Let’s just get it outta the way – I don’t know why it wasn’t called “Peepsi” either, but I’m sure Pepsi has a rule against altering its iconic name no matter the reason.
That being said, it wouldn’t shock me if this bizarre collaboration was borne out of one “hip” PepsiCo executive saying, “Peepsi would make bank, no cap.” To which his colleagues would’ve probably replied, “Greg, we’ve gone over this, we don’t change our name, and please stop saying that, caps are essential to our product.”
I’ve tried to avoid Peeps Pepsi discourse because I imagine it’s absolutely dripping with hyperbole. People who don’t like Peeps DESPISE Peeps. I’m just imagining everyone acting like this soda is an affront to everything holy. I just know that’s how it is… but I probably shouldn’t try to create a straw man, I should just go and grab a straw, man.
This review is already an affront to everything holy.
Alright, here’s what I’ll say about Peeps Pepsi – it’s almost ok.
I like the scent. I wouldn’t exactly say it screams Peeps, but it makes for a nice unique twist on the usual cola smell. Once that smell translates into taste, it starts to get weird.
If this was a mystery flavor, I think a decent chunk of guessers would land on “marshmallow,” but not necessarily “Marshmallow Peeps.” Maybe as a total shot in the dark guess at some kind of snack brand synergy we’re used to at this point. You can twist my arm and get me to admit it kinda reminds me of Peeps, but I expected more of a match.
It’s obviously super sweet, but I don’t think it’s a pleasant sweetness. This soda is loaded with sugar, but it still tastes like it’s made with an artificial sugar substitute. The marshmallow flavor comes across as a really cheap attempt at a mutant vanilla cola.
There are stages of flavor in every sip that I’ll try my best to explain because I rode the same emotional roller coaster as that woman in the famous kombucha meme.
There’s a moment in the mouthfeel process – let’s just pause for a second and cringe at the fact I just wrote, “mouthfeel process.” – where it seems undrinkable. For a second, it tastes like the smell of an artificial “cake” scented candle or something.
There’s basically a film that materializes after the effervescent bubbles burn off and before the lingering “vanilla icing” aftertaste bursts in. It’s as if you momentarily ingested a buttery lotion. I felt like I was drinking a lesser brand’s attempt to clone a Pepsi Vanilla or something. I never really got to “Peeps,” even after literally comparing it to an actual Peep.
Ultimately, it’s pure novelty and Peeps-adjacent at best. Without the weirdness I attempted to articulate, I might even tell you to go for it. It’s not nearly as vile as I imagine some people will tell you it is, but it’s not even close to being really good either. Both of these products work better on their own.
I like Pepsi and I like (stale) Peeps, so I’m not mad I tried it. Seriously though, I like my Peeps marshmal dente. I want them to taste like a hard memory foam pillow covered in sand. That’s how I like my Peeps, but I definitely don’t need to have them in soda form ever again.
Purchased Price: $2.28
Size: 20 oz
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 Bottle) 260 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 55 milligrams of sodium, 69 grams of carbohydrates, 69 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.
The marshmallow taste in this needed to be cranked up almost 5 times the amount to really be noticeable. It was barely there. So far my favorite flavor from Pepsi oddly was the Salted Caramel flavor.
I agree completely with you on this that the Marshmallow taste needed to be cranked up. I barely got a hint of it and the closest I could come in comparison is a vanilla pepsi.
You couldn’t taste the god awful marshmallow flavoring? Might want to get your tastebuds checked out.
Actually I could taste the good marshmallow flavoring…it is definitely not “god awful”
It’s undrinkable.
I’m in the minority here, but I really love this flavor! If they made a zero sugar version I’d drink it all day and all night long.
I’m with you. Been enjoying it here and got another baby case today at the store.
I would totally buy this all the time and use it as a mixer for summer drinks if it was zero sugar
I’m finally trying this now. Have to say – yeah, I actually like the taste of this diabetes-inducing bottle of liquid death.
Think it appeals more than these latest Coke flavors.
Another great review, Vin! If this came in a zero sugar version, I’d definitely give it a try because I love anything that tastes like marshmallow. But even greater was your witty use of “marshmal dente” – pure genius! Pepsi should be calling YOU for creative inspiration!
As someone that only drinks full sugar soad on rare occasions when there’s no zero sugar option, this one surprised me. I expected it to be sickeningly sweet, but it wasn’t. I expected any discernable Peeps flavor to really be an approximation, but it was shockingly accurate and not overpowering. If that one coke was meant to taste like roasted marshmallows, this one was that minus the eerily distinct “singed sugar” taste.
If there was a zero sugar option I would definitely drink it again.
I just wish Pepsi would bring back Pepsi Lemon. I loved that when it was out.
I liked Pepsi Lemon as well. So I made my own by squeezing some juice of a lemon (to taste) and it turned out better than the original.
As someone who doesn’t really care for Pepsi, and never eats Peeps…I find this to actually be pretty good. As others have said, it’s not nearly as sweet as I imagined it would be, and the Peeps flavor lingers nicely. I might actually buy a few more before they discontinue them.
Please give Brittany Broski more credit than “that woman in the meme.”
I tasted perfectly toasted marshmallow in this drink. I would buy this flavor again! I normally have soda a few times a year, so not a big fan of sugary drinks. I’m glad this isn’t available all year.
I think that Peepsi is a solid 7/10! It felt very…thick, in a way. It was so sweet, that I kind of felt like I was drinking syrup. Other than that, I think it was really unique and tasty!