By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Jun 16, 2008 at 9:33 AM

Recently, I read a great book for my book club called "Love Is A Mix Tape." It’s the memoir of Rob Sheffield, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, and it takes place in the mid ‘90s, a time when people -- well, some people -- actually drank Zima.

I was never a fan of this clear, lightly carbonated malt liquor; however, when my friend and fellow bookclubber suggested we bring Zima to the book club party, I agreed. It seems like a humorous and appropriate contribution for the standard book club food-and-drink buffet because in the book the characters mixed Zima with Chambord.

We agreed that she would get the raspberry liqueur and I would score the Zima.  Easier said than done.

I stopped in at two liquor stores in Riverwest. Neither had it. So I went to Pick ‘n Save’s liquor department. Nope. I called a few more liquor stores, including Otto’s and Gilbert’s, both on Oakland Avenue, and they didn’t have it either.

Everyone I spoke to said basically the same thing: They thought the beverage was still around, but they hadn’t stocked it in a long time. I checked the Web site, and apparently it was repackaged and reintroduced as Zima Citrus, but even that is difficult to find.

Anyone have any idea where to find -- or if you can still get -- the classic, non-citrus flavor Zima? I will not rest until I track down this nasty beverage.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.