Starry (drink)
Product type | Lemon-lime soft drink |
---|---|
Owner | PepsiCo |
Country | United States (US), Germany (DE) |
Introduced | January 1, 2023 |
Related brands |
|
Website | starrylemonlime.com |
Starry is a lemon-lime soft drink distributed by PepsiCo. Distribution began in January 2023. The brand is aimed at competing against Sprite and 7 Up. In January 2023, Starry replaced Sierra Mist as Pepsi's lemon-lime flavored drink, in part because Sierra Mist failed to gain market share in the growing category.[1][2] Starry contains no caffeine, and as of April 2023, is available in Regular and Zero-Sugar varieties.
History
[edit]In July 2022, it was reported that PepsiCo purchased a domain name for a new brand of lemon-lime drink that would eventually replace Sierra Mist.[3] The following month, in August 2022, the company filed for a trademark for the brand name Starry as well as for a logo.[4]
The brand began being distributed in stores in January 2023 with marketing geared towards Generation Z.[5][6] Bloomberg Businessweek reported industry analysts suggested a successful campaign to grab market share could mean taking 5–10% market share away from Sprite.[7]
Since the 2022–23 NBA season, Starry has been the sponsor of the annual Three-Point Contest as a part of All-Star weekend.[8] The sponsorship includes naming rights for the contest as well as two special "Starry Range" shot balls placed six feet behind the 3-point line. This partnership replaces Mountain Dew as the event's previous sponsor and "DEW Zone" as the special shot balls used during the contest.[9]
Starry is sold in cans in either 7.5 ounce or 12 ounce sizes, and in plastic bottles ranging in size from 16 ounces to two liters.[10] Since its inception, Starry has been composed of carbonated water, high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, natural flavor, and various preservatives.[11] Starry uses high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener, unlike Sierra Mist, which was sweetened using cane sugar before it was discontinued.[12]
Variations
[edit]Name | Flavor | Availability | Launch Date |
---|---|---|---|
Starry Lemon Lime | Lemon lime | Year-round | January 1, 2023 |
Starry Lemon Lime Zero Sugar | Lemon lime diet soda | ||
Starry Cranberry Blizz | Cranberry | Seasonal | November 4, 2024 |
Starry Cranberry Blizz Zero Sugar | Cranberry diet soda |
Reception
[edit]Reception to the drink on social media suggests many feel that Starry tastes similar to its predecessor Sierra Mist,[13] while others feel it tastes akin to Sprite, the longtime leader of the lemon-lime soft drink market.[14] Starry has been described as having a more prominent citrus flavor than Sierra Mist.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Simauchi, Kevin (January 11, 2023). "PepsiCo ends Sierra Mist, launches Starry to take on Sprite". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ Snider, Mike (January 13, 2023). "Goodbye, Sierra Mist. Hello to Starry, Pepsi's new lemon-lime soda to take on Sprite". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ Sanchez, Rudy (October 13, 2022). "PepsiCo Launches Starry, A New Lemon-Lime Soda For the Kids, AKA, Gen Z". Dieline. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ "Starry Lemon Lime – Trademark Application of Portfolio Concentrate Solutions Unlimited Company – Serial Number 97534420". trademarks.justia.com. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
- ^ Springer, Jon (January 6, 2023). "Pepsico to Launch New Sprite Competition to Target Gen Z". Ad Age.
- ^ "PepsiCo Partners". www.pepsicopartners.com. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
- ^ Pulley, Brett (April 21, 2023). "Sprite Is So Popular That Pepsi Launched a New Lemon-Lime War". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Martin, Brian. "All-Star 2023: Starry 3-Point Contest brings new twists". NBA.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Kidane, Benyam (February 18, 2023). "What is Starry Range? NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest adds special long-distance shots". Sporting News. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Soft Drinks | Beverages". www.pepsicopartners.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ "Starry". www.pepsicopartners.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Romero, Gabby (April 14, 2023). "We Taste-Tested Starry And Sierra Mist To See If They're Actually Different". Delish. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ DeBianchi, Antonia (January 12, 2023). "Pepsi Replaces Sierra Mist with New Citrus Soda Starry". Peoplemag. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ Lamour, Joseph (January 11, 2023). "RIP, Sierra Mist: Pepsi is ditching it for a new lemon-lime soda". TODAY.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.