RIP, Sierra Mist; Pepsi launches Starry, a new lemon lime drink, to rival Coke’s Sprite

RIP, Sierra Mist; Pepsi launches Starry, a new lemon lime drink, to rival Coke’s Sprite

Pepsi is saying goodbye to Sierra Mist and is introducing Starry, a new lemon-lime soda.

Sierra Mist had been on the market for 24 years.

According to CNN, Pepsi’s research showed that “demand for lemon lime flavored soda has never been greater,” the company said in a statement. That prompted Pepsi to develop a new lemon-lime soda that gives “people a choice in an area that’s been dominated by one brand for years.”

Starry, a caffeine-free beverage, will have regular and sugar-free options. 

A Pepsi spokesperson told Fox TV stations that Starry has a “higher citrus flavors that are true to fruit and more aromatic” compared to Sierra Mist.

“With one product dominating the category, consumers deserve another option…one that hits different. STARRY is bright, optimistic, and rooted in culture and fun,” PepsiCo’s chief marketing officer Grey Lyons said in a statement.

Sierra Mist launched in 1999 to much fanfare, however it never made much of a dent in Sprite’s dominance. Neil Saunders, managing director of retail for GlobalData told CNN that it’s a “confused brand” that looks like an “imitation of Sprite.”

“At a time when growth in traditional soda is sluggish and when the shelves are being flooded with new and innovative beverages being a tired second-tier player doesn’t really cut it,” Saunders said. He pointed out that brief rebrand to Mist Twist between 2016 to 2018 was “pointless” because it confused consumers.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.