In 1898, chemist Caleb Bradham created Pepsi-Cola, a carbonated cola drink crafted to refresh and energize customers of his New Bern, NC, drugstore. Today the Pepsi trademark includes Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi MAX and Pepsi NEXT.
Created in Tennessee in the late 1940s, Mountain Dew quickly became a regional favorite for its one-of-a-kind citrus taste. We acquired the brand in 1964 and it has since become the No. 1 flavored carbonated soft drink in measured channels in the US.
Pepsi became the first national cola to offer a no-calorie option to consumers when Diet Pepsi was introduced in 1964.
In 1991, PepsiCo teamed up with Unilever LLC to launch Lipton ready-to-drink iced teas. Today the Pepsi/Lipton Partnership offers a full range of unsweetened, no-calorie, low-calorie and sweetened iced teas under the Lipton Iced Tea, Brisk and Pure Leaf brands.
In 1994, we entered a joint venture with Starbucks to market ready-to-drink coffee under the North American Coffee Partnership. Product offerings include bottled Starbucks Frappuccino, Starbucks Doubleshot, Starbucks Refreshers, Starbucks Iced Coffees and Starbucks Discoveries.
In 1994, PepsiCo entered the bottled water market with Aquafina, which is purified using a proprietary seven-step reverse osmosis process known as Hydro-7 to guarantee purity and taste.
In 1998, we acquired Tropicana, including Dole juice brands, making PepsiCo the leader in the 100% juice and juice drink category.
In 2000, as consumers were looking to get more than refreshment from their beverages, we acquired SoBe Teas and Elixirs a range of drinks that offer unique flavor blends combined with vitamins and botantical ingredients.
In 2001, we acquired Gatorade, the original sports performance drink. With a scientifically proven blend of carbohydrates and key electrolytes, Gatorade Thirst Quencher is designed for use in the moment of activity to help athletes hydrate, refuel and push through.
Propel water, launched by Gatorade in 2002, is a good source of vitamins C, E and B6 and provides calorie-free refreshment.
In 2006, we acquired IZZE Sparkling juice drinks. The Naked Juice line of premium juice and smoothie beverages joined the PepsiCo family the following year.
Cola drinkers learned it was possible to get bold cola taste with zero calories with the launch of Pepsi MAX in 2007.
In 2008, we broke new ground with the launch of 0-Calorie SoBe Lifewater and Trop50, two of the first nationally available beverages sweetened with Stevia Extract.
In 2008, we began distributing Tazo Iced Tea, which offers a range of sweetened, lightly sweetened and unsweetened ready-to-drink teas.
In 2013, we continued to expand low-calorie options with products like Mountain Dew Kickstart (the great taste of DEW plus real fruit juice and an energizing kick all for just 80 calories per can), Starbucks Iced Coffee (cool coffee refreshment at just 110 calories per bottle) and Lipton Pure Leaf Not Too Sweet Teas (lightly-sweetened tea brewed from real tea leaves, at only 100 calories per bottle).
In 2014, we brought consumers Caleb's Kola, a unique kola crafted by a passionate group of kola lovers using ingredients from around the world.
2016 marked the launch of zero-calorie products like Propel Electrolyte Water, Aquafina Sparkling and Pepsi Zero Sugar and premium beverages such as Pure Leaf Tea House Collection and 1893 from the Makers of Pepsi-Cola.
2017 brought the launches of LIFEWTR, a purified water merging hydration and premium design; Tropicana Essentials Probiotics, the first mainstream probiotic juice; Naked Pressed Botanical Juices, cold pressing the highest quality fruits and vegetables with botanical ingredients; Gatorade Flow, a bold flavor and smooth finish with all of the fuel of Gatorade Thirst Quencher; and KeVita, a leader in fermented probiotic and kombucha beverages.
In 2018 we introduced bubly, a flavored sparkling water with no artificial flavors, sweeteners or calories; Mtn Dew Ice, a clear, refreshing lemon-lime DEW with 100 calories per 12 ounces; Tropicana Coco Blends, a juice drink with no artificial flavors, sweeteners and 10% coconut water; and Tropicana Kids, a certified USDA Organic premium fruit juice drink made with 45% real fruit juice and mixed with filtered water, with no artificial flavors or added sweeteners.