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Citrus Cherry

Citrus Cherry is a Mountain Dew flavor first released as part of the Game Fuel Promotion for many years as a limited edition flavor before it eventually became a permanent flavor in 2014. After Citrus Cherry was reformulated in 2016 and slowly became less available, Wis-Pak in Wisconsin continued to independently produce the product until late December 2022 when it was quietly discontinued. It returned for a limited time in November the following year alongside Game Fuel (Mystic Punch) nationwide to promote Halo Infinite.

Description[]

Citrus Cherry is a Citrus Cherry flavor of Mountain Dew and has a red look, having a comparable tasting flavor and color to that of Code Red and Holiday Brew.

Caffeine amount[]

Citrus Cherry, like with all other Game Fuel flavors, contains a slightly higher caffeine count than most Mountain Dew varieties. From 2007-2015, Citrus Cherry contained 73mg of Caffeine per 12oz can. The 2016 half-diet reformulation reduced the caffeine to 68mg per 12oz can, and remains as such for the 2023 full-sugar reversion.

Full Sugar/Half-diet formulation[]

Main article: Flavor 514C

Citrus Cherry was the first Mountain Dew variety to undergo a "half-diet" formula change. This new formula added the artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium in order to reduce calories, a change that also took effect with some other notable flavors such as 2017's DEW-S-A and 2018's Berry Monsoon.

For its 2023 Halo Infinite release, Citrus Cherry was reformulated back to its original full sugar formula.

Tagline[]

Its tagline is "DEW with a Blast of Citrus Cherry Flavor with other Natural flavors." In Europe, its tagline is "DEW with a Rush of Cherry Flavour."

History[]

Main article: Game Fuel Promotion

(2007) Halo 3[]

Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) was first released in stores with Halo 3 branding from August 13th, 2007 to November 4th, 2007 for 12 weeks nationwide in the United States in various sizes such as 20-ounce bottles, 2-liter bottles, 12-packs, and a similar bottle although not part in Green Label Art 16-ounce bottle. It was also available in the Slurpee for about half of a year in some places.

This 2007 release, in particular, was intended to coincide with a new Xbox 360 video game called "Halo 3." Since this is the first time that PepsiCo, the parent company, teamed up with a newly released video game, there weren't any "extra perks" relating to how you enter codes from the cap to get that "extra perk" in the game itself.

From this point onwards, this Game Fuel Promotion would be more than just a one-off promotion PepsiCo did for video games.

(2009) World of Warcraft[]

Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) returned alongside a new companion flavor, Game Fuel (Wild Fruit), in the Summer of 2009 for a limited 10 week run. It received a rebranded design to coincide with the Online MMORPG, World of Warcraft.

This 2009 release did not accompany any specific expansion or game release, and (as mentioned earlier) instead served to promote the MMORPG "World of Warcraft," which had been released five years prior in 2004. Citrus Cherry's formula remained unchanged, and it was marketed under the name "Mountain Dew Game Fuel Horde Red" as it represented the Horde, while Game Fuel (Wild Fruit) was marketed as "Mountain Dew Game Fuel Alliance Blue" as it represented the Alliance.

(2011) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3[]

Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) returned two years later with another new companion flavor, Game Fuel (Tropical) in October 2011 for a limited time. It received another rebranded design to coincide with the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

This time around, the two Dew flavors feature generated codes from under the bottle cap that earns players double experience points (2XP), where consumers had to go to the Dew XP website to enter them. The Dew XP website had to be linked through the Call of Duty online account before you would get the double XP (2XP) in-game. It also awarded consumers access to exclusive giveaways of Call of Duty themed promotional material.

As before, Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry)'s formula remained unchanged. The two Game Fuel flavors stayed on shelves until the end of the year when the Dew XP promotion ended.

(2012) Halo 4[]

Main article: Dew XP

Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) returned yet again the following year in 2012 for another limited time, although no companion flavor was released alongside it. Citrus Cherry was officially released on October 15th that year, where it received a different rebranded design to coincide with a new video game, Halo 4 as a part of the Dew XP Promotion.

Much like the previous year, this Dew XP promotion allowed fans to go online and enter codes found on specially-marked Mountain Dew and Doritos packaging. These codes unlocked extra in-game experience for their career in Halo 4. The Dew XP promotion ended on January 31st, 2013, and Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) was subsequently discontinued while Doritos's packaging reverted to its usual branding.

(2013) Every2Minutes[]

Main article: Every2Minutes

Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) returned again the following year with another new companion flavor, Game Fuel (Electrifying Berry) in August 2013 for another limited time. However, unlike previous promotions, the two Dew flavors were supporting different games, Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) supporting Dead Rising 3 as well as a Forza 5, and Game Fuel (Electrifying Berry) supporting Ryse: Son of Rome as well as Kinect Sports Rivals.

These two paired Dew flavors also gave a chance to win an Xbox One online that the website auction off one Xbox One for Every2Minutes. This promotion had the same concept as 2005's Every10Minutes and 2017's Every60Seconds in this case. In addition to this, the Slurpee form of Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) was brought back to coincide with this limited-time release. The two Dew flavors stayed on shelves until the end of the year, where both were discontinued until the next year.

(2014 - 2022) Promotionless Permanent Release []

In May 2014, with no announcement, Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) was released in stores as a permanent flavor in most regions in the United States in two sizes, 20-ounce bottles, and 12-packs. This version of Citrus Cherry did not feature a game promotion for the first time.

In late 2018, the Game Fuel branding from Citrus Cherry was removed from the design and transferred into a new line of energy drinks called Amp Game Fuel (later abbreviated to Game Fuel in Late 2020) was released in January 2019. From this point until 2023, Citrus Cherry's design did not include the words "Game Fuel" on it.

In early 2019, Citrus Cherry, along with many other underperforming flavors (namely Real Sugar, White Out, Diet Code Red, Pitch Black, Caffeine-Free Mountain Dew, and Caffeine-Free Diet Mountain Dew), was pulled from shelves in most regions. As of July 2022, most of these flavors howbeit are produced sporadically along the Midwest region from independent Pepsi bottlers. In December of 2022, Wispak quietly stopped production of Citrus Cherry, leaving it completely discontinued.

(2014) Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare []

Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) returned yet again with another new companion flavor, Game Fuel (Lemonade) in October 2014 for another limited time. It was officially released on October 6th for a limited time, where it received a different rebranded design to coincide with a video game shooter, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The two Dew flavors stayed on shelves until the end of the year when the promotion ended, after which Game Fuel (Lemonade) discontinued while Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry)'s packaging reverted to its usual non game-specific design.

(2015) Black Ops III[]

Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) returned yet again with another new companion flavor, Game Fuel (Berry Lime) in October 2015 for another limited time. It was officially released on October 5th for a limited time, where it received a different rebranded design to coincide with a video game shooter, Call of Duty: Black Ops III. As was the case before, the two Dew flavors stayed on shelves until the end of the year when the promotion ended, with Game Fuel (Berry Lime) being discontinued while Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry)'s packaging once again reverted to its usual non game-specific design.

This was the last year the original formula for Citrus Cherry was used.

(2016) Titanfall 2[]

Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) returned yet again with another new companion flavor, Game Fuel (Mango Heat) in October 2015 for another limited time. It was officially released on October 1st for a limited time, where it had a different rebranded design to coincide with a video game shooter, Titanfall 2. As expected, the two Dew flavors stayed on shelves until the end of the year when the promotion ended, with Game Fuel (Mango Heat) being discontinued and Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry)'s packaging reverting to its usual non game-specific design.

The 2016 version of Citrus Cherry was the first to undergo a "Half-Diet" reformulation, with the High Fructose Corn Syrup content being reduced by half and the addition of the artificial sweeteners Sucrolose and Acesulfame Potassium. This change lowers the calorie count to 100 calories for a standard can and 170 calories for a bottle. In addition to this, the caffeine count was slightly reduced as well.

(2017) Every60Seconds[]

Main article: Every60Seconds

PepsiCo did consider giving it a return but it didn't come to fruition and as a result, Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) did not return in the Every60Seconds promotion for 2017, instead continuing to be sold with its non game-specific design. Instead, PepsiCo decided to bring back two Dew flavors that had not been out for over 5+ years. These two Dew flavors were Game Fuel (Arctic Burst), a Slurpee flavor intended to promote the theatrical release of Superman Returns in 2006 and then Game Fuel (Tropical Smash), one of seven prototype Dew flavors for DEWmocracy II in 2009.

The two Dew flavors were supporting different games, Game Fuel (Arctic Burst) supporting Middle-earth: Shadow of War, and Game Fuel (Tropical Smash) supporting Forza Motorsport 7. These two paired Dew flavors also gave consumers a chance to win an Xbox One X online. The website auctioned off one Xbox One X for Every60Seconds. This promotion has the same concept as 2005's Every10Minutes and 2013's Every2Minutes in this case.

The Every60Seconds promotion ended on January 3rd, 2018, and both Game Fuel (Arctic Burst) and Game Fuel (Tropical Smash) subsequently discontinued while Doritos' packaging reverted to its usual branding. This promotion was the last ever original Game Fuel Promotion as the Game Fuel branding transferred into a new line of energy drinks called Amp Game Fuel (abbreviated to Game Fuel in Late 2020) was released in January 2019.

(2023) Halo Infinite[]

On April 6th, 2023, a post on Reddit surfaced, claiming that Mountain Dew Game Fuel was going to make a return in 2023. Team Supernova corroborated with this source and was sent a picture from the source, leading to another post on Reddit. The picture appeared to show an endcap display at a Kroger-owned store with bottles of Cobra Cane and Thrashed Apple. The endcap was labeled "Game Fuel / Nov - Dec". At this time, fans were conflicted whether this meant that Game Fuel was put on the sheet in error, or if it was slated to release and Cobra Cane's store release would be scrapped and was being used here as a placeholder.

On April 26th, 2023, Team Supernova posted a tweet with a photo attached that confirmed Pepsi's intention to bring back Game Fuel in November 2023 for an 8-week LTO run. Further more, the sheet mentioned that a new Game Fuel flavor would be joining Citrus Cherry on the shelves - Fruit Storm.

With the information on the bottle giving a shelf life comparable to other full sugar Mountain Dew releases over the last few years as well as a similar calorie count, it can be implied that Citrus Cherry has been reformulated back to it's original recipe, making it the first time since 2015 that it has been sold as a full-sugar drink (solely containing HFCS and no artificial weeteners). This release also marked the first time Citrus Cherry would be available in 12-ounce cans since its nationwide discontinuation in late 2019/early 2020.

A photograph of both flavors was posted on Reddit in June 2023, revealing that the companion flavor was called Game Fuel (Mystic Punch) and that Mystic Punch would promote the release of Diablo IV while Citrus Cherry would promote Halo Infinite. It was also revealed at this time that Citrus Cherry had indeed been reformulated back to its full sugar formula. Both flavors were released on November 6th for a limited time until the end of the year.

(2024) Upcoming release[]

On September 22nd, 2023, it was leaked on the Dew Drinker Discord detailing information on PepsiCo's plans and release schedule for 2024 of the majority of flavors. The detailed leak here is as follows: The Summer re-release of Liberty Brew alongside two new flavors, Star Spangled and Freedom Frenzy (later renamed Star Spangled Splash and Freedom Fusion, respectively), Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) alongside Game Fuel (Midnight Mission), two Baja flavors, Baja Laguna Lemonade and Baja Point Break Punch with a Doritos chip flavor, Baja Fiery Mango.

Soda Fountain release[]

(2017 - 2018) Arby's[]

In Late 2016, Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) first appeared on the now-removed official PepsiCo Beverage Facts website listing. The website indicates that this flavor would be exclusively available to Arby's restaurant locations in the United States.

On January 26th, 2017, in a Twitter post, it was leaked by Pitch Black Army posting an image of Game Fuel (Citrus Chery) in a soda fountain. This sighting was the first confirmed sighting of Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry), with further sightings appearing after.

It was available at participating Arby's restaurants with the "half-diet" formula from 2016. As of April 2018, Arby's had received Coca-Cola products, so as a result, Arby’s no longer served Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) in their soda fountains.

Variants[]

(2022) Championship Citrus Cherry[]

Championship Citrus Cherry is a version of the drink in the new Game Fuel product line. First leaked in October 2021, it was officially released on April 5th, 2022. The drink is a tie-in with internet streamer Dr. Disrespect, and features his branding on the can. The flavor is advertised as a return of the original Citrus Cherry with 'a Doc twist'.[1]

European release[]

Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) was released in some European countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway for varying amounts of time before being discontinued shortly thereafter in all of those countries.

Netherlands[]

Game Fuel (Europe) was first released in The Netherlands in 2015, and was only available in 0.5L (US 16.9-ounce) bottles. The flavor was discontinued in 2017.

Denmark[]

In the same year that it was released in the Netherlands, Game Fuel was also released in Denmark, where it was sold in 0.5L (US 16.9-ounce) bottles and 330ml (US 11-ounce) cans.

A year after, it was discontinued due to potentially low sales and was replaced by Supernova.

Sweden[]

In 2016, it was released in Sweden under the name "Game Blast." Like in the Netherlands, it was only available in 0.5L (US 16.9-ounce) bottles. A few years later in 2020, it was discontinued due to potentially low sales.

Trivia[]

  • The Cherry flavor of Mountain Dew Amp Cherry Blast (Overdrive Turbo Boost Cherry) is said to taste similar to Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry), albeit with a weaker cherry flavor to it.
  • In 2017, Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) was meant to be released in the Every60Seconds promotion but eventually, it was scrapped and did not feature in the promotion. Instead of bringing it back, it featured two previously discontinued flavors brought back as Game Fuel flavors, 2006's Game Fuel (Arctic Burst) and 2009's Game Fuel (Tropical Smash).
  • This is the only Mountain Dew flavor to be considered scarlet in coloration (though flavors with other shades of red exist in mass quantities).
  • Game Fuel (Citrus Cherry) was featured on the YouTube channel myCountyMarket along with several other pre-release flavors of Mountain Dew from 2016 to 2019.
  • Citrus Cherry's release in 2023 marked the first time in seven years that there will not be a Holiday-themed Limited Time flavor.

References[]

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