Starry is alemon-lime soft drink created byPepsiCo. Distribution began on January 9, 2023. The brand is aimed at competing againstSprite. On January 9, 2023, Starry replacedSierra Mist as Pepsi's lemon-lime flavored drink, in part because Sierra Mist failed to gain market share in the growing category of lemon-lime drinks.[1][2] Starry contains nocaffeine, and as of April 2023, is available in Regular and Zero-Sugar varieties.
In July 2022, food blogger SodaSeekers reported that PepsiCo purchased a domain name for a new brand of lemon-lime drink that would eventually replaceSierra 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]
The brand began being distributed in stores on January 9, 2023 with marketing geared towardsGeneration Z.[5][6]Bloomberg Businessweek reported industry analysts suggested a successful campaign to grab market share could mean taking 5–10% market share away from Sprite.[7]
Starry is sold in cans in sizes of either 7.5 US fluid ounces (220 ml) or 12 US fluid ounces (350 ml), and in plastic bottles with sizes including 16 US fluid ounces (470 ml), 500 ml, and two liters.[8] Its syrup is also available inSodaStream devices.[9] Since its inception, Starry has been composed of carbonated water,high-fructose corn syrup,citric acid, natural flavor, and various preservatives.[10] Sierra Mist was sweetened using cane sugar before it was discontinued.[11]
Since the 2022–23 NBA season, Starry has been the sponsor of the annualThree-Point Contest as a part ofAll-Star weekend.[14] The sponsorship includes naming rights for the contest as well as two special "Starry Range" shot balls placed six feet (1.8 m) behind the3-point line. This partnership replacesMountain Dew as the event's previous sponsor and "DEW Zone" as the special shot balls used during the contest.[15]
Reception to the drink on social media suggests many feel that Starry tastes similar to its predecessorSierra Mist,[16] while others feel it tastes akin toSprite, the longtime leader of the lemon-lime soft drink market.[17] Starry has been described as having a more prominent citrus flavor than Sierra Mist.[11]
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