Mtn Dew Pitch Black Is Returning for 24 Hours

It’s April 8, 2024, and solar eclipse mania is in full effect. Millions of people are traveling to the “path of totality” (which sounds very ominous in a very sci-fi way), while millions of others will be blowing off work this afternoon to stare at the sky wherever they are (just don’t be like this guy). Yep, it’s a big day for astronomy buffs, pro and layman alike—but it’s a big day for soda lovers, too. Fan favorite Mtn Dew flavor Mtn Dew Pitch Black is returning for just 24 hours…naturally, there’s a catch.

Okay, what is Mtn Dew Pitch Black and how do I get my hands on some?

If you’re not up on your discontinued Mtn Dew flaves, Pitch Black is deep purple Mtn Dew that was originally released for Halloween in 2004 and eventually became part of the main lineup until it was discontinued in 2021. As far as what it tastes like, it was initially described as being “black grape” flavored, but when it was rereleased last year, it was newly described as “dark citrus” flavored. Sporked taste tester Jordan Myrick said they tasted both citrus and grape in the flavor profile; they liked it enough to give it the silver medal in our ranking of the best Mtn Dew flavors—the only flavor that beat it is the original Mtn Dew.

So how are you supposed to get your hands on a bottle of Mtn Dew Pitch Black? Well, that’s where things get a little tricky. Between now and 11:59 p.m. on April 9, Mtn Dew wants you to share an image of your experience of the eclipse (without pointing your phone at or staring into the sun, plz) on X (formerly Twitter). Just tag @mtndew and use the hashtags #MtnDewPitchBlack #Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 250 prize packs consisting of two 20-ounce special edition bottles of Mtn Dew Pitch Black, as well as a Pitch Black hoodie.

Here’s there tweet with the deets:

MTN DEW PITCH BLACK is BACK.

Share a pic showing how dark it is OUTSIDE during today’s eclipse (DON’T look or point your phone at the sun), tag us and use #MtnDewPitchBlack #Sweepstakes to be entered for a chance to win a pair of Mtn Dew Pitch Black Eclipse Edition bottles.
U.S.… pic.twitter.com/PEaMiAmEKM
— Mountain Dew® (@MountainDew) April 8, 2024

So, no. You can’t go to the store and pick up a bottle of Mtn Dew Pitch Black to guzzle while you watch the sun become shrouded by the shadow of the moon (booooo). But you can shoot off a tweet and cross your fingers the Mtn Dew Pitch Black gods smile on you.

Again, and I can’t stress this enough: Don’t stare directly into the sun today!

About the Author

Howdy! I’m Gwynedd, Sporked’s managing editor. I live in Los Angeles and have access to the best tacos the U.S. has to offer—but I’m a sucker for a crunchy Old El Paso taco night every now and then. I’ve been at Sporked since 2022 and I’m still searching frozen mozzarella sticks that can hold a candle to restaurant sticks. Why you should trust me: I’ve been a journalist for 20 years (yikes), a consumer of food for 40-plus years, and I’m truly hard pressed to think of foods I don’t like (or that I can’t tolerate at the very least). Oh and one time I cooked my way through Guy Fieri’s cookbook and wrote about the journey through Flavortown. What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s Original Savory Thins. Fat free plain yogurt (usually Fage or Nancy’s). Honeycrisp apples. Sweet cream coffee creamer for my at-home Americanos. A frozen cauliflower crust pizza and some jarred mushrooms to top it with. Old El Paso Stand ‘N Stuff taco shells and Gardein Ground Be’f, even though I think “be’f” is a nightmarish contraction. Favorite ranking: Stouffer’s frozen dinners. I don’t own a microwave (I get my cancers the old fashioned way!), so I love taste testing things that I don’t really buy to eat at home. Least favorite ranking: Soy sauce. Don’t get me wrong, I love soy sauce—but consuming that much sodium in one sitting is probably illegal in some countries. Our frozen enchilada taste test was a close second; the smell of microwaved corn tortillas still haunts me.