Minute Maid Ends Iconic Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate
Minute Maid frozen concentrate orange juice is on display at a grocery store in White Plains, N.Y. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Donald King)
Shoppers who grew up twisting open those silver tubes of slushy orange juice concentrate will soon be saying a nostalgic goodbye. Coca-Cola plans to phase out Minute Maid frozen juice concentrate in the U.S. and Canada, bringing an end to the freezer-aisle staple after nearly 80 years, according to NBC News.
The company says it is stepping away from the frozen can business as it focuses on beverages that better match today’s buying habits in what it calls a “strongly” growing juice market. In simpler terms, as the AP notes, many customers now prefer fresh juice.
The frozen products are set to be discontinued in the first quarter of 2026, with remaining supplies expected to stay on store shelves through about April. The decision has sparked both nostalgia and frustration online, with longtime fans mourning the loss of an inexpensive, versatile staple used for everything from party punch to margaritas. “NOOOOOO! This is my literal childhood,” one person wrote on Instagram.
Along with orange juice concentrate, other frozen varieties such as lemonade and limeade will also disappear from stores, People reports. However, shoppers looking for frozen concentrate still have options, as Tropicana’s versions remain available.
Frozen orange juice concentrate dates back to research in the 1940s that made orange juice easier to store and ship. The innovation helped launch the brand that became Minute Maid in 1946.
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