Sour Punch: Decades of Delicious - Our Candy Timeline!

From Licorice Leftovers to Sour Superstars!

While Red Vines were being perfected in California, a small but fearless crew in Chicago set out to do something different. They retooled the licorice process, layered in bold sour flavor, and crafted a candy that challenged the status quo. That hands-on experimentation gave rise to Sour Punch...

and over the years, to fun, playful Punchies that have delighted fans throughout the ages.

Punchies throughout the ages

1990: Straws That Shocked the Nation!

In 1990, we crafted our first Sour Punch Straws—boldly sour, bursting with fruit flavor, and unlike anything else on the shelf. Fans soon embraced those iconic two-ounce trays, and decades later, we’re still making them in La Porte, Indiana. A classic, crafted to last.

Sour Punch Straws 1990 packaging

2004: Bite-Sized Punch!

We went BIG by going mini! In September 2014, we unleased our Share Size Assorted Bites - tiny, tangy flavor bombs ready to ride shotgun in every backpack, lunchbox, glove compartment. Then March 2015 rolled up like, "Hold my sour dust", and the new snack size bags dropped! More bites, more flavors, more excuses to snack... not that you needed one.

Assorted Sour Punch Bites with sour sugar coating

more in 04: Neon Ropes

In 2004, Sour Punch stretched the fun even further with the launch of Sour Punch Ropes. Long, twisty, and packed with bold sour flavor, these ropes came in Berry-Banana and Strawberry-Banana, letting fans savor the tangy goodness bite by bite—or all at once if they dared. Individually wrapped for maximum fun, they turned every snack moment into a playful, chewy adventure.

Sour Punch Neon Punch Candy Ropes

even more in 04: Twisting Things Up!

We set out to create a candy that delivered big sour punch in every bite—no straw required. Perfectly twisted, individually wrapped, and packed with flavor, Sour Punch Twists launched in 2004 and quickly became a fan favorite.

Sour Punch individually wrapped Twists in a variety of colors

2005: Sip-N-Chew Straw Shenanigans!

In 2005 we whipped up a giant candy straw that was as wild to munch as it was to sip through! The Sour Punch Sip N' Chew Straw turned every icy drink into a twisty, tangy, tongue-tingling adventure. Sweet, sour, and totally slurp-worthy, it made every sip a mini candy explosion!

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2006: Logo Makeover!

In 2006, new logo, new look! We said goodbye to the old thick font inside a cloud bubble and amped things up! The new logo made 'PUNCH' the star, with a dynamic explosion behind it that shouted fun, energy, and pure candy chaos. BAM! The Sour Punch attitude was cranked to eleven!

Sour Punch 2006 logo

2010: Logo Lightning Strike!

Fast forward to 2010, and we sharpened things up! The new logo hit you with lightning bolt energy and edgy lines, turning up the punch factor to MAXIMUM. Style? BOLDER! SHARPER! You feel us?

Sour Punch 2010 logo

2012: Punchies - The Legend of the Lost Candy!

Punchies! Soft, chewy, crunchy balls of awesome! Okay, they're gone now (sad face). But guess what? We're plotting their comeback. Maybe. Upper management? Production?... Someone make it happen!?

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2017: Shape-Shifting Sourness!

We got SHAPES! Narwhals? Hearts? Bats? Why not! We finally got the gear to mold our treats into awesome shapes. Turns out, playing with candy is super fun. And who knew half trees were a thing?

Hearts, trees, bats, pumpkins, and narwal Sour Punch Shapes candy

2018: The Ultimate Design Remix!

We did it AGAIN! This time, we took all our favorite bits and mashed them into the awesome logo and packaging you see today. It's like a flavor symphony for your eyes, right?

2018 - Current Sour Punch Logo

2023: Pickle Roulette

In 2023, we launched Pickle Roulette on April Fools’ Day, teasing fans into thinking it might be a joke—until they took a bite. The bold, pickle-inspired sour was no prank, turning surprise into a full-on flavor moment.

Pickle Roulette Straws Tray

2024: Gummy Goodness Galore!

In 2024 we finally jumped on the gummy train with Sour Punch Gummies, and boy, did we do it right! Punchie faces and lightning bolts? Yup, we turned them into the most delicious gummies EVER!

Sour Punch Assorted Gummies Bag

2025: Filled Straws - A Feat of Flavor!

Sour Punch Straws but Filled Straws! Look, filling straws is HARD! And we did it! Because flavor innovation is our middle name! Or something like that.

Sour Punch Filled Straws Pouches in two flavors

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