Discover the Top 10 Retro Sweets of All Time

The UK is a nation of sweet lovers. From fabulous fruity delights to tongue-tingling sour shockers, here at Keep It Sweet we have hundreds of different types of Retro Sweets to choose from, with something to take everyone’s fancy. But just which Retro Sweets have proven to be the best and have been voted the nation’s favourites? Take a look…

1.       First up is a true classic, Jelly Babies. Originally called ‘Peace Babies’ to celebrate the end of the First World War, these sweets have been around a long time and are just as popular as they have ever been! Not only do these old school fruity treats taste oh-so-delicious, but they are also just as fun to eat as each different flavoured sweet has its own name. Tuck into Brilliant, Bubbles, Baby Bonny, Boofuls, Bigheart and Bumper yourself and see what all the fuss is about!

2.       One of our ultimate favourites is one that has been named the nation’s favourite retro sweet many a time. Flying Saucers are an all-time classic and really are out of this world! Not only do they look absolutely delicious, especially displayed in a glass sweet jar for a true traditional feel, but they taste just as great too. Filled with tongue-tingling zingy sherbet sure to make your eyes water, these explosively fruity treats are a go-to whatever the occasion and if anything, are near impossible not to scoff all at once!

3.       Next up on our list of favourite Retro Sweets are Black Jacks. These are arguably one of the most iconic and well-known retro sweets of all time, partly because of the peculiar shade of black they turn your tongue! Whether you love them or hate them, these aniseed flavoured chews have been around for as long as any of us can remember and were a true traditional sweet shop staple back in the day. And aniseed itself has a long history, having been used in everything from drinks to cakes and even supposedly useful for averting the ‘evil eye’ (we’ll stick to aniseed sweets!)

4.       Next on our favourites is another retro sweet that looks just as good as it tastes, if not better! Candy Necklaces are every sweet-loving fashionista’s dream and are one of the only retro sweets that you can wear and eat. Simply nibble a bit off whenever you need a quick sugar fix and you’re onto a winner! Why not buy a bulk bag of these for the perfect fun sweet wedding favours?

5.       Fizzy Cola Bottles are not just one of our favourites - but a favourite of millions of people across the world. Packed with a mouth-watering tang, these delicious sour treats are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face and are perfect for all cola addicts out there! We also have Fizzy Cherry Cola Bottles if you fancy mixing it up, along with giant ones which will satisfy an even bigger sweet tooth.

6.       Or maybe Wine Gums are more your cup of tea? These Retro Sweets are another firm favourite and are definitely up there on our own list of favourites here at Keep It Sweet. You simply cannot go wrong with these staple sweet treats and although many generations of children have been convinced otherwise, they don’t actually contain any wine so you’re fine to eat and drive!

7.       A particular childhood favourite on the list is Gobstoppers. These brightly coloured spheres of candy are a true retro classic and last for forever! Perfect for keeping someone quiet to get a moment’s peace, or for if you need a long-lasting sugar fix, these delicious favourites won’t ever get old. Not only do they taste great, but they also look fantastic displayed in one of our glass sweet jars to give as a unique gift or to display at parties or events.

8.       Another true British classic is Fruit Rock. Straight from the seaside, these hard-boiled colourful treats are also pretty long lasting are come in ever more intricate designs and crazy flavours. Here at Keep It Sweet we also offer Personalised Fruit Rock. Perfect for wedding favours or events, these vibrant individually wrapped treats allow you to add your very own message, text or logo to create a truly unique and personal sweet.

9.       Barley Sugars may not sound too appealing to some, but these toned-down sweets have proven to make up for their bare appearance in taste. These boiled golden orange delights are a family favourite loved across multiple generations. It’s warm, comforting taste is filled with nostalgia and is sure to bring plenty of memories flooding back.

10.   Another favourite in the world of Retro Sweets are Lovehearts. These delicious fruity delights complete with cheeky messages on them are yet another sweet filled with history. First produced as a novelty Christmas cracker filler in the 1950s, these sweets have since rocketed to become one of the UK’s favourites - with millions being made every year. And what’s more, the whole production process of these lovey-dovey sweets is filled with romance and in 2012 the Lovehearts factory was named ‘The Factory of Love’ since so many employees have found love there.

View our full range of Retro Sweets here and don’t hesitate to get in contact to let us know your favourites!