Pepsi launches ‘softer’ soft drink with new nitro-infused cola. When you can get it
Pepsi is putting a “softer” spin on a classic cola that fans have grown to love over the last several decades.
The New York-based beverage brand announced the launch of its first nitrogen-infused soda, fittingly dubbed Nitro Pepsi. The new drink, which promises a “creamy, smooth” taste and “mesmerizing cascade of tiny bubbles,” will hit stores nationwide on March 28, according to a company news release.
It comes in two flavors — Draft Cola and Vanilla Draft Cola — and is available for preorder on Walmart.com starting Wednesday, Feb. 23. Pepsi lovers can enjoy a single-serve can or pick up a four-count variety pack once they hit store shelves.
So what makes Nitro Pepsi so different from classic Pepsi? The secret lies in a “unique widget” built into the bottom of every can, the company said.
“This is the first time this type of widget technology, often seen in beer and coffee products, is being applied to the cola category and creates the frothy, foamy, smooth texture unique to Nitro Pepsi,” according to the release.
To achieve the optimal silky, smooth taste, Pepsi said the new nitro drink is best served “hard poured” into a tall glass with no ice. Also, ditch the straw. This drink is meant to be enjoyed by the glass or sipped straight from the can.
“While soda has been a beverage of choice for so many consumers over the past century, some people still cite heavy carbonation as a barrier to enjoying an ice-cold cola,” Todd Kaplan, vice president of marketing for Pepsi, said in a statement. “Nitro Pepsi is a first-of-its-kind innovation that creates a smooth, creamy, delicious taste experience for fans everywhere.”
“Much like how nitrogen has transformed the beer and coffee categories, we believe Nitro Pepsi is a huge leap forward for the cola category and will redefine cola for years to come,” Kaplan said.
Pepsi is just the latest cola brand to reimagine its iconic soft drink.
Last week, Coca-Cola introduced a limited-edition “Starlight” flavor that’s rumored to taste like the campfire favorite s’mores, CNN reported. Coke offered its own description of the mystery flavor, which was inspired by space and “fuses signature Coca‑Cola taste with unexpected touches, including a reddish hue and cooling taste sensation evoking the feeling of a journey to space,” according to a news release.
This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Pepsi launches ‘softer’ soft drink with new nitro-infused cola. When you can get it."