14 Best Sour Patch Kids Flavors Ranked in 2025
Some Sour Patch Kids flavors bring a burst of nostalgia and others hit kids and adults alike with a bold, sour, sweet and unapologetically fun taste. Since their debut, these mischievous little treats have evolved from a simple “sour-then-sweet” candy to a flavor-packed franchise with a cult following.
Everyone has their own opinions on the best Sour Patch Kids flavors, from purists who swear by red to adventurers diving into mystery bags blind.
To make finding the top flavors easier, this roundup ranks the best Sour Patch Kids flavors currently available. Some offer a perfect punch of pucker, while other Sour Patch Kids flavors surprise candy enthusiasts with layered fruit notes that taste gourmet.
These are the stand-outs, the Sour Patch flavors worth the mouth-zinging, lip-smacking ride.
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How We Ranked These Sour Patch Kids Flavors
For this ranking of the top Sour Patch Kids flavors, we went beyond the bag to find out what’s really worth the sugar rush. Our team started by digging into fan-favorite rankings from Reddit, TikTok and candy forums, as well as scouring product reviews from Amazon and Target.
We looked at limited releases, seasonal drops and staple Sour Patch flavors to get a complete picture of what’s out there. We also read manufacturer descriptions and candy trend reports to understand how Sour Patch Kid flavor profiles have evolved in recent years.
Then came the tasting. We considered balance, sourness intensity and how each variety appeals to our taste buds — factors rooted in how we perceive sweet and sour flavors on a chemical level (as explained further via a report by University of Southern California researchers).
Each flavor was finally evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Boldness and balance of flavor.
- Sour-to-sweet ratio.
- Popularity and cult following.
- Innovation or uniqueness.
Our goal was to include something for every type of Sour Patch eater, and this Sour Patch Kids ranker was the ultimate guide that resulted from our research: your sour-sweet cheat sheet, if you will.
The 14 Best Sour Patch Kids Ranked
14. Grape
Grape brings a mellow twist to this candy’s flavor lineup. It’s sweet and easygoing, great for fans who prefer flavor over pucker. While it doesn’t pack quite the same bold punch as some of the other flavors, it still delivers a smooth grape finish that’s hard not to enjoy.
That said, in a flavor lineup known for sour intensity and vibrant fruitiness, grape leans a little too subtle, which is why it lands at the end of our list.
13. Lemon
Lemon zings with fresh citrus brightness and a crisp, clean finish. While it doesn’t match the intense sour-sweet rollercoaster of the top flavors, it offers a refreshing alternative that’s lighter and easier on the palate.
Its refreshing tang brings balance to the pack, but its more restrained sour punch keeps it just shy of the favorites. If you’re looking for something vibrant yet subtle, lemon is a charming choice toward the back of the list.
12. Lime
Lime blends sharp sourness with refreshing citrus freshness, delivering a crisp zip right off the bat. Its zestier profile makes it a more exciting Sour Patch Kids flavor than some. This tanginess also means that Lime is one of the best gas station snacks to wake you up. However, it definitely isn't a crowd favorite.
11. Orange
Bright and tangy, the orange Sour Patch Kids flavor tastes like sunshine in candy form. It brings a cheerful citrus burst that balances sweetness and slight sourness.
Unlike more intense flavors, orange keeps things light and nostalgic, evoking memories of orangeade on summer afternoons. However, it doesn’t deliver the sharp punch that pushes other Sour Patch Kids flavors higher. Still, its mellow charm and universal appeal make it a solid mid-pack contender.
10. Strawberry
This specialty Sour Patch Kids flavor nails sweet and fruity, conjuring fresh-picked strawberries without overwhelming sour heat. It’s smooth and accessible: an easy favorite for any crowd.
Though strawberry doesn’t offer the complex zing of layered flavors, it’s consistent and approachable and perfect for spring, especially if you’re looking for a slightly different but still on-theme Easter candy.
Think of it as the dependable friend in the Sour Patch Kid flavor crew — always good, never flashy, yet reliable and satisfying.
9. Lemonade
Lemonade offers a clever twist on citrus, delivering both sour spark and sweet refreshment. It mimics the real drink, complete with that balanced tang and syrupy sweetness.
Though it lacks the intensity of pure Sour Patch Kids flavors, its nuanced profile makes it fun and versatile. Lemonade works well when you want something bright without the pucker-overload, placing it just ahead of basic lemon.
As there are other Lemonade flavors featured on this list, it’s important to note that currently, you can’t currently buy these individually, unlike some others on this list. However, ranking them still gives you a good guideline for whether you want to try a whole bag and which of the four Lemonade Fest Sour Patch Kids flavors you’ll be hoping to get the most of!
8. Cherry
Cherry delivers nostalgic sweetness with a touch of tart to keep it interesting. Think classic cherry soda in candy form: fun and flavorful. It may not have the bold sour flair of lime or watermelon, but its ripe fruitiness and balanced finish make it a compelling Sour Patch Kids flavor. Its comforting sweetness earns it a solid middle-of-the-pack placement.
7. Cherry Lime Lemonade
Now we’re talking clever mashups: this Sour Patch Kids flavor blends tart cherry, lime and lemonade sweetness into a vibrant trio. Each bite is layered — one moment fruity, the next tangy, then smooth. It disrupts the monotony of single fruits, offering a mini Sour Patch Kids flavor journey in every chew. That dynamic complexity pushes it into the top half of our list.
6. Pineapple
Pineapple brings tropical flair to the Sour Patch Kids flavor lineup: juicy, bold and a bit exotic. With its sweet-acidic juiciness, it stands apart from the standard Sour Patch Kids flavors. That said, this one isn't overly sour, if that's what you're after. Still, its island-vibe flavor earns it a sweet spot near the top five.
5. Peach
Peach quietly makes its case with soft sweetness and subtle sour hints. Its mellow flavor is like biting into ripe orchard fruit, but with candy energy.
Less aggressive than the standard Sour Patch Kids flavors, peach offers a calmer, more nuanced taste that resonates with fans chasing gentle fruit flavor. It’s refined, not flashy, but confidently delicious.
4. Strawberry Lemonade
This combo masterfully balances fruity sweetness with citrus sourness — better than its standalone parts. It gives you a taste of summer in a chew, with lively tang and smooth Sour Patch Kids flavor. Slightly bolder than lemonade alone, it’s a perfect blend of familiar tastes turned fresh and fun.
3. Blue Raspberry Lemonade
Blue Raspberry Lemonade is a Sour Patch Kids flavor powerhouse: bold, sour and refreshingly sweet. Its electric blue zing has an irresistible sour punch, but the lemonade tones it just enough to make it highly snackable. Fans love the intense pucker paired with that nostalgic carnival vibe, earning it a well-deserved spot within the top three.
2. Watermelon
Watermelon surprises with its juicy, lightly tart sweetness that feels like biting into fresh melon. It hits the perfect balance. It’s sweet without overshooting but packs enough tang to keep it interesting.
This Sour Patch Kids flavor brings a taste of summer to fall as it is consistently one of the best Halloween candies. It’s so good all year that it ranks just shy of the top spot, as only one other flavor can really compete with it.
1. Blue Raspberry
Blue Raspberry remains the undisputed champion of Sour Patch Kids flavors. It's bold sour burst followed by sweet, juicy fill creates the perfect sour-sweet harmony. With its colorful punch and intense flavor, it’s the gold standard that other candy aspires to match. Pure, powerful and fun — that’s why it rules this list of Sour Patch Kids flavors ranked.
Sour Patch Kids flavors have come a long way from the original lineup, and this sour-then-sweet candy isn’t slowing down when it comes to creating innovative treats. With bold new blends and revamped classics, each flavor brings something unique to the mix.
These best of the best Sour Patch Kids flavors include everything from tropical escapes like Pineapple and Peach to inventive mashups like Cherry Lime Lemonade and Blue Raspberry Lemonade. And while not every flavor knocks it out of the park, even the lower-ranked varieties offer a fun and nostalgic snacking experience.
What made this ranking fun — and tricky — was just how competitive the list has become. Candy lovers today are looking for more than just one-note flavors. They want combinations that surprise them, balance that keeps them reaching for more, and the signature zing that only Sour Patch Kids can deliver.
At the end of the day, the “best” Sour Patch Kid really comes down to personal taste, and we’re just here to help you discover your next favorite.
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