Pepsi Blue
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| Type | Flavored Cola |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | PepsiCo, Inc. |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| Introduced | mid-2002 |
| Discontinued | 2004 (Canadian markets) |
| Related products | Crystal Pepsi, New Coke |
Pepsi Blue was a berry-flavored soft drink produced by PepsiCo.
Contents |
[edit] History
Pepsi Blue was launched in mid-2002 and discontinued in Canada and the United States in 2004, although it remains available in some other countries. Its berry flavor was the result of taste-testing over 100 flavors over a 9-month period.[1][2] Designed to compete with Coca-Cola's Vanilla Coke,[3] the flavor of Pepsi Blue was described by Pepsi only as "berry" and described by drinkers as like blueberries or raspberries, or similar to cotton candy with a berry-like aftertaste and much more sugary and syrupy than regular cola. It was tinted using Blue 1,[4] a highly controversial coloring agent banned in numerous countries at the time. The move to make a brightly-colored version of the flagship Pepsi brand was spurred by 2001's introduction of Mountain Dew Code Red, which had bumped PepsiCo's Mountain Dew division sales up 6%.[3]
[edit] Promotion
Although heavily promoted by PepsiCo (including advertisements by the pop singer Britney Spears and the bands Sev and Papa Roach, as well as in the movies The Italian Job and Garfield: The Movie), it is widely seen as a commercial flop as sales remained low. Even with the failure of Pepsi Blue, PepsiCo still managed to post double-digit growth. [1] Also, multiple groups claim to be "bringing back" Pepsi Blue, but are so far unsuccessful. Pepsi has since denied any plans to bring back Pepsi Blue.[citation needed]
In Manila, Philippines, Pepsi Blue was sold for a limited time in late 2002 to commemorate the championship of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP. In 2011, Pepsi released a similar product to the Pepsi Blue in Metro Manila, Philippines called "Pepsi Pinas".[5]
Pepsi Blue was promoted after New York Mets games during the summer of 2002, where the color blue was one of the symbolic colors of the ball club. Other promotions included handing out free bottles from a Pepsi Blue themed VW New Beetle at popular shopping centers around the country. Jolt Cola makes a similar beverage called Jolt Blue CX2; a blue raspberry soda in a battery shaped metal can with a flavor often described as like that of cotton candy.
Pepsi Blue was also endorsed by Adam Vinatieri, the then New England Patriots kicker.
Pepsi Blue is still available in Indonesia and Malaysia.
[edit] Ingredients
Carbonated water, High fructose corn syrup and/or Sugar, Citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, Phosphoric acid, Potassium citrate, Potassium benzoate and Potassium sorbate (to preserve freshness), Caffeine, Gum arabic, Ascorbic acid and Calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor), blue 1, red 40. Contains 25 mg of caffeine.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Rick Aristotle Munarriz, for Fool.com. September 5, 2002. "Swallowing Pepsi Blue".
- ^ CNN Money staff. May 7, 2002. "Pepsi Blue is Coming".
- ^ a b Theresa Howard, for USA Today. May 8, 2002. "Marketers of colorful drinks dye for big sales".
- ^ BevNet.com reviews: Pepsi Blue
- ^ "Pepsi Pinas Goes Global". BBDO Guerrero Philippines. http://www.bbdoguerrero.com/?p=727.
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