I discovered Rondo Citrus Soda in 1978 while on a trip to Sedona, Arizona. I don't know why, but I can still remember the soda machine that it was in...at the Quail Inn (it's now called the Baby Quail Inn). I was ten years old, and a fanatic of sour lemon flavor (kinda obvious considering my posting of Lemon Up shampoo). The trip to Sedona had a big impact on me...it was the first time that I had really traveled any significant distance from my home in southeastern Michigan. Sedona in the 70s was definitely still basking in the glory of the late 60s and early 70s. It hadn't become the Zen Mecca it is today. There were bikers galore, dusty roads, tucked-away galleries and genuine vibe. It was quite a small town still. It's kind of funny how extremely small, insignificant things can be remembered for a long time, tucked away deep in your brain somewhere. Hazy kid memories full of the colors of the 70s. I wonder, will kids today look back with that same sense of color spectrum — everything seeming to bask in glowing yellow and orange? Wow...now that's a ramble!
It really seems quite silly that I would remember buying a particular soda for the first time...or the machine that I would find it in. But with Rondo, I did. I remember being quite excited about it. There really weren't too many lemon sodas. Mello Yello was uncommon, and a little sweet for my taste. Mountain Dew wasn't tangy enough. So when I tasted Rondo for the first time, it was what I wanted. Sour—sour—sour!
Rondo — which was made by Schweppes — was branded as "The Thirst Crusher." Apparently it was far more popular in the southwest. I don't actually recall getting it back up in Michigan. It is a copy of an Australian soda called Solo, where it is still made. It was also tagged that, "it's lightly carbonated so you can slam it down!"
I discovered Rondo Citrus Soda in 1978 while on a trip to Sedona, Arizona. I don't know why, but I can still remember the soda machine that it was in...at the Quail Inn (it's now called the Baby Quail Inn). I was ten years old, and a fanatic of sour lemon flavor (kinda obvious considering my posting of Lemon Up shampoo). The trip to Sedona had a big impact on me...it was the first time that I had really traveled any significant distance from my home in southeastern Michigan. Sedona in the 70s was definitely still basking in the glory of the late 60s and early 70s. It hadn't become the Zen Mecca it is today. There were bikers galore, dusty roads, tucked-away galleries and genuine vibe. It was quite a small town still. It's kind of funny how extremely small, insignificant things can be remembered for a long time, tucked away deep in your brain somewhere. Hazy kid memories full of the colors of the 70s. I wonder, will kids today look back with that same sense of color spectrum — everything seeming to bask in glowing yellow and orange? Wow...now that's a ramble!
It really seems quite silly that I would remember buying a particular soda for the first time...or the machine that I would find it in. But with Rondo, I did. I remember being quite excited about it. There really weren't too many lemon sodas. Mello Yello was uncommon, and a little sweet for my taste. Mountain Dew wasn't tangy enough. So when I tasted Rondo for the first time, it was what I wanted. Sour—sour—sour!
Rondo — which was made by Schweppes — was branded as "The Thirst Crusher." Apparently it was far more popular in the southwest. I don't actually recall getting it back up in Michigan. It is a copy of an Australian soda called Solo, where it is still made. It was also tagged that, "it's lightly carbonated so you can slam it down!"
This soda was on a level all by itself bring it back
ReplyDeleteDamn Rondo was that original BOMB !!!! I'd KILL for one today! I remember slamming them down fast while recovering from trampoline boxing !!! LOL
ReplyDeleteDuring my HS football days, if we had an interception in practice (or any time for that matter), we yelled Rondo. We got a soda after practice.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in South Minneapolis..I loved the soda!.
ReplyDelete.I remember getting pulled over by a lake Nokimis park police officer in my car...he thought I was drinking a beer...I showed him it was a soda...the man never heard of Rondo! He told me that's a neighborhood in St.Paul!..
Which is it is!!
why dont they put rondo back in stores? I remember it as a kid and it was awesome
ReplyDeleteRight! Citrus is so IN right now, too! It would be a hit!
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