I, for one, hope this holiday-themed Dew trend continues. Hot on the heels of the oh-so-patriotic DEW.S.A. from earlier this summer, PepsiCo’s now hoisting Mountain Dew Holiday Brew on us, which could be the tip of the iceberg.
Why not release a special Dew variation for President’s Day called Grape-raham Lincoln? Or a special edition Mountain Dew Rosh Hashanah Raspberry while they’re at it? (I can see the tagline already – “you’ll want to Yom Kippur another one.”)
While we’re probably a few years away from that Thanksgiving tie-in Pecan Pie Mountain Dew or a special Saint Paddy’s brew (might I suggest the namesake Dew-U-I?), we can all take solace in the fact this year’s Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa/New Year’s/Wright Brothers Day-themed beverage ain’t too shabby.
As the product name and hue would lead you to believe, this special edition Holiday Brew is apparently one half Mountain Dew Code Red and one half regular old Dew. The beverage looks a little pinker than Code Red, though, and it doesn’t smell that much like either variation of Mountain Dew (I personally got a pureed cake batter vibe from mine, but your olfactory glands may detect something else.)
But taste-wise is where things get very interesting. As soon as the beverage hits your tongue, the taste is unmistakable – this stuff is Code Red Mountain Dew, straight up, with no additional flavorings. BUT when the aftertaste hits you, WHAM! It’s unmistakably the traditional green Dew flavor we’ve been slurping on forever. So we’ve got this downright bizarre mouthfeel thing going on where every five seconds or so, the flavor of the beverage shifts from Code Red to traditional Dew.
I can’t recall ever tasting a soda that did that, not even the aforementioned DEW.S.A. Whereas that tri-branded brew created a new synthesized flavor, the divergent flavors of Holiday Brew are pretty much locked in gustatory mortal combat – and that one-of-a-kind sensation might be worth purchasing the newfangled soda all by its lonesome.
Of course, if you never cared for either permutations of Dew in the past, I guess the prospects of Code Red Dew and normal Dew having a liquid kung fu fight on your tongue probably won’t convert you as a consumer.
I can’t say that Dew and Code Red Dew combined results in a better product than either as stand-alone beverages, but as far as Franken-sodas go, it’s still quite flavorful. That, and it opens the floodgates for even wackier novelty sodas in the future. Come on, Pepsi – you know you want to combine Pitch Black and LiveWire as All Hallow’s Eve Dew. You just KNOW you do. Or is that dew?
(Nutrition Facts – 20 ounces – 290 calories, 0 grams of fat, 110 milligrams of sodium, 77 grams of total carbohydrates, 77 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.)
Purchased Price: $1.49
Size: 20 oz. bottle
Purchased at: Circle K
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: The alternating citrus/cherry flavor is unlike anything you’ve probably tried before. It’s a very thick and filling beverage. The packaging is festive.
Cons: It really doesn’t taste any better than Code Red or regular Dew. The cross-pollinated flavors aren’t as harmonious as DEW.S.A. Wondering which two brands Pepsi’s going to merge together for the inevitable Bastille Day Berry.
This is a spot on review. When i first tried this i felt the same way regarding the battling flavors. its very cool indeed.
Oklahoma has been in this situation since last summer in the first place where a few more days walk through a new Yorker like the rest is in no time to be lost and it was not the first day to. But I don’t want a good idea of the year or a half for a lot more. I am not going anywhere in a year but I’m sure it is not just about my job and my life is a good idea to get the best out love for my kids to go and get a better education in a few weeks ok
Thanks for the review. Well put.
I never got the regular Dew after taste or any regular Dew taste at all. To me, it’s pretty much a very slightly watered down Code Red. I’m not complaining too much because I love Code Red, I’m just saying I don’t think the blend works as well as they intended. This is Code Red in a prettier package
Have to admit I hate Code Red. I’ve always found it to sweet to enjoy. That said I really do enjoy this Holiday Brew. It seems like the addition of regular Dew reduces the sweetness of the Code Red which makes the Holiday Brew enjoyable to me.
I have to agree with this review, when I tried the holiday Dew, I wasn’t sure what it was or that it was associated with those other flavors, I just thought it was delicious! A refreshing Holiday spirit blend!
It is soooo good! I’ve been going everywhere to buy them up wherever they’re left! Hope mt dew holiday brew is out for longer time!!!
I resemble that remark!
Mountain Dew Holiday Brew was a good drink. I hope it becomes a holiday tradition for years to come. I enjoyed drinking this during the holiday season, and stocked up on drink to last a few more months after the season.