Oh man, 2002 was a good year for soda freaks like me. In response to sagging sales, both Coke and Pepsi decided to release new offerings. First of all, Coca-Cola released Vanilla Coke. In its first year on the shelves, almost 30% of U.S. households had tried the drink (according to Wikipedia) To compete, Pepsi came up with Pepsi Blue…it wasn’t tried by 30% of US households.
You’d think Pepsi would have just released a vanilla version (which they eventually did in 2004) but they wanted to stir some colored shit up. They were riding high off of the success of Mountain Dew Code Red and thought they could make boatloads of cash infusing more drinks with bright colors. It didn’t quite work.
First of all, while a blue drink certainly does catch the eye, it’s not inherently clear what flavor “blue” is. Pepsi called it berry infusion. It was a sugary/blueberry raspberry/ultra carbonated/slightly cotton-candyish experience. With a hint of cola.
Somewhat interesting note: Pepsi Blue used Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) as a colorant. At the time it was banned in several countries because of health concerns. People with existing asthma, for example, could experience an allergic reaction to it. Since Pepsi Blue’s demise, the colorant has largely been un-banned.
How were its first year sales compared to Vanilla Coke? According to a NY Times article in 2003:
As in much of the beverage industry, sales of soft drinks by PepsiCo continued to decline despite new products. While Sierra Mist generated a spike in sales, any significant increase was largely negated by Pepsi Blue, which the company said had not sold as well as it had hoped.
A big marketing push featuring commercials starring Britney Spears, Papa Roach, and Sev didn’t help. The writing was on the wall for Blue. By 2004 it was off the shelves in the US completely.
Even some fans of the drink say it was an acquired taste, and many simply didn’t give it a real chance. Apparently, Indonesia and Mexico are still selling it, and there have been rumors that Pepsi Blue will return to the US market in 2009 for a limited time.
For those in need of a Pepsi Blue fix NOW, I’ve got two suggestions for you. 1) Jolt Cola’s Blue Raspberry and 2) Mountain Dew Voltage. They’re not quite the same, but it might just get you through those withdrawal fits if your still a Pepsi Blue fiend.
A Classique Pepsi Blue Commercial:
Pepsi Blue came out while I was in middle school and I drank almost two bottles of the shit almost every day (this is probably why they removed soda machines from schools in California). I thought it was goddamn delicious, even if it was strangly thick and tasted absolutely nothing like Pepsi.
Vanilla coke trumps it though. I’m having a hard time finding Vanilla Coke Zero in San Francisco which sucks because I’ve recently limited myself to diety sodas only.
I never tried this stuff. I’m not interested in having my soda infused with berries.
Vanilla Coke is good, though.
Have a full can of it sitting on my shelf, I actually enjoyed this drink and can remember the summer it came out, hanging out at night with my friends, drinking it. We thought we were the coolest. Haha.
It was a new year’s promotion a few years back although I remember the color being lighter.
Pepsi Blue was fine! Actually, I find that Mountain Dew Voltage, a flavor that was voted to win DEWmocracy’s “People’s Dew” national vote, tastes very close to Pepsi Blue.
As my mom said: “IT’S LIKE WIND SHIELD WIPER SOLUTION.”
I remember drinking it as a kid, but I could imagine a grown as adult drinking it. It was just too sweet and well… bright.
Pepsi Blue is the Frankenberry of sodas.
THat looks fuck-scusting yet deliciouse
Thank Taft you finally did this. It tasted like Scott’s AIDS-ey dick, I think
I think I tried it once. Pepsi Vanilla is the best.
Think maybe they were trying to cash in on the illegal Racing crowd with that E X T R E M E ad?
I’m sure they weren’t trying to ride the coat-tails of “Gone in 60 Seconds” which was released in 2000, hehe.
Little Guy: Not to mention The Fast and the Furious in 2001
Buy:Human Growth Hormone.Accutane.Petcam (Metacam) Oral Suspension.Prevacid.Arimidex.Retin-A.Prednisolone.Actos.Synthroid.Mega Hoodia.100% Pure Okinawan Coral Calcium.Zovirax.Zyban.Lumigan.Valtrex.Nexium….
how http://cwhat1gnkzg.AUTOTECHGUIDE.INFO/tag/how+do+you+get+rid+of+hairs+product+ingrown/ : do…
do…