The current PepsiCo version of Sprite is Starry.
Starry is a lemon-lime flavored soft drink introduced by PepsiCo in January 2023. According to the provided reference, Starry was specifically launched to compete in the lemon-lime soda market, directly aiming to challenge established brands like Sprite (owned by Coca-Cola) and 7 Up (owned by Keurig Dr Pepper/PepsiCo depending on the region).
Pepsi's Lemon-Lime Evolution
PepsiCo has had several lemon-lime sodas over the years. Before Starry, their primary offering in this category was Sierra Mist.
Key Changes in Pepsi's Lemon-Lime Portfolio
- Starry replaces Sierra Mist: In January 2023, Starry officially replaced Sierra Mist as Pepsi's main lemon-lime flavored drink in the United States. This change was made in part because Sierra Mist had struggled to gain significant market share in the growing lemon-lime category against its competitors.
- Target Audience: Starry is often marketed towards a younger demographic, similar to how Sprite positions itself.
Here's a simple comparison:
| Company | Current Lemon-Lime Soda | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PepsiCo | Starry | Replaced Sierra Mist in Jan 2023 |
| Coca-Cola | Sprite | Long-standing market leader |
| KDP/Pepsi | 7 Up | Varies by region, also a competitor |
Starry is PepsiCo's latest effort to capture a larger segment of the popular lemon-lime soda market, serving as their direct answer to Sprite.
