New Pepsi flavors don’t come around very often. Sure, you’ll get the occasional limited edition collab (like the maple syrup IHOP Pepsi), but Pepsi isn’t like Coca-Cola with its Creations line, releasing new flavors based on the concept of angst or inspired by something Link cooked up in the latest Zelda game. So, we were psyched when we first heard rumors about new Pepsi flavors way back in 2023. And we waited patiently for this very moment when we could try them. Did they let us down like so many new soda flavors have done in the past? Read on to find out.
- Pepsi Lime
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Pepsi Lime was first introduced in 2004 and discontinued just two years later in 2006. I never tried it, so I can’t compare the original to the 2024 rerelease. If you can, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Specifically, I’d like to know if the old Pepsi Lime actually tasted like lime, because this one sure doesn’t.
Pros: Pepsi Lime tastes good. It tastes like a better, brighter, slightly more acidic Pepsi. But it doesn’t taste like lime. At my most generous, I’ll say that it tastes like a Pepsi you squeezed a lime wedge into. But, again it’s good. That added acidity really helps balance out Pepsi’s signature sweet flavor.
Cons: It doesn’t actually taste like lime. While Pepsi Lime is a good soda, it’s not a good lime-flavored soda because it doesn’t really taste like lime. If only they called it Pepsi Hint of Lime, like the Tostitos chips, then I might be more on board with the branding. But, as it stands, the name is a misnomer and misleading. Pepsi, if you really want to please your fans, you’ll bring back Pepsi Blue.
Credit: Liv Averett
- Pepsi Peach
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Peach wouldn’t be my first thought for a new Pepsi flavor. Peach is such a subtle, sweet flavor—and it’s rarely paired with cola. My only thought is that this is a subtle dig at the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola. Pepsi is looking to earn on Coke’s hometown fruit. Good one, Pepsi.
Pros: I didn’t expect to love this new Pepsi flavor but I really, really do. It tastes like peach rings dunked into a can of Pepsi. But somehow it’s not too sweet! It’s refreshing. It’s a genuinely new flavor experience. It feels like the flavor scientists put a lot of time and attention into developing this flavor. It’s really well balanced. Nicely done, Pepsi scientists.
Cons: If you’re hoping for real, fresh peach flavor…what were you thinking? This is a mass-produced cola. It was never going to taste like fresh peach. Anyway, if that’s what you were hoping for, you’re going to be disappointed. But otherwise, if you even have a passing appreciation for peach rings, you’ll like Peach Pepsi.
Credit: Liv Averett
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