Milly Gaines
Diet Mountain Dew is a low-calorie, low-sugar variant of the original Mountain Dew drink, which was introduced in 1984. It has undergone several changes since its launch, including a formula change in 2006, a rebrand in 2020, and a change in tagline in 2023. The drink is known for its citrus taste and yellow-green color, and it has a dedicated fan base. However, some consumers have noticed changes in its taste, with some batches tasting sweeter or more like regular Mountain Dew. The taste of Diet Mountain Dew also appears to vary across different regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Introduction | 1984 or 1988 |
| Colour | Yellow-green |
| Taste | Citrus |
| Tagline | "Low Calorie DEW" (until 2023), "DIET DEW" (since 2023) |
| Calories | 10 (compared to 290 calories in the original) |
| Sweeteners | Sucralose, Aspartame, and Acesulfame Potassium |
| Rebranding | In 2006, Diet Mountain Dew was rebranded as "Tuned Up Taste" |
| Variants | Mountain Dew Zero Sugar, Mountain Dew No Sugar, Mountain Dew Diète, Mountain Dew Sans Sucres, Mountain Dew Energised No Sugar, All Dew-No Sugar, All Dew-No Calorie |
| Availability | United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, France, Australia, Malaysia |
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$34.12
What You'll Learn
Diet Mountain Dew's formula change in 2006
Diet Mountain Dew has undergone several changes since its introduction in 1984. The drink was initially branded as "Sugar-Free Mountain Dew" before being renamed to its current name, Diet Mountain Dew. The most notable formula change occurred in 2006 when PepsiCo introduced a new and improved version called "Tuned Up Taste."
Prior to the 2006 change, the drink was sweetened exclusively with aspartame. However, the new formula blended sweeteners, including sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. This alteration in sweeteners may have contributed to the perceived changes in taste reported by some consumers.
Some consumers have expressed mixed reactions to the formula change. While some have noticed a strange or "sharper" taste, others have commented on the drink tasting sweeter than before. Regional differences in taste have also been observed, with variations noted between bottles purchased in the Midwest and Seattle. These differences may be attributed to factors such as water hardness, mineral buildup, or other variables associated with bottling and distribution.
In addition to formula adjustments, Diet Mountain Dew has undergone branding and packaging changes. In 2012, it was reintroduced in some countries as "Diet Mountain Dew Citrus Charge" to align with the Citrus Charge branding. This version included caffeine, bringing it in line with formulations in other countries. In 2017, the drink was rebranded again, dropping the "Citrus Charge" label and returning to the name "Diet Mountain Dew" in English-speaking countries.
The changes to Diet Mountain Dew reflect the dynamic nature of the beverage industry, where companies strive to meet evolving consumer preferences, regulatory requirements, and market trends. These adaptations showcase the ongoing efforts to enhance products and maintain their relevance in a competitive market.
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The drink's rebrand in 2023
In 2023, Diet Mountain Dew underwent a rebrand, changing its tagline from "Low Calorie Dew" to "Diet Dew". This change simplified and emphasised the "diet" aspect of the drink, perhaps to appeal to health-conscious consumers. While the tagline changed, the drink retained its signature citrus taste and yellow-green colour.
The history of Diet Mountain Dew reveals a dynamic journey of rebranding and reformulation. Introduced in 1984 as Sugar-Free Mountain Dew, it was later renamed Diet Mountain Dew. In 2006, PepsiCo, the owner of the Mountain Dew brand, reformulated the drink, creating a "Tuned Up Taste" that utilised a blend of artificial sweeteners. This reformulation was accompanied by a significant promotional campaign.
Over the years, Diet Mountain Dew has seen various iterations and limited releases, such as the Diet Mountain Dew Citrus Charge in 2012, which was later rebranded in 2017 to align with its American counterpart. In 2020, Mountain Dew Zero Sugar was introduced in the United States, initially replacing Diet Mountain Dew before they began coexisting in certain regions from 2022 onwards.
The Mountain Dew brand has a history of frequent logo changes, with new designs introduced in 1996, 1998, 2005, and 2008. In 2024, PepsiCo announced a major rebrand, reverting to the full "Mountain" spelling and incorporating mountain scenery in the background of the logo. This demonstrates the brand's willingness to adapt and stay relevant in a competitive market.
The rebrand in 2023, along with the drink's history of reformulations and rebranding, showcases the dynamic nature of the beverage industry and the importance of staying agile to meet evolving consumer preferences and market trends.
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The taste difference in different locations
Diet Mountain Dew has undergone several changes since its introduction in 1984. It was initially branded as Sugar-Free Mountain Dew before being renamed to its current name, Diet Mountain Dew. In 2006, PepsiCo made a significant formula change, creating the "Tuned Up Taste" using a blend of sweeteners. Despite these changes, Diet Mountain Dew has retained its distinct citrus taste and yellow-green colour, similar to the Original Mountain Dew.
Interestingly, there have been reports of taste variations in Diet Mountain Dew across different locations. Some people have noticed that the drink tastes different in certain regions, such as Eastern North Carolina, compared to other parts of the country. This could be due to the involvement of different bottling companies in these areas, as they may use slightly varied processes or ingredients.
For example, some drinkers in Seattle have reported a strange taste in their Diet Mountain Dew, while the same product tasted fine in the Midwest. This inconsistency has led to confusion and disappointment among loyal drinkers, who are unsure whether it is due to bad batches or permanent recipe changes.
In addition to regional differences, Diet Mountain Dew has also been reformulated over time, with some drinkers preferring the older versions. The introduction of Mountain Dew Zero Sugar in 2020 further complicated preferences, as some found it to be a better alternative to Diet Mountain Dew, while others remained loyal to the original diet version.
While the taste differences in different locations may be subtle, they can significantly impact the drinking experience for loyal fans of Diet Mountain Dew. These variations highlight the complex nature of beverage production and distribution, where factors such as local regulations, ingredient availability, and consumer preferences can lead to unique taste profiles in different regions.
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The drink's rebrand in 2012
In 2012, Diet Mountain Dew was reintroduced in the United Arab Emirates as "Diet Mountain Dew - Dew Does Diet". However, it is likely that this variation is no longer being produced. The drink was rebranded as "Citrus Charge" in 2012, adding caffeine to the formula to match the branding in other countries. This was discontinued in 2017, when the drink was rebranded again, this time without the "Citrus Charge" label, and was simply known as Diet Mountain Dew.
The Mountain Dew branding was also removed from cans in 2012, although it has since been reintroduced. This was part of a wider rebrand by PepsiCo, which saw new logos introduced in 1996, 1998, 2005, and 2008. The 2012 rebrand also saw the drink's formula changed, with some fans noting a difference in taste and appearance.
The rebrand in 2012 was part of PepsiCo's strategy of changing the Mountain Dew logo every few years. The logo was changed again in 2024, reverting to the full "Mountain" spelling, with the artwork featuring mountain scenery in the background.
Mountain Dew has a history of regularly changing the formula and branding of its drinks, with Diet Mountain Dew first being introduced in 1984 (or 1988, according to another source) and receiving a formula change in 2006.
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The drink's introduction in 1984
Diet Mountain Dew was introduced in 1984 (although one source suggests it was 1988) as a sugar-free version of the original Mountain Dew drink, which was invented in 1940. It was initially branded as Sugar-Free Mountain Dew before being renamed Diet Mountain Dew.
Between the 1940s and 1980s, there was only one variety of Mountain Dew, which was citrus-flavoured and caffeinated in most markets. The original formula was invented in 1940 by Tennessee beverage bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman. A revised formula was created by Bill Bridgforth in 1958, and the rights to this formula were obtained by the Tip Corporation of Marion, Virginia. William H. "Bill" Jones of the Tip Corporation further refined the formula, launching that version in 1961. In 1964, the Mountain Dew brand and production rights were acquired from Tip by the Pepsi-Cola company, and the distribution expanded across the United States and Canada.
In 2006, Diet Mountain Dew received a formula change by PepsiCo, which created a new and improved formula called a "Tuned Up Taste." This uses a blend of sweeteners named sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. The previous formulation was sweetened exclusively with aspartame. The tagline until 2023 was "Low Calorie Dew," but it was changed to "Diet Dew."
In 2012, Diet Mountain Dew was introduced in the United Arab Emirates as Diet Mountain Dew - Dew Does Diet, although it is likely no longer produced there. In the same year, it was introduced in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway under the name "All Dew, No Sugar," which remains available. In 2017, the Diet Mountain Dew Citrus Charge was rebranded and received similar packaging to its American counterpart, dropping the "Citrus Charge" label. In 2020, Mountain Dew Zero Sugar was released in the United States, replacing Diet Mountain Dew. However, from 2022 onwards, Diet Mountain Dew coexists with Mountain Dew Zero Sugar in Newfoundland and other eastern provinces, making it a region-specific flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet Mountain Dew is a modified version of the original formula, containing a low sugar count but retaining the same citrus taste and yellow-green colour. In 2006, PepsiCo changed the formula to a "Tuned Up Taste", which uses a blend of sweeteners.
Diet Mountain Dew was introduced in 1984 and was previously branded as Sugar-Free Mountain Dew. In 2020, Mountain Dew Zero Sugar was released in the US and replaced Diet Mountain Dew. However, as of 2022, Diet Mountain Dew coexists with Mountain Dew Zero Sugar in Newfoundland and other eastern provinces, making it a region-specific flavour.
Yes, until 2023, the tagline for Diet Mountain Dew was "Low Calorie Dew". In 2023, the tagline was changed to "DIET DEW".
Yes, Diet Mountain Dew, which is owned by PepsiCo, has undergone several logo changes. New logos were introduced in 1996, 1998, 2005, 2008, and 2024.
