Kickstart (Energizing Black Cherry) is a Mountain Dew Kickstart released in the United States in January 2014 alongside Kickstart (Energizing Limeade) as nighttime-themed drinks in contrast to the breakfast-themed Kickstart (Energizing Orange Citrus) and Kickstart (Energizing Fruit Punch) flavors in 2013.
Description
Kickstart (Energizing Black Cherry) is a Black Cherry flavor of Mountain Dew. It's similar to another Dew flavor, which has a similar shade of Cherry flavor, Code Red. Its color has a dark red look.
History
Kickstart (Energizing Black Cherry) alongside Kickstart (Energizing Limeade) was released in the United States in January 2014 as nighttime-themed drinks in contrast to the breakfast-themed Kickstart (Energizing Orange Citrus) and Kickstart (Energizing Fruit Punch) flavors in 2013.
In 2022, the current Kickstart lineup in the United States consists of three flavors: Orange Citrus, Black Cherry, and Pineapple Orange Mango.
Soda Fountain release
Throughout the years, Kickstart (Energizing Black Cherry) has been available at select Circle K, Jackson's, and Marathon gas stations with early known information of all three Circle K, Jackson's, and Marathons in carrying the Black Cherry flavor in 2018.
Taco Bell Freeze
Beginning in March 2014, select Taco Bell restaurant locations began offering "Mountain Dew Kickstart Black Cherry Freeze," an icy variant of Kickstart (Energizing Black Cherry), replacing the preexisting Distortion Freeze. However, it was discontinued at the beginning of October 2014 and replaced with Starburst Strawberry Freeze.
International release
Canada
On February 22th, 2016, Kickstart (Energizing Black Cherry) were released in Canada, most likely due to the success of Kickstart (Energizing Fruit Punch) and Kickstart (Energizing Orange Citrus), which had released in Canada the previous year.
It was discontinued in Canada in February 2018, shortly after the release of Kickstart (Energizing Mango Lime).
Arabian countries
In 2016, Kickstart (Energizing Black Cherry) and Kickstart (Energizing Orange Citrus) were both released in various Arabian countries (including Saudi Arabia and Qatar). The flavors were presumably discontinued the following year, likely due to low sales. This Arabian release was the only Kickstart release that used the 2005 logo.
Finland
In March 2019, Kickstart Black Cherry was released in Finland. Like Kickstart (Blood Orange) and later Kickstart (Fruit Punch), for its Finnish release the name "Kickstart" was replaced by "Jumpstart."
In 2020, it was discontinued, presumably to make room for Jumpstart (Energizing Citrus).
