Brenda Khan
Mountain Dew Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavored soft drink created for Taco Bell restaurants in 2004. Since its launch, the Baja Blast brand has expanded to include new flavors, alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and even gelato. The drink was originally exclusive to Taco Bell, but it has since been made available in retail stores. In 2013, Taco Bell added a diet variant of Baja Blast to its menu, titled Diet Baja Blast. This drink remained at Taco Bell locations until 2017 when it was discontinued. In 2018, a zero-sugar variant of Baja Blast returned to Taco Bell restaurants, replacing an underperforming flavor. This non-alcoholic drink is now available at various retailers, including Amazon and Stop & Shop. This article will provide a guide on how to make this drink at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Diet Baja Blast |
| Year of Launch | 2013 |
| Availability | Taco Bell restaurants |
| Flavor | Tropical lime |
| Color | Ocean-like teal |
| Nutritional Information | 0 calories, 0 g sat fat, 50 mg sodium, 0 g added sugars, 68 mg caffeine |
| Allergens | May contain peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and crustacean shellfish |
| Variants | Baja Blast Zero Sugar, Baja Blast Freeze, Baja Blast Colada, Baja Midnight |
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What You'll Learn
Zero-sugar alternatives
Mountain Dew Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavoured soft drink created for Taco Bell restaurants in 2004. Since then, the drink has been expanded to include new flavours, alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and even gelato.
In December 2013, Taco Bell added a diet variant of Baja Blast to its menu, titled Diet Baja Blast. This was discontinued in 2015 and replaced with Orange Citrus Kickstart. However, in 2018, a zero-sugar variant of Baja Blast was reintroduced at Taco Bell restaurants, replacing Spiked (Lemonade) and rebranded as Baja Blast Zero Sugar. This drink was released nationwide by March 2019.
Baja Blast Zero Sugar is available for purchase at several online grocers, including Amazon and Star Market. It is also available at Stop & Shop, where it is described as having zero calories and zero grams of added sugar.
If you would like to make your own zero-sugar alternative to Baja Blast, you can try combining diet or zero-sugar citrus drinks with other ingredients. Some recipes to try include:
- Mixing diet Mountain Dew with a splash of lime juice and a splash of pineapple juice
- Combining diet Mountain Dew with a splash of blue curacao syrup and a squeeze of lime
- Mixing equal parts diet Mountain Dew and diet Sprite, then adding a splash of lime juice
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Taste comparison
The original Mountain Dew Baja Blast has a distinct Mexican-inspired tropical lime flavor. It is known for its vibrant ocean-like teal color and is often associated with summer releases. The drink has a tangy and fruity taste with a good amount of sweetness, creating a unique flavor profile that has gained a dedicated fan base.
On the other hand, the Zero Sugar variant of Mountain Dew Baja Blast aims to replicate the taste experience without the sugar content. While it succeeds in capturing the fruity and citrus notes, some consumers have noted that it lacks the slight tang and fizziness of the original. The zero-sugar version might taste flatter in comparison, especially to those who are accustomed to the regular version. However, for those who do not regularly consume soda, the zero-sugar option can still be enjoyable and is often preferred for its lack of sweetness.
Some consumers have also noted that the Zero Sugar variant can be harder to distinguish from the original when consumed in the context of a meal, such as the $5 cravings box from Taco Bell. This could be because the flavors of the food also come into play, influencing the overall taste experience.
It is worth noting that individual preferences play a significant role in the taste comparison. Some people might prefer the zero-sugar option due to its reduced sweetness, while others might favor the original for its fuller flavor and tanginess. Ultimately, the absence or presence of sugar does influence the taste, but both versions retain the core characteristics of the Baja Blast flavor, ensuring a similar experience.
To ensure that consumers receive their preferred option, it is always advisable to double-check with the staff at the point of purchase and, if necessary, employ methods like the sticky finger test to verify the sugar content.
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Nutritional information
Mountain Dew Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavoured soft drink created for Taco Bell restaurants in 2004. The drink was originally exclusive to Taco Bell, but since then, the Baja Blast brand has expanded to include new flavours and products such as alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, gelato, and merchandise.
In December 2013, Taco Bell added a diet variant of Baja Blast to its menu, titled Diet Baja Blast. This was later replaced by Orange Citrus Kickstart in 2015. In 2018, a zero-sugar variant of Baja Blast was released at Taco Bell restaurants, replacing an underperforming flavour called Spiked (Lemonade).
The Mountain Dew Baja Blast Zero Sugar variant contains zero calories, zero grams of saturated fat, 50 mg of sodium (2% DV), and zero grams of added sugars. The caffeine content is 68 mg per 12 fl oz. The ingredients include carbonated water, citric acid, natural and artificial flavour, sodium benzoate (preservative), potassium citrate, caffeine, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, gum arabic, calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavour), sucrose acetate isobutyrate, Yellow 5, and Blue 1.
While the zero-sugar variant may taste a bit flatter than the original to some, others prefer it as it is not too sweet. It is a good option for those who are diabetic or watching their sugar intake. However, it is important to note that the product packaging and nutritional information may vary, and customers should always read the labels to ensure the product meets their dietary preferences and expectations.
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Diabetic considerations
Mountain Dew Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavoured soft drink created for Taco Bell restaurants in collaboration with PepsiCo. Since its launch in 2004, the brand has expanded to include new flavours, alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and even gelato.
For diabetics, it is important to monitor sugar and carbohydrate intake to effectively manage blood glucose levels. As such, sugar-free and diet options are often sought after. Mountain Dew Baja Blast has a zero-sugar variant, which was first introduced in 2013 alongside its citrus punch-flavoured sister drink, Sangrita Blast. This zero-sugar option was discontinued in 2015 and replaced with Orange Citrus Kickstart. However, in 2018, a rebranded zero-sugar variant of Baja Blast was reintroduced at Taco Bell restaurants, replacing an underperforming flavour.
While the zero-sugar option is a good choice for diabetics, it is important to note that artificial sweeteners are often used in these drinks, which may not be suitable for all diabetics. Additionally, the drink still contains caffeine, which may affect blood glucose levels and should be considered in one's overall caffeine intake.
For those with diabetes who wish to consume Mountain Dew Baja Blast, it is important to carefully read the labels and nutritional information. While the zero-sugar option is generally a safer choice, it is always good to be vigilant and ensure that the product meets one's nutritional preferences and expectations. As with any food or beverage, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional or a dietician to determine what is suitable for one's specific needs and to understand how different foods and drinks may affect blood glucose levels.
Furthermore, when ordering at a restaurant or drive-thru, it is crucial to communicate one's needs clearly and confirm that the drink provided is indeed the zero-sugar option. As evident in some of the sources, there have been instances where regular Mountain Dew Baja Blast was provided instead of the zero-sugar variant. Thus, it is essential to be cautious and, if necessary, perform a simple test, such as the "sticky finger test" mentioned in one of the sources, to ensure the correct drink is received.
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Retail availability
Mountain Dew Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavoured soft drink initially created for Taco Bell restaurants in 2004. The drink was a collaboration between Taco Bell and Mountain Dew owners PepsiCo. After a decade of exclusivity at Taco Bell, Baja Blast was released at retail stores in 2014. The drink was available in a packaged format in retail stores for a limited time during the summer of 2014. The retail release was promoted on Twitter and through on-air advertisements.
Following the success of its first retail release, PepsiCo announced the re-release of Baja Blast for the summer of 2015. Since 2018, Baja Blast has been consistently released yearly during the summer. In 2021, PepsiCo announced that Baja Blast would be released at retail as part of the "Summer of Baja" promotion, along with new "spin-off" flavours. In 2022, a zero sugar version of Baja Blast was released at retail stores.
In 2024, Pepsi announced that Baja Blast would be available at retailers nationwide for the entire year to celebrate the drink's 20th anniversary. The announcement was accompanied by a Super Bowl LVIII advertisement, new products, and giveaway items. In June 2023, Baja Blast was released at retail stores for the ninth time, accompanied by new flavours: Baja Caribbean Splash and Baja Passionfruit Punch.
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Frequently asked questions
Mountain Dew Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavored soft drink created for Taco Bell restaurants in collaboration with Mountain Dew owners PepsiCo.
Yes, in December 2013, Taco Bell added a diet variant of Baja Blast to its main menu. In 2015, it was replaced by Orange Citrus Kickstart. In 2018, a zero-sugar variant of Baja Blast was released at Taco Bell, and in 2019, it was released at retail stores.
Some people on Reddit suggest doing the "sticky finger test". Dip your finger in the drink, and if it's sticky, it's the regular version. If not, it's the diet version. Another suggestion is to request that the person preparing the drink punches the "diet" blister on the drink lid to verify that it's the diet version.
There are several other flavors of Baja Blast, including alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and gelato. Some of the flavors are Baja Flash, Baja Punch, Baja Gold, Baja Mango Gem, Baja Deep Dive, Hard Baja Blast Pineapple, Hard Baja Blast Punch, and Hard Baja Blast Mango.
You can buy Baja Blast at Taco Bell restaurants and at retail stores.
