Diet Pepsi has surpassed all other diet cola’s as the number one diet cola in the world. It’s origins were actually in 1964 when Diet Pepsi was first introduced as a sugarless variety. The Diet Pepsi evolution can be traced to the need to compete with the Coca Cola Company in the true flavor cola diet soft drink arena. Coca-Cola’s first sugar-free drink introduced in 1963 was Tab with the advent of artificial sweeteners. It developed a sizeable market share as the only national diet cola in the mass market. For that reason Tab is considered the first inspiration in the ultimate Diet Pepsi Evolution.
In 1982 Coca Cola introduced Diet Coke which was not a diet version of Coke, but rather a whole new flavor. It quickly became the #4 soft drink in America behind only Coke, Pepsi, and 7-Up. It’s quick rise into major market share resulted in Coca Cola reformulating their “Classic” Coke into New Coke, and the rapid launch of several diet cola varieties by Pepsi.
Diet Pepsi introduced in 1964. Pepsi Light, which added a lemon flavor to hide the artifical sweetener after-taste, was introduced in 1978. A caffeine-free Pepsi and Diet Pepsi were then added and know as Diet Pepsi Free, and finally changed to Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi
The classic mix of cherry-cola was added as Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry in 1990, and followed by newer flavors of Diet Pepsi Twist (which saw lemon re-introduced), and Diet Pepsi Vanilla. The most recent flavor to date is the Diet Pepsi Lime . . .
Additional exotic varieties of reduced calorie Diet Pepsi have been tried. The clear version of Diet Crystal Pepsi, The One-Calorie Pepsi One, the Splenda variety Pepsi Edge, and even a coffee flavor cola mix called Pepsi Kona. Recently added is a 50% calorie “transition” diet called Pepsi XL.
Currently Diet Pepsi is at an all time high of product variety, market share, and product placement. Recent varieties include three flavors of Diet Pepsi Jazz released to concide with Superman Returns. Mixtures include cola as the primary flavor with: Strawberry & Cream, Black Cherry & French Vanilla, and released in Spring of 2007, Caramel Cream …
all sweetened with aspartame.
SuperClassic Features
The Evolution of Diet Pepsi: 1963 to 2007 ...
Reflections of Our Times
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Memories & Impressions of an Era
With the energy and lo-carb craze hitting full swing in the Summer of 2007, Pepsi’s long awaited energy drink hit the market in full stride. Welcome Diet Pepsi Max with twice the caffeine, zero calories, and ginseng!
The “Invigorating Energy Soda”