce juice box.
"When we decided to re-launch Hi-C Ecto Cooler, we wanted to do more than bring back the nostalgic juice boxes everyone knows," Shannon Richmond, brand director, Minute Maid, Coca-Cola North America, said in a release. "We wanted to offer something new and fun to reward fans who passionately lobbied us to bring back their beloved brand."
Still can't wait to sip the sweet, citrus drink? Coca-Cola is offering a chance to win the drink before it can be purchased through a social media sweepstakes.
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