Dante Carrillo
PepsiCo has discontinued its Diet Sierra Mist drink in the United States, replacing it with a new product called Mist Twst or Starry. The drink was first introduced in 2001 as a sugar-free alternative to the original Sierra Mist and quickly became one of Pepsi's most popular diet sodas. While Mist Twst and Starry have been successful, many people still miss the original Diet Sierra Mist, which was considered one of the healthiest sodas due to its low sugar content and absence of high-fructose corn syrup and aspartame. The drink is still available in certain countries, such as Canada and Mexico, and PepsiCo has occasionally reintroduced it for limited-time promotions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of discontinuation | 2023 |
| Replacement drink | Starry |
| Replacement drink flavour profile | Less sweet, with a bite to it, and a sharper citrus flavour |
| Replacement drink target market | Gen Z |
| Countries where Diet Sierra Mist is still available | Canada and Mexico |
| Diet Sierra Mist special occasion production | Limited quantities are still produced for special occasions |
| Diet Sierra Mist relaunch | Diet Sierra Mist was briefly relaunched in 2020 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its original launch |
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What You'll Learn
Diet Sierra Mist discontinued in the US
PepsiCo has discontinued Diet Sierra Mist in the United States, replacing it with a new product called Mist Twst (or Mist Twst). The drink, which was first introduced in 2001, was a sugar-free alternative to the original Sierra Mist and quickly became one of Pepsi's most popular diet sodas. In 2017, the company announced that it would be discontinuing Diet Sierra Mist in the US market and replacing it with a drink that combines real sugar and artificial sweeteners.
While Mist Twst has been a success, many people still miss the original Diet Sierra Mist. In fact, the drink was so popular that PepsiCo has continued to produce it in limited quantities for special occasions. For example, in 2020, the soda was reintroduced for a limited time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its launch. Additionally, Diet Sierra Mist is still available in certain countries, including Canada and Mexico.
Sierra Mist was often considered one of the healthiest sodas available, with a 12-ounce can containing just 140 calories, 35 milligrams of sodium, and 37 grams of carbohydrates. It was also free from high-fructose corn syrup and aspartame, which may have contributed to its popularity among health-conscious consumers.
The decision to discontinue Diet Sierra Mist in the US and replace it with Mist Twst was likely influenced by changing consumer behavior and a desire to appeal to younger drinkers. According to PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta, the company was experiencing a slowdown in the US market due to pricing, disposable income, and a shift from in-home to away-from-home consumption. By discontinuing Diet Sierra Mist and introducing Mist Twst, PepsiCo likely hoped to capture a larger share of the youth market and boost its soda sales.
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Mist Twst: Sierra Mist's replacement
PepsiCo has discontinued its Sierra Mist line, replacing it with Starry, a bid to attract younger consumers and compete with Coca-Cola's Sprite. Sierra Mist, a lemon-lime soda, was first introduced in 1999 and was available across the United States by 2003. In 2016, it was rebranded as Mist Twst, only to revert to Sierra Mist in 2018.
Mist Twst, Sierra Mist's replacement, was introduced in 2016 and was made with a combination of real sugar and artificial sweeteners. The new formula added high-fructose corn syrup back to the drink, resulting in a less sweet taste compared to its predecessor. The switch from real sugar to high-fructose corn syrup also contributed to a sharper, crisper citrus flavor and bubbles. While Mist Twst has been successful, it has not generated the same level of devotion as the original Sierra Mist, with some consumers still missing the discontinued drink.
In 2023, PepsiCo discontinued the Sierra Mist brand for the second time, replacing it with Starry, a Sprite taste-alike. This decision was likely a strategic business move, as Sierra Mist held only 0.1% of the soda market share, while Sprite dominated with 7%. The new drink, Starry, is geared towards younger consumers, specifically Gen Z, with its marketing campaign emphasizing optimism, irreverence, and a sense of fun.
While Sierra Mist is no longer available in the United States, it has not been discontinued entirely. It is still produced and sold in certain countries, such as Canada and Mexico. Additionally, PepsiCo has reintroduced the drink for limited-time promotions and special occasions, such as the 20th-anniversary celebration of its original launch in 2020.
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Sierra Mist: a healthy soda option
Sierra Mist, a lemon-lime soda introduced by PepsiCo in 1999, has often been considered one of the healthiest soda options available. A 12-ounce can of Sierra Mist contains 140 calories, 35 milligrams of sodium, and 37 grams of carbohydrates, which is slightly better than its closest competitor. Notably, it is also free from high-fructose corn syrup and aspartame, resulting in a healthier option compared to other sodas.
Sierra Mist was well-regarded as a healthier soda choice, but it was not immune to the challenges faced by the soda industry as a whole. In recent years, consumer behaviour has shifted, with a general slowdown in the US food and beverage categories. This shift has prompted companies like PepsiCo to make changes to their product lineups. As a result, in 2023, PepsiCo discontinued the entire Sierra Mist line, replacing it with Starry, a bid to capture the attention of younger consumers and compete with Coca-Cola's Sprite.
While Sierra Mist was replaced, it is important to note that PepsiCo did not entirely stop producing Diet Sierra Mist. In certain countries, such as Canada and Mexico, Diet Sierra Mist is still available. Additionally, PepsiCo has occasionally reintroduced Diet Sierra Mist for limited-time promotions or special occasions. For example, in 2020, Diet Sierra Mist was temporarily brought back to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its launch.
Despite these limited appearances, the discontinuation of Sierra Mist, including its diet version, marks the end of a soda option that was once considered a healthier alternative. While soda is generally not the best choice for health-conscious individuals, Sierra Mist stood out for its relatively lower sugar content and absence of artificial sweeteners. With its replacement, Starry, PepsiCo has opted for a different strategy, targeting a younger demographic and aiming to capture market share from Sprite.
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Sierra Mist: still available in some countries
PepsiCo has discontinued the production of Sierra Mist, a lemon-lime soda, in the United States, replacing it with Starry, a new version geared towards younger consumers. The move is seen as a strategy to compete with Coca-Cola's Sprite and capture a larger share of the soda market. Sierra Mist had only a 0.1% market share, while Sprite held 7%.
However, Sierra Mist is not entirely gone and is still available in certain countries, including Canada and Mexico. Additionally, PepsiCo has reintroduced the drink for limited-time promotions and special occasions, such as the 20th-anniversary celebration in 2020.
Sierra Mist, introduced in 1999, was known for being one of the healthiest sodas due to its lower sugar content and absence of high-fructose corn syrup and aspartame. Its diet version, Diet Sierra Mist, was also popular among those looking for a sugar-free option.
The discontinuation of Sierra Mist and the introduction of Starry represent PepsiCo's response to changing consumer behaviour and their attempt to stay relevant in the competitive soda market. While some may mourn the loss of Sierra Mist, others will embrace the new offering, Starry, with its updated flavour profile and marketing targeted at a younger generation.
Although Sierra Mist may no longer be widely available, its impact on the soda landscape, particularly in terms of health-conscious options, remains significant. The drink's limited-time promotions and continued availability in select countries also provide a glimmer of hope for loyal fans who miss its unique taste.
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Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash: a seasonal favourite
Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash was a seasonal favourite, a version of the lemon-lime soda with a cranberry infusion. It was a winter holiday season special, released annually, but it has now been discontinued.
Sierra Mist was first introduced by PepsiCo in 1999 and was available across the United States by 2003. The drink was rebranded as "Mist Twist" in 2016, but this name was short-lived, and it reverted to Sierra Mist in 2018. The drink was known for being healthier than other sodas, with slightly less sugar and no high fructose corn syrup or aspartame. It was also caffeine-free.
The Sierra Mist brand included a range of flavours, including the seasonal Cranberry Splash, and "Undercover Orange", released as a limited-time tie-in with the Warner Bros. film "Get Smart" in 2007. The brand also included Diet Sierra Mist, a sugar-free alternative that was particularly popular.
However, in 2023, PepsiCo discontinued the entire Sierra Mist line, including Diet Sierra Mist, which was replaced by Mist Twst in 2017. The company replaced the drink with Starry, a bid to attract younger customers and compete with Coca-Cola's Sprite. While there was little uproar over the change, some still miss the original Sierra Mist, especially the diet version, which has been discontinued entirely in the United States.
For those who miss the Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash, Coca-Cola offers an alternative: Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry, which adds cranberry and spices to the lemon-lime base, creating a unique, caffeine-free soft drink.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, PepsiCo discontinued Diet Sierra Mist in the United States in 2017, replacing it with Mist Twst.
Diet Mist was discontinued due to changing consumer behaviour. PepsiCo's CEO, Ramon Laguarta, stated that the company was experiencing a slowdown in the US food and beverage category.
Diet Mist was a sugar-free alternative to the original Sierra Mist. On the other hand, Mist Twst is made with a combination of real sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Yes, Sierra Mist is still available in certain countries, including Canada and Mexico.
Some healthy alternatives to Diet Mist include water, coffee, green tea, vegetable juice, and smoothies.
