Many a taco-lover has revelled in the magical combination of a Crunchwrap Supreme and a fruity, refreshing Baja Blast. However, few have stopped to question how this heavenly combo came to be. Some prefer to leave it a mystery and simply enjoy the medley of flavors, but we find that understanding the story behind a favorite food or drink makes it all the more delicious.
When it comes to Baja Blasts, the story involves a historical moment for the fast food industry and a genius combination of flavors that garnered a whole lot of sales and a cult following. Here's the history behind this beloved Taco Bell drink and where to buy it to enjoy its tropical, addicting flavor.
What is Baja Blast?
Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavored soft drink under the Mountain Dew brand. Along with being a refreshing drink that tastes amazing with your favorite Taco Bell order, this soda is special for being the first soft drink sold exclusively at a fast food chain. Although this has since changed, Baja Blast was originally only available at Taco Bell, making it a special for its limited accessibility. Here's the history of this beloved soft drink and where you can enjoy it today.
The Story Behind the Baja Blast
Taco Bell
This tropical lime Pepsico drink was first released in August 2004 and was only available at Taco Bell locations throughout the United States, marking the first time in history that a beverage company and fast food chain had united to create a proprietary beverage. As we know now, the results were amazing.
The blue-green soft drink was created specifically to pair with Mexican-inspired food, which is why it tastes so darn delicious when being guzzled down with a Beefy Melt Burrito in hand. Along with being created to pair with Taco Bell items, it was designed with the goal of increasing drive-thru beverage sales.
Baja Blast was magical in its ability to win the hearts of both Taco Bell customers and Mountain Dew lovers. Because of this, it gained a cult following in the years after its creation. The drink's popularity led it to eventually be released in stores in bottles and cans in 2014, allowing more of its fans to enjoy it whenever the craving hits.
Baja Blast lovers don't adore this drink for its nutritious value, but for its beautiful oceanic color and its sweet, tropical flavor. If you're on a diet or looking to cut back on artificial flavors, you'll want to stick with water or iced tea. However, for those who are in it for the taste and not the nutritional value, the Baja Blast is the perfect drink to wash down your Taco Bell with
Baja Blast Flavors and Where to Buy Them
There have been many iterations of the original Baja Blast over the years, from Baja Flash to Baja Punch to Baja Blast Zero Sugar. However, only a few flavors are available at any given time, and this summer fans will get to enjoy Baja Blast, Baja Mango Gem, and Baja Gold. In June 2022, Mountain Dew will be releasing Baja Blast, Baja Mango Gem and Baja Gold in stores. Fans will be able to find the sweet beverages on shelves in department stores like Target and Walmart, along with most grocery stores. You can also experience Baja Blast Zero Sugar at Taco Bell, ideal for those looking to cut back on sugar.
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Baja Blast is the classic tropical lime flavor that Taco Bell fans know and love, but Baja Mango Gem and Baja Gold are switching it up from the original. Baja Mango adds a mango twist to the original flavor, while Baja Gold will have notes of sweet pineapple. I don't know about you, but nothing sounds more like summer than sipping on a pineapple-flavored soft drink while savoring a Burrito Supreme.
Baja Blast Flavors of the Past
Although there are only three available flavors at the moment, Baja Blast has been around for almost two decades, and fans remember the flavors that have come and gone. Here are all the past flavors of this well-loved soft drink:
- Baja Blast Freeze
- Baja Blast Twisted Freeze
- Baja Blast Birthday Freeze
- Baja Blast Cherry Smash Freeze
- Baja Blast Colada Freeze
- Diet Baja Blast
- Baja Blast Non-Alcoholic Bubbly
- Baja Blast Zero Sugar
- Hard Mountain Dew Baja Blast
- Mountain Dew Energy (Baja Blast)
- Baja Punch
- Baja Flash
This post was originally published on November 29, 2021.
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FAQs
Mountain Dew Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavored soft drink created for Taco Bell restaurants. Since the original flavor's launch in 2004, the Baja Blast brand has since expanded to include new flavors, alcoholic beverages, and energy drinks, as well as merchandise.
Why is Baja Blast exclusive to Taco Bell? ›
Baja Blast was first released in early August 2004, exclusively at Taco Bell locations in the United States. It marked the first time a beverage company and a fast-food restaurant have created a proprietary beverage. The drink was specifically designed to taste best for their Mexican-inspired food.
How long will Baja Blast be in stores in 2024? ›
To mark its 20th anniversary, the beloved beverage will now be available beyond the taco chain, at retail stores nationwide all year long. It looks like 2024 (welcome to it) is going to be a big year for fans of Mountain Dew Baja Blast.
What does Baja Blast contain? ›
CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVES FRESHNESS), CAFFEINE, GUM ARABIC, SODIUM CITRATE, CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT FLAVOR), SUCROSE ACETATE ISOBUTYRATE, YELLOW 5, BLUE 1.
What flavor is tropical? ›
Tropical flavors consist of one or more tropical fruits – typically a combination of two or more. These include passion fruit, coconut, pineapple, mango, orange, and mandarin.
What are the two new Baja flavors? ›
The yellow-colored Laguna Lemonade flavor, to be more specific, is mango lemonade, and the reddish-pink Point Break Punch is based on a classic fruit punch flavor.
Who is the Baja Blast girl? ›
Wow!' ”Aubrey Plaza began with an excited smile and laugh when discussing the call she received to be in a Super Bowl commercial for Mountain Dew Baja Blast. “I must've done something right this year.” It was an opposite retort of what fans of the “Parks and Rec” deadpan delight would typically expect.
Is Baja Blast leaving Taco Bell? ›
Mountain Dew Baja Blast, the popular beverage once sold exclusively at Taco Bell, will be sold in stores nationwide this month and, for the first time, will be available throughout all of 2024.
Is Baja Blast going to be permanent? ›
However, it has never been officially added to the regular lineup—until now, anyway. "Well it's about forking time if you ask me🙌🏻 In celebration of the 20th Bajaversary, Mountain Dew Baja Blast will be a permanent flavor in 2024!!" fast food influencer @Markie_Devo announced via a Dec. 29 Instagram post.
Is Baja Blast 20 years old? ›
PepsiCo announced that Mountain Dew's Baja Blast will be returning to stores across the country in honor of its 20th anniversary. Mountain Dew's Baja Blast officially turns 20 years old, according to Pepsico.
Fans of Baja Blast can celebrate throughout 2024. The Mountain Dew flavor started as a Taco Bell exclusive in 2004. As it grew in popularity over the years, PepsiCo released limited quantities in stores on a seasonal basis. For the most part, though, quenching your thirst for Baja Blast meant making a Taco Bell run.
Is Baja Blast still exclusive? ›
- Mountain Dew Baja Blast, the fan-favorite drink once sold exclusively at Taco Bell, is hitting U.S. grocery stores nationwide and will be available throughout the entirety of 2024.
How unhealthy is a Baja Blast? ›
It is a sugary soft drink that is high in calories and contains added artificial sweeteners. The main reason why a Baja Blast is unhealthy is due to its sugar content. There are 59 grams of sugar for a 16 ounce drink. According to AHA, The recommended amount per day is around 36 grams maximum.
What flavor is mt dew? ›
Description. Original Mountain Dew is a citrus-flavored soda. The soft drink is unique because it includes a small amount of orange juice.
What flavor is code red? ›
Mountain Dew Code Red is a cherry-flavored carbonated soft drink that was introduced in 2001 as a flavor extension of the original Mountain Dew. This addition marked the first time that the brand had ventured beyond its flagship flavor on a large scale.
What flavors are in Baja Blast drinks? ›
Baja Blast Mix Pack
- Baja Blast Punch.
- Baja Blast.
- Baja Blast Mango.
- Baja Blast Pineapple.
- Baja Blast Punch.
- Baja Blast.
2023
- Baja Caribbean Splash, Baja with Guava flavor. ...
- Baja Passionfruit Punch, Baja with Passionfruit flavor. ...
- Hard Baja Blast Punch, an alcoholic Baja drink with Punch flavor. ...
- Hard Baja Blast Mango, an alcoholic Baja drink with Mango flavor. ...
- Hard Baja Blast Pineapple, an alcoholic Baja drink with Pineapple flavor.
Mountain Dew Code Red is a cherry-flavored carbonated soft drink that was introduced in 2001 as a flavor extension of the original Mountain Dew. This addition marked the first time that the brand had ventured beyond its flagship flavor on a large scale.
What flavor is Baja Blast hot sauce? ›
Launched in partnership with Houston sauce shop iBurn, the hot sauce blends the tropical lime taste of Mtn Dew Baja Blast with fiery habanero peppers, green chiles, tomatillos and jalapenos. Be warned that this spicy sauce is going to be in super-hot demand — because it will be in very short supply.
