Many a taco-lover has revelled in the magical combination of a Crunchwrap Supreme and a fruity, refreshing Baja Blast. However, few have stopped to question how this heavenly combo came to be. Some prefer to leave it a mystery and simply enjoy the medley of flavors, but we find that understanding the story behind a favorite food or drink makes it all the more delicious.
When it comes to Baja Blasts, the story involves a historical moment for the fast food industry and a genius combination of flavors that garnered a whole lot of sales and a cult following. Here's the history behind this beloved Taco Bell drink and where to buy it to enjoy its tropical, addicting flavor.
What is Baja Blast?
Baja Blast is a tropical lime-flavored soft drink under the Mountain Dew brand. Along with being a refreshing drink that tastes amazing with your favorite Taco Bell order, this soda is special for being the first soft drink sold exclusively at a fast food chain. Although this has since changed, Baja Blast was originally only available at Taco Bell, making it a special for its limited accessibility. Here's the history of this beloved soft drink and where you can enjoy it today.
The Story Behind the Baja Blast
Taco Bell
This tropical lime Pepsico drink was first released in August 2004 and was only available at Taco Bell locations throughout the United States, marking the first time in history that a beverage company and fast food chain had united to create a proprietary beverage. As we know now, the results were amazing.
The blue-green soft drink was created specifically to pair with Mexican-inspired food, which is why it tastes so darn delicious when being guzzled down with a Beefy Melt Burrito in hand. Along with being created to pair with Taco Bell items, it was designed with the goal of increasing drive-thru beverage sales.
Baja Blast was magical in its ability to win the hearts of both Taco Bell customers and Mountain Dew lovers. Because of this, it gained a cult following in the years after its creation. The drink's popularity led it to eventually be released in stores in bottles and cans in 2014, allowing more of its fans to enjoy it whenever the craving hits.
Baja Blast lovers don't adore this drink for its nutritious value, but for its beautiful oceanic color and its sweet, tropical flavor. If you're on a diet or looking to cut back on artificial flavors, you'll want to stick with water or iced tea. However, for those who are in it for the taste and not the nutritional value, the Baja Blast is the perfect drink to wash down your Taco Bell with
Baja Blast Flavors and Where to Buy Them
There have been many iterations of the original Baja Blast over the years, from Baja Flash to Baja Punch to Baja Blast Zero Sugar. However, only a few flavors are available at any given time, and this summer fans will get to enjoy Baja Blast, Baja Mango Gem, and Baja Gold. In June 2022, Mountain Dew will be releasing Baja Blast, Baja Mango Gem and Baja Gold in stores. Fans will be able to find the sweet beverages on shelves in department stores like Target and Walmart, along with most grocery stores. You can also experience Baja Blast Zero Sugar at Taco Bell, ideal for those looking to cut back on sugar.
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Baja Blast is the classic tropical lime flavor that Taco Bell fans know and love, but Baja Mango Gem and Baja Gold are switching it up from the original. Baja Mango adds a mango twist to the original flavor, while Baja Gold will have notes of sweet pineapple. I don't know about you, but nothing sounds more like summer than sipping on a pineapple-flavored soft drink while savoring a Burrito Supreme.
Baja Blast Flavors of the Past
Although there are only three available flavors at the moment, Baja Blast has been around for almost two decades, and fans remember the flavors that have come and gone. Here are all the past flavors of this well-loved soft drink:
- Baja Blast Freeze
- Baja Blast Twisted Freeze
- Baja Blast Birthday Freeze
- Baja Blast Cherry Smash Freeze
- Baja Blast Colada Freeze
- Diet Baja Blast
- Baja Blast Non-Alcoholic Bubbly
- Baja Blast Zero Sugar
- Hard Mountain Dew Baja Blast
- Mountain Dew Energy (Baja Blast)
- Baja Punch
- Baja Flash
This post was originally published on November 29, 2021.
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FAQs
The flavor was first made available in 2004. Created for, and exclusively sold at Taco Bell locations, it was a collaboration between the company and Mountain Dew owners PepsiCo. One of the first instances of a restaurant offering an exclusive soda beverage, it was created to increase sales of fountain soda.
How long will Baja Blast be in stores in 2024? ›
To mark its 20th anniversary, the beloved beverage will now be available beyond the taco chain, at retail stores nationwide all year long. It looks like 2024 (welcome to it) is going to be a big year for fans of Mountain Dew Baja Blast.
Is Baja Blast going to be permanent? ›
The drink has been a recurring staple of Mountain Dew's retail lineup ever since, frequently releasing as part of their summer lineup, plus turned into a permanent flavor in January 2024.
Is Baja Blast Freeze leaving Taco Bell? ›
What Taco Bell Menu Item Is Leaving Now? It's sad to say that after 10 years on the menu, the Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze is on its way out.
Who is the Baja Blast girl? ›
Wow!' ”Aubrey Plaza began with an excited smile and laugh when discussing the call she received to be in a Super Bowl commercial for Mountain Dew Baja Blast. “I must've done something right this year.” It was an opposite retort of what fans of the “Parks and Rec” deadpan delight would typically expect.
Why is Baja Blast so popular? ›
The Mountain Dew flavor started as a Taco Bell exclusive in 2004. As it grew in popularity over the years, PepsiCo released limited quantities in stores on a seasonal basis. For the most part, though, quenching your thirst for Baja Blast meant making a Taco Bell run. That's all changed for the new year.
Is Baja Blast 20 years old? ›
PepsiCo announced that Mountain Dew's Baja Blast will be returning to stores across the country in honor of its 20th anniversary. Mountain Dew's Baja Blast officially turns 20 years old, according to Pepsico.
What flavor is Baja Blast supposed to be? ›
Some sources say Baja Blast is regular Mountain Dew spiked with lime. The official word comes from PepsiCo, which says it is a "cult favorite" with a "legendary Tropical Lime flavor," which would explain the tropical-beach-ideation-producing "Baja" in the drink's title.
How old is Mtn Dew? ›
Mountain Dew, stylized as Mtn Dew in some countries, is a carbonated soft drink brand produced and owned by PepsiCo. The original formula was invented in 1940 by Tennessee beverage bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman. A revised formula was created by Bill Bridgforth in 1958.
What is the new Mountain Dew flavor for 2024? ›
The brand new white Mtn Dew, formerly known as Freedom Frenzy, has been renamed Freedom Fusion. I think embracing fusion over frenzy is just the vibe this peach lemonade flavored Mtn Dew (and this country) need.
Mountain Dew Baja Blast is not a particularly healthy beverage. It is a sugary soft drink that is high in calories and contains added artificial sweeteners. The main reason why a Baja Blast is unhealthy is due to its sugar content. There are 59 grams of sugar for a 16 ounce drink.
What flavor is Mtn Dew? ›
Description. Original Mountain Dew is a citrus-flavored soda. The soft drink is unique because it includes a small amount of orange juice.
What is Taco Bell bringing back in 2024? ›
Taco Bell announced its 2024 menu additions at Live Más Live, its first-ever superfan convention. I attended the Las Vegas event and tasted everything coming to Taco Bell's menu this year. Among the new items are the Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme, Baja Blast pie, and Cantina Chicken items.
What is in a 7 layer burrito from Taco Bell? ›
7 layer burrito is a complete meal in itself. It is a grilled soft tortilla filled with 7 different fillings including Pulled Chicken, Mexican seasoned rice, tangy salsa, nacho cheese sauce, lava sauce & pinto beans, it's mind blowing.
What does Taco Bell not sell anymore? ›
Discontinued Taco Bell Items: Which Would You Bring Back?
- 7-Layer Burrito. I remember when this one dropped in '93. ...
- Bell Beefer. While every food account on TikTok is making Big Mac tacos, the Bell was flipping the script decades ago. ...
- B.L.T. ...
- Caramel Apple Empanada. ...
- Chilito. ...
- Choco Taco. ...
- Enchirito. ...
- Grilled Steak Soft Taco.
PepsiCo, the parent company of Mountain Dew, said in a news release Tuesday the drink would be available in bottles and cans all year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the drink's launch.
What Taco Bell's most popular drink is coming to stores nationwide for all of 2024? ›
It's so beloved that Taco Bell has found a few different ways to serve it over the years—like the Baja Blast Freeze and Baja Blast Gelato, which is coming to restaurants nationwide this year. Because 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the Mountain Dew flavor, the brand is pulling out all the stops for the Bajaversary.
What is Baja Blast a mix of? ›
Stick with a two-to-one ratio of Mountain Dew and Gatorade. Even though Baja Blast has a tropical-lime flavor, the best homemade version uses Cool Blue Gatorade, and not any of the lime or tropical flavors.
What flavor is MTN dew? ›
Description. Original Mountain Dew is a citrus-flavored soda. The soft drink is unique because it includes a small amount of orange juice.
