Starry (drink)

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Starry
Product typeLemon-lime soft drink
OwnerPepsiCo
CountryUnited States
IntroducedJanuary 1, 2023; 15 months ago (2023-01-01)
Related brandsSierra Mist (predecessor)
Teem
Slice
Websitestarrylemonlime.com

Starry is a lemon-lime soft drink distributed by PepsiCo. Distribution began in January 2023. The brand is aimed at competing against Sprite and 7 Up. In January 2023, Starry replaced Sierra Mist as Pepsi's lemon-lime flavored drink, in part because Sierra Mist failed to gain market share in the growing category.[1][2] Starry contains no caffeine, and as of April 2023 is available in Regular and Zero-Sugar varieties.

History[edit]

In July 2022, it was reported that PepsiCo purchased a domain name for a new brand of lemon-lime drink that would eventually replace Sierra Mist.[3] The following month, in August 2022, the company filed for a trademark for the brand name Starry as well as for a logo.[4]

A can of Starry Lemon-Lime

The brand began being distributed in stores in January 2023 with marketing geared towards Generation Z.[5][6][7] Bloomberg Businessweek reported industry analysts suggested a successful campaign to grab market share could mean taking 5–10% market share away from Sprite.[8]

Since the 2022-23 NBA season, Starry has been the sponsor of the annual Three-Point Contest as a part of All-Star weekend.[9] The sponsorship includes naming rights for the contest as well as 2 special "Starry Range" shot balls placed 6 feet behind the 3-point line. This partnership replaces Mountain Dew as the event's previous sponsor and "DEW Zone" as the special shot balls used during the contest.[10]

Starry is sold in cans in either 7.5 ounce or 12 ounce sizes, and in plastic bottles ranging in size from 16 ounces to two liters.[11] Since its inception, Starry has been composed of carbonated water, high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, natural flavor, and various preservatives.[12] Starry uses high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener, unlike Sierra Mist, which was sweetened using cane sugar before it was discontinued.[13]

Reception[edit]

Reception to the drink on social media suggests many feel that Starry tastes similar to its predecessor Sierra Mist,[14] while others feel it tastes akin to Sprite, the longtime leader of the lemon-lime soft drink market.[15] Starry has been described as having a more prominent citrus flavor than Sierra Mist.[13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Simauchi, Kevin (January 11, 2023). "PepsiCo ends Sierra Mist, launches Starry to take on Sprite". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  2. ^ Snider, Mike. "Goodbye, Sierra Mist. Hello to Starry, Pepsi's new lemon-lime soda to take on Sprite". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  3. ^ "PepsiCo Launches Starry, A New Lemon-Lime Soda For the Kids, AKA, Gen Z". www.thedieline.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  4. ^ "Starry Lemon Lime – Trademark Application of Portfolio Concentrate Solutions Unlimited Company – Serial Number 97534420". trademarks.justia.com. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  5. ^ "Pepsico to Launch New Sprite Competition to Target Gen Z". Ad Age. January 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "PepsiCo Partners". www.pepsicopartners.com. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  7. ^ "PepsiCo Launches Starry, A New Lemon-Lime Soda For the Youngsters, AKA, Gen Z | Dieline". October 16, 2022.
  8. ^ Pulley, Brett (April 21, 2023). "Sprite Is So Popular That Pepsi Launched a New Lemon-Lime War". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  9. ^ "All-Star 2023: Starry 3-Point Contest brings new twists". NBA.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "What is Starry Range? NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest adds special long-distance shots | Sporting News". www.sportingnews.com. February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Soft Drinks | Beverages". www.pepsicopartners.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  12. ^ "Starry". www.pepsicopartners.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Romero, Gabby (April 14, 2023). "We Taste-Tested Starry And Sierra Mist To See If They're Actually Different". Delish. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  14. ^ "Pepsi Replaces Sierra Mist with New Citrus Soda Starry". Peoplemag. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  15. ^ "RIP, Sierra Mist: Pepsi is ditching it for a new lemon-lime soda". TODAY.com. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
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