Pepsi Blue facts for kids
20 ounce in 2021
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| Type | Flavored soda |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | PepsiCo |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Introduced | August 2002 May 2021 (North American re-release) |
| Discontinued | May 2004 (North American markets) July 2021 (North American re-release) |
| Related products | Crystal Pepsi |
Pepsi Blue is a berry-flavored soda made by PepsiCo. It was called a "Berry Cola Fusion". This drink was sold in the United States and Canada from 2002 to 2004.
Even after it stopped being sold in North America, you could still find it in other countries. Pepsi Blue came back to the United States and Canada for a short time in May 2021.
The Story of Pepsi Blue
Pepsi Blue first came out in mid-2002. It was stopped in Canada and the United States in 2004. But you can still find it in the Philippines.
Scientists at PepsiCo tried over 100 different flavors for nine months. They wanted to create a new drink. Pepsi Blue was made to get the attention of teenagers. It had a bright blue color and a special taste.
Pepsi said the flavor was "berry." Customers thought it tasted like blueberries or raspberries. Some even said it was like cotton candy with a berry aftertaste. It was also much sweeter than regular cola.
The blue color came from a dye called Blue 1. This coloring agent was not allowed in many countries back then. PepsiCo decided to make a brightly colored drink because of Mountain Dew Code Red. That drink had boosted Mountain Dew sales by 6%. Pepsi Blue tried to copy the bright colors of Gatorade.
In April 2021, Pepsi announced that Pepsi Blue would return. It was available for a limited time starting in May 2021.
How Pepsi Blue Was Advertised
PepsiCo promoted Pepsi Blue a lot. Pop singer Britney Spears and bands like Sev and Papa Roach were in its ads. It also appeared in movies like The Italian Job and Garfield: The Movie.
Even with all this advertising, Pepsi Blue did not sell well. Many people saw it as a commercial failure. But PepsiCo still managed to grow a lot as a company.
Pepsi Blue was promoted after New York Mets baseball games in 2002. Blue is one of the team's colors. Another way they promoted it was by giving out free bottles. They used a special Pepsi Blue-themed VW New Beetle car at popular shopping centers.
A similar drink is Jolt Blue CX2. It is a blue raspberry soda that comes in a battery-shaped can. People often say it tastes like cotton candy. Adam Vinatieri, a kicker for the New England Patriots, also supported Pepsi Blue. He helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl in 2002.
In Manila, Philippines, Pepsi Blue was sold for a short time in late 2002. This was to celebrate the Ateneo Blue Eagles winning the UAAP championship. In 2011, Pepsi released Pepsi Blue in Metro Manila, Philippines as Pepsi Pinas. After Pepsi Pinas was popular, it became a regular product and was renamed Pepsi Blue. It is hard to find in bottles and cans there. But it is common at 7-Eleven soda fountains. In India, Pepsi Blue was launched during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. It supported the India national cricket team, who wear blue jerseys.
