What Happened to Sierra Mist? Why did They Discontinue Sierra Mist?

What is Sierra Mist?

Sierra Mist, a lemon-lime flavored soft drink line, was introduced by PepsiCo in 1999. It initially entered the market as a healthier option compared to other lemon-lime sodas like Sprite and 7 Up. Sierra Mist distinguished itself by being caffeine-free and sweetened with a blend of high-fructose corn syrup and sugar.

After an initial release in select markets, Sierra Mist expanded its availability nationwide in 2003. The drink experienced early success but faced declining sales in the late 2000s. This decline was influenced by the growing popularity of healthier beverage alternatives, including flavored waters and sparkling waters.

In 2016, PepsiCo attempted to rebrand Sierra Mist as “Mist Twst” to convey its refreshing and playful characteristics. However, the rebranding did not resonate with consumers, and Sierra Mist’s sales continued to decline.

In 2018, PepsiCo decided to revert the brand name back to Sierra Mist. Despite this change, the brand faced ongoing challenges and was ultimately discontinued in early 2024. PepsiCo introduced Starry as the replacement, a new lemon-lime soft drink sweetened with stevia.

Sierra Mist was introduced in 1999 as a lemon-lime-flavored soft drink. It was a caffeine-free beverage that was sweetened using a combination of high-fructose corn syrup and sugar. Originally, Sierra Mist was positioned in the market as a healthier alternative to other lemon-lime sodas. However, after a successful run, it was ultimately discontinued in early 2024. As a replacement, PepsiCo introduced a new lemon-lime soft drink called Starry.

What Happened to Sierra Mist?

Sierra Mist, a lemon-lime flavored soft drink line, was initially introduced by PepsiCo in 1999. By 2003, it became available in all markets across the United States. In 2016, the drink underwent a rebranding as “Mist Twst,” only to revert back to the original name, Sierra Mist, in 2018. However, in early 2024, Sierra Mist was replaced by a new beverage called Starry.

There were several factors contributing to the discontinuation of Sierra Mist. Firstly, the brand struggled to establish a distinct position in the market and remained overshadowed by Sprite, the leading lemon-lime soft drink. Secondly, PepsiCo made various changes to the formula over the years, causing confusion among consumers. Lastly, the increasing popularity of healthier beverage alternatives played a role in Sierra Mist’s decline.

PepsiCo introduced Starry as a replacement for Sierra Mist, hoping to achieve greater success. Starry offers a different flavor profile compared to Sierra Mist and is sweetened with stevia, a natural sweetener. While it is too early to determine the outcome, PepsiCo aims for Starry to compete with Sprite successfully.

Initially, Sierra Mist enjoyed strong sales and became a popular choice for those seeking a refreshing citrus-flavored soda. However, the brand faced declining sales in the early 2010s due to intensified competition from other beverage brands. In an attempt to revive the brand, Sierra Mist was rebranded as Mist Twst in 2016, featuring a new formula and design.

Despite the rebranding effort, Mist Twst continued to struggle in the market, ultimately leading to PepsiCo’s decision to discontinue the brand entirely in early 2024. This decision likely stemmed from a desire to concentrate on more successful brands within PepsiCo’s beverage portfolio, such as Pepsi, Gatorade, and Mountain Dew.

Why Did They Discontinue Sierra Mist?

PepsiCo made the decision to discontinue Sierra Mist due to its inability to keep pace with competitors and its ongoing decline in sales. Introduced in 1999 as a lemon-lime soda, Sierra Mist aimed to compete against Sprite and 7-Up, both owned by Coca-Cola.

In the beginning, the brand experienced strong sales, resonating with consumers seeking a healthier option compared to other sugary soft drinks. However, as the beverage market became more saturated and rival lemon-lime soda brands emerged, Sierra Mist struggled to maintain its market share.

In an attempt to revitalize the brand, PepsiCo rebranded Sierra Mist as Mist Twst in 2016, introducing a new formula and logo. Despite these efforts, Mist Twst continued to face challenges with sales, ultimately leading to PepsiCo’s decision to discontinue the brand entirely in early 2024.

PepsiCo recognized the need for a fresh approach and introduced a new lemon-lime soda called Starry as a replacement. The company aims to challenge the dominance of Coca-Cola’s Sprite in the lemon-lime soda category with the introduction of Starry.

The discontinuation of Sierra Mist reflects the competitive nature of the beverage industry and the need for brands to adapt to changing consumer preferences. PepsiCo’s decision to launch Starry signifies their commitment to offering a compelling alternative to Sprite and other lemon-lime sodas, as they strive to capture the attention and loyalty of consumers in this highly competitive market segment.

Who Owns Sierra Mist?

PepsiCo, the owner of Sierra Mist, made the decision to discontinue the brand in early 2024. It was replaced by a new lemon-lime soda called Starry. However, PepsiCo still retains ownership of the Sierra Mist brand name and may potentially use it for future product offerings.

Sierra Mist was initially introduced in 1999 as a healthier alternative to other lemon-lime soft drinks like Sprite and 7 Up. It distinguished itself by being caffeine-free and sweetened with a combination of high-fructose corn syrup and sugar.

Initially, Sierra Mist was available in select markets, but its distribution expanded nationwide in 2003. The brand achieved initial success but faced a decline in sales during the late 2000s. This was attributed, in part, to the growing popularity of healthier beverage options, including flavored waters and sparkling waters.

In an attempt to reinvigorate the brand, PepsiCo rebranded Sierra Mist as “Mist Twist” in 2016, aiming to highlight the drink’s refreshing and playful character. Unfortunately, the rebranding did not lead to a turnaround in sales, and Sierra Mist’s decline continued.

In 2018, PepsiCo decided to revert to the original Sierra Mist name. Despite this change, the brand continued to face challenges, ultimately leading to its discontinuation in early 2024. Starry, the new lemon-lime soft drink sweetened with stevia, was introduced as a replacement for Sierra Mist. PepsiCo aims to position Starry as a competitor to popular brands like Sprite and 7 Up.

The decision to discontinue Sierra Mist and introduce Starry reflects PepsiCo’s ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and maintain competitiveness in the beverage market