Pepsi Next
View on Wikipedia| Product type | Mid-calorie cola, and 30% less sugar |
|---|---|
| Owner | PepsiCo |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 2012 |
| Discontinued | 2015 |
| Related brands | Pepsi Edge Pepsi ONE Pepsi Max G2 Tab |
Pepsi Next[1] (stylized as pepsi next or pepsi NEXT) was a cola-flavored carbonated soft drink produced by PepsiCo from 2012 until 2015. It was a variant of the Pepsi cola range and was marketed in a number of territories worldwide with varying different flavors.
Development
[edit]Pepsi Edge, Pepsi's first mid-calorie cola, was introduced in 2004 and discontinued only two years later. PepsiCo, towards the end of the 2000s, found a new interest in mid-calorie beverages and then released G2 in 2007, a version of Gatorade with less than half the calories,[2] and then Trop50, a juice blend, with 50% the calories of regular juice.[3] In September 2007, PepsiCo filed for trademarks in the US Patent and Trademark Office, for "Pepsi Next", and "Diet Pepsi Next".[citation needed]
In June 2011, PepsiCo announced that Pepsi Next was going to be moved into two test markets, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.[4] After testing, on February 27, 2012, PepsiCo announced the launch of Pepsi Next.[5]
Pepsi Next was first introduced in France in March 2013, and in Finland and Canada in March 2014. Stevia extract is used in all three markets.[citation needed]
Formulations
[edit]In some markets it was sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, sugar, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose,[6] and marketed toward drinkers of full-calorie Pepsi, and those who do not enjoy the taste of Diet Pepsi, Pepsi ONE, Pepsi Max, and other diet colas.
On June 25, 2013, PepsiCo informed their Facebook readers that the new formulation of Pepsi Next no longer contained aspartame, the artificial sweetener used in many diet soft drinks including Diet Pepsi, hence some bottles sold in the U.S. read 'aspartame free'. However, the continued presence of acesulfame potassium means this version of the product still contained artificial sweeteners.[citation needed]
In other marketing areas, including Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, where it was marketed as having "30% less sugar", Pepsi Next was sweetened using an extract from stevia and had no artificial sweeteners.[citation needed]
In the Australian market, Pepsi Next was bottled by Schweppes Australia and is sweetened by stevia which reduces the sugar content by 30% compared to regular Pepsi.[7]
Reception
[edit]A review from TheImpulsiveBuy.com stated that, "Although it contains three artificial sweeteners and has 60 percent fewer calories than regular Pepsi, it's really hard to taste anything "diet" about Pepsi Next. But it's not quite like regular Pepsi; it's less syrupy and smoother. There are also differences in flavor between Pepsi Next and the original Pepsi. I thought Pepsi Next had a slightly stronger cola flavor and, for some reason, my taste buds perceived a hint of lemon."[8]
According to the BevReview, the initial taste of Pepsi Next is similar to the original Pepsi, but this is followed by the less pleasant taste of artificial sweeteners.[9]
Marketing
[edit]When Pepsi Next launched in 2012, a series of Internet and print ads were made, with a picture of a can of Pepsi Next, with the words: Real Cola Taste, 60% Less Sugar, Drink It To Believe It.[10]
Eva Longoria, Paula Patton, and Nicki Minaj all have featured in advertisements for Pepsi Next. Paula Patton filmed a television commercial for Pepsi Next, as has Nicki Minaj.[11]
In the 2013 Super Bowl, Pepsi used its advertising minutes right before the halftime show (which featured Beyonce, a "brand ambassador" for Pepsi) to advertise Pepsi Next. The presentation by Pepsi (the halftime show plus the advertising) was unique in that it featured photos of Pepsi customers. Pepsi had asked customers to send in photos before the Super Bowl.[12]
See also
[edit]- Pepsi Edge – The mid-calorie cola that preceded Pepsi Next, was considered a failure and was discontinued after two years
- Diet Pepsi - The original Diet Cola version of Pepsi
- Pepsi Zero Sugar – A diet cola also called Pepsi Max in some markets
- Pepsi ONE - A discontinued diet cola sweetened with Splenda
References
[edit]- ^ "PEPSI NEXT - Trademark Details". Justia Trademarks. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "PepsiCo Expands Leading Non-Carbonated Beverage Portfolio With New Offerings And Strengthened Distribution". MediaRoom Strategist Demo Site. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ^ Staff, BevNET com (2009-03-30). "Tropicana First to Introduce the All-Natural Sweetness of Stevia to the Orange Juice Aisle With the Launch of Trop50". BevNET.com. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ^ "Beverage Digest: PepsiCo Inc. To Test Mid-Calorie Cola, Pepsi Next, This Month". Vending Market Watch. 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ^ Miller, Mark J. (27 February 2012). "Pepsi Expand Mid-Calorie Brands With 60 Calorie Pepsi Next". BrandChannel. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
- ^ "Official Site for PepsiCo Beverage Information | Find". Retrieved 2013-07-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "PepsiCo rolls out cola with stevia in Australia". Wall Street Journal. Associated Press. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
NEW YORK — PepsiCo Inc. is launching a reduced-calorie soda in Australia that uses stevia, the first time the beverage maker is using the natural sweetener in its namesake cola. The Purchase, N.Y.-based company says the drink, called Pepsi Next, is also sweetened with sugar and has 30 percent fewer calories than regular. The rollout follows the launch of Pepsi Next in the U.S. earlier this year. That version has about half as many calories as the regular at 60 calories per can but uses a mix of artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup.
- ^ Marvo (25 March 2012). "Review: Pepsi Next". The Impulsive Buy. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
- ^ Tanner, Steve (29 March 2012). "Review: Pepsi Next". BevReview. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
- ^ PepsiCo. "Pepsi NEXT Unveils First "Internet Taste Test" to Inspire Cola Lovers to "Drink It to Believe It"". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
- ^ Wilson, Julee (10 April 2012). "Paula Patton Gets Gorgeous For Pepsi NEXT And Lands Role With Denzel Washington". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
- ^ Zmuda, Natalie (7 January 2013). "Pepsi puts public in Super Bowl spot; Consumers are pop stars with Beyonce; second spot features Pepsi Next". Advertising Age.
External links
[edit]Pepsi Next
View on GrokipediaDevelopment and Launch
Origins and Predecessors
PepsiCo's venture into mid-calorie cola beverages originated with the introduction of Pepsi Edge in 2004, marking the company's first attempt at a reduced-calorie variant of its flagship Pepsi product. This beverage utilized a blend of sugar and artificial sweeteners to deliver roughly half the calories and carbohydrates of regular Pepsi while striving to preserve its full flavor profile.[9] Despite initial promise, Pepsi Edge faced challenges in capturing consumer interest and was discontinued in 2005 due to underwhelming sales performance.[10] The product's shortcomings highlighted the difficulties in balancing taste and calorie reduction but inspired continued innovation in this category. In the late 2000s, PepsiCo intensified its focus on mid-calorie options, driven by rising consumer demand for lower-calorie alternatives that mimicked the taste of full-sugar sodas amid growing health concerns over obesity and sugar intake.[11] This motivation culminated in the filing of the "Pepsi Next" trademark in September 2007, signaling early conceptualization of a new mid-calorie Pepsi variant. From 2007 to 2011, PepsiCo's research and development teams worked on formulations aimed at achieving calorie balance without complete dependence on artificial sweeteners, laying the groundwork for the product's eventual market entry.Testing and Rollout
PepsiCo initiated pre-launch testing for Pepsi Next in June 2011, announcing on June 13 that the mid-calorie cola would be introduced in select markets in Iowa and Wisconsin starting the following month to evaluate consumer acceptance of its reduced-sugar formula, which aimed to bridge the gap between full-calorie and diet options.[8][12] The tests focused on gauging taste preferences and purchase intent among diverse demographics, revealing broad appeal across age groups and slight skew toward males, which informed refinements to the product's positioning.[13] Following positive feedback from the test markets, PepsiCo officially launched Pepsi Next in the United States on March 26, 2012, positioning it as an innovative alternative with 60 calories per 12-ounce serving—60 percent fewer than the 150 calories in regular Pepsi—while retaining a full cola flavor profile.[1][14] Initially available in standard formats including 12-ounce cans and 20-ounce bottles, the product was distributed nationwide through major retailers to target consumers seeking moderation without sacrificing taste. This effort built on lessons from the earlier Pepsi Edge, a mid-calorie predecessor discontinued in 2005 after underwhelming performance.[13] The rollout extended internationally beginning in March 2013 with an introduction in France, where the formula was adapted to incorporate stevia extract for alignment with local preferences for natural ingredients and reduced artificial additives.[15] Expansion continued in March 2014 to Canada, debuting at the Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic event with a stevia-sweetened version emphasizing 30 percent fewer calories and sugars, and to Finland with similar regional adjustments to enhance market fit.[16][15] These launches prioritized tailored formulations to address varying consumer demands for lower-calorie options across borders.Product Characteristics
Formulation and Ingredients
Pepsi Next was formulated as a mid-calorie cola variant featuring a blend of high fructose corn syrup, sugar, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose to achieve 60% less sugar compared to regular Pepsi.[17][18] The core ingredients included carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, sodium citrate, natural flavor, potassium sorbate (to preserve freshness), and caffeine, with the sweeteners integrated to reduce the overall caloric content while maintaining a cola profile.[19] Upon its U.S. launch in 2012, the initial formulation incorporated aspartame alongside the other sweeteners, but this was discontinued in a 2013 reformulation to eliminate the artificial sweetener.[3] The updated version retained the high fructose corn syrup, sugar, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose blend, resulting in approximately 60 calories per 12-ounce serving.[20] In international markets such as Canada, Finland, Australia, and New Zealand, Pepsi Next utilized stevia extract as a natural sweetener in combination with sugar, enabling a 30% reduction in sugar content without artificial additives.[16][15][21][22] This stevia-based approach was introduced progressively, starting in Australia in 2012, followed by launches in Canada and Finland in 2014, and New Zealand in 2015, emphasizing natural ingredients to appeal to regional preferences for reduced-sugar options.[21][16][15][22] The product's carbonation level and flavor profile were specifically engineered using a balanced mix of cola essences and sweeteners to replicate the taste characteristics of regular Pepsi, ensuring a familiar mouthfeel and effervescence despite the lower sugar load.[18] This formulation strategy focused on preserving the iconic cola bite through phosphoric acid and natural flavors, while the reduced calorie count positioned it as a transitional option between full-sugar and diet variants.[20]Nutritional Profile and Variants
Pepsi Next was positioned as a mid-calorie cola, offering approximately 60 calories per 12-ounce serving, which represents about 40% of the calories found in a standard 12-ounce serving of regular Pepsi (150 calories). This reduction was achieved primarily through a lower sugar content of 16 grams per serving, compared to 41 grams in regular Pepsi, while maintaining zero grams of fat and zero grams of protein. The caffeine content was 32 milligrams per 12-ounce serving. In 2013, PepsiCo reformulated Pepsi Next to eliminate aspartame, opting instead for other sweeteners to address consumer preferences.| Nutrient (per 12 oz serving) | Pepsi Next | Regular Pepsi |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 60 | 150 |
| Total Sugars (g) | 16 | 41 |
| Fat (g) | 0 | 0 |
| Caffeine (mg) | 32 | 38 |
