You can probably still picture it: a candy stick poking out of your backpack pocket, your fingers dusted with sherbet sugar, and your best friend daring you to pour an entire Pixy Stix into your mouth at once. As a child, enjoying retro candy sticks was a special experience that brought pure excitement. Retro candy sticks weren’t just sweet treats, they were a whole vibe. They captured the mischief, joy, and sticky-fingered freedom of being a kid.

We all had that one favourite. Maybe it was the crackly thrill of Fizz Wiz, or the satisfaction of slowly melting a peppermint twist while watching Saturday morning cartoons. 

These candies are remembered for their good flavour and the good memories they created, making every bite a trip back to simpler times. In this piece, we’re taking a sugary stroll down memory lane, revisiting the legendary 90s candy sticks that filled our baskets, playground trades, and hearts with sweet nostalgia. 

It was widely believed that retro candy sticks were more than just snacks, they were a symbol of fun and friendship.

So let’s dive in and explore why candy sticks remain such a beloved, delicious part of our childhoods.

What Are Candy Sticks, Anyway?

On the surface, candy sticks are just simple, rod-shaped confections. But to anyone who grew up in the 80s or 90s, they were tiny capsules of pure fun. 

As part of a larger group of nostalgic candies, candy sticks hold a special place in pop culture, evoking memories and traditions shared across generations. 

Whether hard and glossy or chalky and powdery, these treats packed a serious personality.

Some candy sticks were made for dipping. Others were meant to be sucked slowly like lollies without the stick. And some, like the infamous candy cigarettes, were made to make kids feel like mini adults, until they were banned or rebranded, that is.

Often packaged in cheerful paper or shiny plastic, these sticks filled every corner shop shelf and were proudly displayed in kitchen jars or birthday party loot bags. They were colourful, sweet, and always ready to add a pop of flavour to your day.

A Sweet Trip Through Stick Candy History

Let’s rewind to the 1830s. That’s when traditional stick candy first emerged, with hand-pulled sugar being twisted into those iconic barber pole swirls. 

These treats were sold by the piece, lined up in baskets at general stores, and were loved for their bold colours and bold flavours.

Back then, everything was made in small batches. Sugar was boiled, stretched, flavoured with natural ingredients, and spun into shape. Classic options like peppermint, anise, and cinnamon ruled the day.

As production scaled up, so did the variety. What started as a niche treat grew into a staple of sweet shops across the country, and ultimately paved the way for the rainbow of retro sweets we remember so fondly.

Meet the Iconic 90s Candy Stick Crew

By the time the 90s rolled around, candy sticks had evolved into an unforgettable cast of characters. Here's the sweet squad we all knew and loved:

Candy Cigarettes (aka Candy Sticks)

Originally designed to mimic grown-up cigarettes, these sticks had a dry, chalky crunch and came in little faux cartons. While the look was controversial, the taste was harmlessly sugary. Eventually, the branding was softened, but the memory stuck.

Pixy Stix

Just a paper straw filled with tangy, coloured sugar? Absolutely. And yet, they were a playground legend. One tear of the top and you were pouring a wild burst of grape, cherry, or blue raspberry straight onto your tongue.

Fun Dip (Lik-A-Stix)

Fun Dip was a whole activity. You’d lick the vanilla-flavoured stick, dip it into pouches of neon sherbet powder, and repeat until your fingers were sticky and your mouth was buzzing with sweetness.

Fizz Wiz and Sherbet Fountains

Fizz Wiz popping candy made your mouth crackle with excitement. Sherbet fountains were the messier cousin, with a black liquorice stick and tangy powder that exploded with each dip. You didn't just eat these, you performed them.

Flavours and Designs That Stick with Us

Flavour was just half the magic. The rest came from the look and feel, the colourful spirals, the crinkly wrappers, the satisfying crack when you bit into a candy stick.

Some standout flavours that filled our childhood candy range included:

• Peppermint, a winter classic, is often found in Christmas candy jars.

• Cherry, punchy and bright, is the MVP of many powdered sticks.

• Root Beer, a nostalgic nod to soda shop days.

• Blue Raspberry, electric, sour, and quintessentially 90s.

These treats weren’t subtle. Their vivid stripes, retro fonts, and rainbow hues made them hard to miss, and even harder to resist. For many kids, choosing a new flavour from the shop’s stock was the highlight of the week.

Why We Loved Them So Much

What made these sweets so irresistible? It wasn’t just the sugar (though, let’s be honest, that helped). It was an experience. The anticipation. The joy of unwrapping a treat you’d saved up your coins to buy.

They were easy to share, easy to carry, and, most importantly, easy to enjoy. Kids would trade flavours, challenge each other to sour contests, and sneak candy sticks into class for a mid-morning pop of happiness.

Whether poured from a Pixy Stix, cracked in half to share with a friend, or licked down to a nub, candy sticks gave us more than a sugar rush, they gave us memories.

From Playground Fads to Retro Comebacks

Times changed, and not all stick candy made it through untouched. Regulations meant some products had to adapt. Candy cigarettes were rebranded or quietly removed. Others faded from shelves as trends shifted.

But then came the retro revival. People started craving simpler times and sweeter snacks. Bulk-buy candy stores popped up. Nostalgia-driven brands brought back the old-school favourites as a product now available once again to consumers. Suddenly, what was once a kid’s treat became a grown-up guilty pleasure.

At Smith & Sinclair, we couldn’t resist joining the comeback. Our Candy Sticks Collection is a playful remix of childhood favourites, think Cherry Bomb, Berry Sassy, and Cola Cooler. It’s candy with a wink, crafted to bring a burst of fun to today’s grown-up moments.

Browse the full collection here: Smith & Sinclair Candy Sticks Collection

Where to Find Retro Candy Sticks Today

Craving a taste of the past? Here’s where to look: you can possibly find any retro candy stick you’re searching for at these retailers, thanks to their wide and inclusive selections.

Online Retro Candy Stores

Specialist shops like CandyFavorites.com and EatRotten.com stock everything from vintage peppermint swirls to bulk packs of Pixy Stix. 

These online stores often list the quantity of candy sticks per package, which appeals to shoppers looking for specific amounts. 

They make it easy to fill your basket with all the sweets you remember, and maybe discover some you forgot.

Local Nostalgic Candy Shops

These gems are worth a visit. Rows of glass jars. That sugary smell in the air. It’s like stepping back in time. Whether you’re stocking up for a party or just treating yourself, these shops are a guaranteed trip down memory lane.

Candy Sticks at Home: DIY and Party Magic

Want to bring a little retro flair to your next celebration? Candy sticks are a crowd-pleaser with endless creative uses.

Many retro candy sticks contain zero grams of fat, making them a light treat option for parties.

Themed Events

Throwing a 90s party? Fill plastic jars with candy sticks, sherbet fountains, and slap bracelets. Use them as cake toppers or game prizes. Bonus points if you build a candy bar where guests can make their own sweet selection.

Crafts and Experiments

Get playful with your candy. Dip Lik-A-Stix into custom powder blends. Use Fun Dip to rim cocktail glasses. Even try making your own hard candy sticks at home, it’s easier than you think and a great way to add your own twist with natural flavours.

A Few Notes on Candy Safety

As with all sweet things, a little care goes a long way:

• Watch for choking hazards, especially with younger children.

• Read ingredient labels to avoid common allergens.

• Moderate the sugar, especially with sweets that go straight from the paper to the mouth. Candy is fun, but too much isn’t great for tiny teeth.

FAQs About Childhood Candy Sticks

What are candy sticks made of?
Mostly sugar, corn syrup, natural and artificial flavours, and food colouring. Powder varieties like Pixy Stix use dextrose.

Why were candy cigarettes changed to candy sticks?
To move away from promoting smoking to children. The branding changed, but the sweet treat stayed.

Are candy sticks still available today?
Yes! You can find them online, in specialty shops, and from fun-loving brands like ours.

What were the most popular 90s candy sticks?
Pixy Stix, Fun Dip, Lik-A-Stix, and candy cigarettes topped the list.

What’s the difference between Pixy Stix and Fun Dip?
Pixy Stix are single-use straws of flavoured sugar. Fun Dip adds a hard candy stick to the mix.

Where can I buy retro candy online?
Start with Smith & Sinclair, or browse other nostalgic retailers.

Are old-fashioned candy sticks safe for children?
Generally, yes, just supervise and watch for potential allergens or choking risks.

What flavours were common in 90s candy sticks?
Cherry, blue raspberry, grape, orange, root beer, and sour mixes.

How do candy sticks relate to nostalgic trends today?
They tap into childhood memories and continue to delight people of all ages with their playful designs and flavours.

Can I make candy sticks at home?
Absolutely. With sugar, molds, colouring, and creativity, you can whip up your own sweet stash.

The Sweet Legacy of Childhood Sweets

Retro candy sticks are more than just candy. They’re wrapped-up pieces of joy, handed out at parties, shared at school, or stashed away for a secret treat. They brought smiles to our faces and a sugar rush to our afternoons.

As we continue to rediscover the sweets that made our childhoods great, it’s clear these classics have staying power. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, there's still plenty of fun, and flavour, to be found.

At Smith & Sinclair, we’re proud to keep the magic going. So stock your shelf, fill your party basket, and choose your favourite flavour. The joy of candy sticks is far from over.