Code Red is a Mountain Dew flavor released in stores in May 2001 as a permanent flavor in the United States. During its release, it proved to be massively successful. This introduction alone increased overall Mountain Dew sales by 6% in its first year, eventually leading to the creation of multiple other flavors in the 2000s.
Description
Code Red is a Cherry flavor of Mountain Dew. It is red in color (as its name implies), with a flavor profile comparable to the 2017 Christmas flavor, Holiday Brew.
Tagline
Its previous tagline was "DEW with a Rush of Cherry Flavor with Other Natural Flavors." while its 2025 redesign tagline is "Cherry Flavor with Other Natural Flavors."
History
On September 21st, 2000, PepsiCo filed[1] a trademark name for Code Red titled "MTN DEW CODE RED."
In March 2001[2], Mountain Dew's website held an online racing game called "Mission: Code Red."[3] After the top-scoring winners won the online racing game with high enough points, the winners acquired a box of free Code Red merchandise containing a "you won" letter, a Code Red shirt, and a six-pack of bottles to be one of the first to sample. The letter revealed that Code Red is "Coming to a store near you in May," signifying a planned release in May 2001.
It was officially released in stores in May 2001 nationwide in the United States as a permanent flavor and was available in various sizes such as 20-ounce bottles, 24-ounce bottles, 2-liter bottles, 3-liter bottles, 12-packs, 24-packs, and was also available in Slurpee[4] form exclusively for a few years until 2005[5].
When Code Red was first released in the United States, its introduction increased overall Mountain Dew sales by 6%[6] in its first year, eventually spurred to the creation of multiple other flavors such as Blue Shock Freeze in June 2002, LiveWire in Summer 2003, Baja Blast as a Taco Bell exclusive in July 2004, Pitch Black in Halloween 2004, and so on.
Variants
Diet Code Red
After its first successful year on store shelves, Diet Code Red was released in May 2002[7], similar to how Caffeine-Free Mountain Dew, Red, and Sport all received Diet versions before Code Red came along.
In March 2019, Diet Code Red was discontinued, along with several other underperforming flavors, including Real Sugar, Pitch Black, Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry), White Out, Caffeine-Free Mountain Dew, and Caffeine-Free Diet Mountain Dew, in most regions.
Currently, Real Sugar in glass bottles is still being produced on the East Coast. Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) returns annually for a limited time, while Caffeine-Free Diet Mountain Dew and Code Red Zero Sugar are still available, although their availability varies by region. Pitch Black is currently a Franchise Exclusive flavor only at 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes gas stations. Both White Out and Caffeine-Free Mountain Dew have been entirely discontinued.
Diet Code Red was discontinued in January 2022 and replaced by Code Red Zero Sugar.
Code Red Zero Sugar
On September 12th, 2021, a render of Code Red Zero Sugar leaked online. This variation had no release date but as planned to replace Diet Code Red. It was unspecified whether it would retain Diet Code Red's region exclusive status. In November that year, it appeared in a Mountain Dew commercial[8], showing that it would be releasing soon.
It was released in January 2022, but only in the same regional markets as Diet Code Red. A national release was planned for the following March, but this has since been cancelled.
In January 2025[9], Code Red and Code Red Zero Sugar SodaStream syrups were released. This release is the closest to having Code Red Zero Sugar available nationwide. It was originally planned for a nationwide release in March 2022, but that release was canceled for reasons that remain unclear.
Mountain Dew Energy (Code Red)
- Main article: Mountain Dew Energy (Code Red)
In May 2022, a trustworthy PepsiCo employee on the Dew Drinker Discord leaked that Code Red ENERGY plans to be released in a September 2022 release window.
In June 2022, a photograph was posted in a post[10] on the r/MountainDew Reddit displaying a 16-ounce test can of it on a wooden floor.
It was officially released in stores in September 2022 throughout the United States for a limited time in 16-ounce cans until October 2022. After its original run, it was planned to be released in 2023 in the same limited-time release slot but was canceled at the last minute[11].
It was the second Mountain Dew Energy variation based on an existing flavor.
Hard Code Red Variant
- Main article: Hard Code Red
On October 4th, 2023[12], it was leaked by Team Supernova[13] that Hard Code Red was announced at the NACS show, which plans to be released in February 2024 to replace Hard Watermelon in the variety pack and the 24-ounce cans.
It was delayed until February 2025[14], when it was spotted in the state of New York and expected to have more of a massive release scale later on.
International release
Canada
2002 - 2005 release
In 2002[15], Code Red was introduced into Canada. Unlike the U.S. version, it was sold without caffeine due to laws preventing caffeine from being added to non-dark soft drinks. It was known as "Code Rouge" in Canadian French.
It was discontinued in 2005 due to potentially low sales.
2013, 2014 - 2019 DEWmocracy Canada and permanent release
- Main article: DEWmocracy Canada
In March 2013, a voting promotion called DEWmocracy Canada was announced. The candidates were Voltage, Supernova, Code Red, and White Out. The French name "Code Rogue" was retired from its previous release, making "Code Red" the sole name for both languages. Code Red lost to Voltage in the first round, and there was a second round called Back by Popular DEWmand, in which Code Red won, making it a permanent flavor in Canada.
On May 4th, 2019, the official Canadian Mountain Dew Twitter account announced[16] that Code Red ceased production in bottles and cans.
2021 - Present Circle K Fountain/Froster exclusive release
In April 2021, it was reported[17] that Code Red was released as an exclusive Circle K fountain drink flavor, with a Froster Freeze variation coming later in June 2021.[18] This release replaced Berry Twister as the new Circle K-exclusive flavor as confirmed by Canadian Mountain Dew's social networking team.
It is currently unconfirmed that Fountain/Froster Freeze Code Red received any new formulation or updated packaging design to coincide with the March 2024 release of Code Red in bottles.
2024 - Present nationwide release
On March 9th, 2024, it was confirmed on the Dew Drinker Discord from the Canadian 7-Eleven website[19] that Code Red would be planning to have a re-release in Canada with a new formulation.
The official Canadian Mountain Dew Facebook account teased Code Red in various posts from March 12th to the announcement on March 25th, 2024.[20]
From March 2024 to April 2024[21], Mountain Dew Canada sent out various Code Red-themed care packages consisting of a greeting card, a bucket hat, three 20-ounce bottles, and a shirt to Canadian fans to charge up the return of Code Red.
In addition, the official Canadian Mountain Dew Facebook account also teased a Fortnite collab[22] with Team Unite that challenged players to face off against a gigantic monster named Meg[23], slowly approaching the city, forcing players to pick a side: defend the city or help Meg capture it.
The Philippines
Around the early 2000s, Code Red was sold in The Philippines in glass and plastic bottles for a short time.
In December 2019, it was released exclusively to Filipino 7-Eleven convenience stores as a Slurpee for a promotion based on Mobile Legends[24], a mobile game for phones and tablets. Like its predecessor, this was also a limited time release.
Iraq
Around 2004/2005 (the same time as its release in The Philippines), Code Red was also released in Iraq[25], and was available in bottles and cans for a limited time.
South Korea
Code Red was released in South Korea as "마운틴 듀 코드 레드" (Mountain Dew Code Red) on March 24th, 2005, which coincided with a promotion that billed attendees to win products.[26] The drink was sold in 250ml (8-ounce) cans and 500ml (16.9-ounce) bottles.
This particular release isn't as comprehended, and its information is obscure as little is known. It is likely that it was discontinued sometime in the Mid-2000s, as it was available when Wild Black was on the shelves in 2006.
New Zealand and Australia
- Main article: Code Red (Berry)
Code Red was first released in New Zealand in 2010[27] as a limited time offering. The following year, Mountain Dew New Zealand decided to make it permanent.[28] This version of Code Red features a different flavor. Unlike the usual classic cherry flavor found in all other countries where it was released, this release features Berry flavoring instead of Cherry flavoring.
In 2014, Code Red was released for a limited time in Australia under the Mountain Dew Energised name as part of an X-Men: Days of Future Past promotion. Much like the New Zealand variant, the flavor used in New Zealand is Berry instead of Cherry. It was available from April until September of that year.
Germany
In 2010, Code Red was released in Germany in 500ml (16.9-ounce) bottles in gas stations and convenience stores. After a year, the bottle changed from a clear look to light red. It was silently discontinued in 2016 due to low sales.
Trivia
- One of the most successful flavor variations in Mountain Dew history, Code Red is the brand's first modern release, and instantly became one of its most popular flavors. Code Red's success was a major reason for Mountain Dew's massive family of flavors. This includes LiveWire in 2003, Baja Blast in 2004, and other multiple notable flavors in subsequent years.
- After the introduction of Code Red in 2001, PepsiCo released a "Berry Cola Fusion" soda named Pepsi Blue the following year in response to Code Red's success.[29] After the introduction of Pepsi Blue in 2002, many other companies began to expand their flavor lineup to compete or introduce additional flavors that might resonate with consumers during the 2000s. Here are some notable releases:
- After the release of Pepsi Blue in May 2002, The Coca-Cola Company was prompted to release a Fanta flavor called Fanta Berry in August 2002 in regional markets and was discontinued shortly after.[30] It returned in 2015[31] as a "New Flavor," and is currently available as a permanent flavor in the U.S. Fanta lineup.
- The Cola-Cola Company tried to emulate Code Red's success with another one of their products, Mello Yello,[32] by releasing three other Mello Yello flavors called Mello Yello Cherry (to compete with Code Red), Mello Yello Melon and Mello Yello Afterglow (both to compete with Mountain Dew's other flavors) in the early 2000s to several regional markets. While Mello Yello Melon and Mello Yello Afterglow were discontinued a few years after their release, Mello Yellow Cherry is still available as a Coca-Cola Freestyle exclusive and was later re-released to stores in 2015 and again in 2019.
- Faygo, a Detroit-based soda company, was also prompted to release a Moon Mist Citrus flavored soda called "Faygo Moon Mist Red" for a limited time in 2001 and 2010, featuring a Cherry flavor. However, in 2018[33], Faygo decided to reformuate its flavor for its limited time 2018 release from a Cherry flavor to a Berry flavor, which is closer to Code Red's Berry-flavored counterpart sold in New Zealand and Australia.
- After the discontinuation of Mello Yello Melon and Mello Yello Afterglow in the Mid-2000s, The Coca-Cola Company decided to extend Vault's flavor lineup with Vault Berry Blitz in March 2007[34], a berry-flavored red soda, in another attempt to imitate the massive success of PepsiCo's Code Red. However, that flavor was discontinued along with Vault itself in December 2011 due to Mello Yello outselling Vault.[35]
- During the Canadian release of Code Red in 2002, Code Red wasn't allowed to have caffeine due to laws[36] preventing caffeine from being added to non-dark soft drinks. Original, Diet, Pitch Black and Blue Shock were affected by this while Dew Fuel (as marketed as an energy drink) was made to bypass this law.
- A similar U.S. law[37] about mixing Alcohol and Caffeine wasn't allowed as it could increase the risks of injury. Because of that, Hard Mountain Dew brand of flavors are the only currently available flavors (aside from Caffeine-Free, Diet Caffeine-Free, and Blue Shock's original release) in the U.S. not to have caffeine.
- The computer worm "Code Red"[38] was named after Mountain Dew Code Red because it was the only drink that kept the two employees: Marc Maiffret and Ryan Permeh (eEye Digital Security) awake while they disassembled this exploit. PepsiCo later sent them five cases of Code Red in appreciation.
- During the testing stage of Code Red, PepsiCo considered calling it "Wild Cherry Mountain Dew" after Pepsi Wild Cherry until urban and ethnic focus groups said they preferred Code Red.[39]
- Upon its release in 2001, a marketing strategy[40] was aimed to those demographics, specifically African Americans[41]. This strategy included a variety of sports-themed television commercials featuring settings like courtside[42] at basketball games with Chris Webber and Tracy McGrady and indoor basketball stadiums[43], as well as outdoor football[44] scenes. Additionally, there were miscellaneous commercials, including one that showcased a Black woman, Macy Gray, singing into a microphone alongside a homeless guitarist[45] and another one rap concert setting featuring Jay Electronica in 2010[46].
- During 2013's DEWmocracy Canada promotion, Combo Packs were available in three cans consisting of each flavor of Code Red, White Out, Voltage, and Supernova.
- Code Red's flavor was featured in two separate premixed flavors, such as Summer 2017/2021's DEW-S-A (Red for Code Red, White for White Out and Blue for Voltage, representing the colors of the United States flag) and Holiday 2017's Holiday Brew (Red for Code Red and Green for Original Mountain Dew, representing the colors as symbols of Christmas).
- Diet Code Red was the longest-running permanent flavor, lasting nineteen years until its discontinuation as it was replaced by Code Red Zero Sugar in January 2022.
- Meg is the second mascot to use "they/them" pronouns in the Canadian Code Red Fortnite collab article[47], while the first mascot is VooDEWgrim[48] to identify as "they/them/death" pronouns.
- Code Red Zero Sugar SodaStream syrups are more widely available than the regional distribution of Code Red Zero Sugar in 12-packs and 20-ounce bottles. This distribution is similar to how LiveWire is distributed in 12-packs and 20-ounce bottles, with the canned Hard LiveWire variant being more accessible than its 12-pack distribution.
References
- ↑ https://uspto.report/TM/78027133
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20190420024919/http://www.mtndewkid.com/mountain-dew/code-red-pre-release/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20010330122435/http://www.mountaindew.com/code_red/code_red_main.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzUTl9lsIoQ
- ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/91563063@N00/29513881/
- ↑ https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/general/2002/05/07/pepsi-blue.htm
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20110815205726/http://www.bevreview.com/2003/02/26/coming-soon-mountain-dew-livewire/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8P7Lxw1gj0
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/teamsupernovafb/p/DFINj_KNgsK/?img_index=1
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/mountaindew/comments/v8q46z/new_code_red_energy_drinks_coming_soon/
- ↑ https://x.com/TeamSupernovaFB/status/1701597759550451949
- ↑ https://x.com/TeamSupernovaFB/status/1709652037766451572
- ↑ https://x.com/TeamSupernovaFB
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/AnticostiBeer/posts/pfbid02s1A22GMBSKMgH9Ty2qN5eTTKDAfEknVMAkcD4cDe43eVqLLcvYMQE1kfZ1nBfMegl
- ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/djdamien/51988410594/
- ↑ https://x.com/DewCanada/status/1124733174138003457
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/mountaindew/comments/mmeknz/found_code_red_slushies_in_canada/
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/newfoundland/comments/ob7nxu/any_circle_k_employees_on_here_or_pepsi_reps_know/h3qhr5j/
- ↑ https://www.7-eleven.ca/lp/mtn-dew-contest
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/MountainDewCanada/videos/433585319232709/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHY1tvgiEpw&t
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/MountainDewCanada/videos/969150928125580/
- ↑ https://www.teamunitefn.com/news/mtn-dew
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/mountaindew/comments/ea1iag/comment/fan9srg/
- ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/28846427@N00/287505544/
- ↑ https://www.newswire.co.kr/newsRead.php?no=38968
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=394076881556&set=pb.100057785014602.-2207520000
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/mountaindew.nz/photos/pb.100057785014602.-2207520000/10150193101106557/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20021113041732/https://www.usatoday.com/money/general/2002/05/07/pepsi-blue.htm
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20160225091806/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1027635876850896440
- ↑ https://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/2015/08/20/spotted-on-shelves-8202015/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20111015065311/http://www.bevreview.com/2004/12/18/review-mello-yello-afterglow/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/faygo/photos/moon-mist-red-is-back-from-the-moons-of-mars-and-it-picked-up-an-even-better-tas/2074479225908330/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20110816084457/http://www.bevreview.com/2006/10/09/coming-soon-vault-red-blitz/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/surgemovement/posts/for-those-of-you-who-loved-vault-i-spoke-with-a-woman-at-coke-on-friday-and-let-/206252699484371/
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-additives/caffeine-foods/carbonated-soft-drinks.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/alcohol-caffeine.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20110722192419/http://www.eeye.com/Resources/Security-Center/Research/Security-Advisories/AL20010717
- ↑ https://www.zdnet.com/article/one-code-red-winner-pepsi/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20140901095032/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/12/17/find-cell-phone-guy
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/mountaindew/comments/1is1fik/code_red_ad_from_2001/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYoqpleCbvQ
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBBLt40VIXQ
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTYZ116x89I
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQgRSJPCZ_g
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=motAUqnpaVM
- ↑ https://www.teamunitefn.com/news/mtn-dew
- ↑ https://x.com/voodewgrim