Crystal Pepsi (Remember That?) Might Be Coming Back [Video]
If you were alive in the ’90s, then you probably have heard of Crystal Pepsi. You may even vaguely recall the taste if you tried it. But if you weren’t alive during the brief window of time the beverage was available in America, then Crystal Pepsi may seem like something of an enigma. Some people worshiped the drink and haven’t stopped clamoring for its return. Other think it’s a fad drink that should stay in the past.
Well, kids, you will be able to decide for yourselves pretty soon as Crystal Pepsi is expected to make a comeback!
Crystal Pepsi, a popular drink form the 90s, might be making a comeback http://t.co/cPdmHiGQDJ pic.twitter.com/6y6inLuMYZ
— mySA (@mySA) June 11, 2015
It’s all thanks to a YouTuber named Kevin Strahle or the “L.A. Beast” as he’s sometimes known, due to his competitive eating ventures. Strahle started up a grassroots campaign called #BringBackCrystalPEPSI on April 20. In the weeks that followed, Kevin was able to amass the support of tens of thousands of people on social media. Although there had been requests in the past to bring Crystal Pepsi back to American shelves, this was by far the most enthusiastic and widespread campaign to date.
After months of campaigning by Kevin Strahle and other fans of the drink, Pepsi sent out an official response.
“Dear Mr. Beast,
Your love for Pepsi is clear – crystal clear. The passion you’ve shown is unmatched, and we love it!
We’ve had customers ask us to bring back their favorite products before, but never with your level of enthusiasm and humor. We’re lucky to have a Pepsi superfan like you on our side.”
The letter closed with the acknowledgement by Pepsi that they’d heard the pleading by fans of Crystal Pepsi and these fans would “all be happy with what’s in store.” If you’re truly a fan of the clear beverage, then it’s hard not to be excited by the cryptic close to the letter.
After receiving the letter, Kevin could hardly contain his joy. The Ridgewood, N.J. native admitted that he didn’t sleep for 24 hours after getting an official response from Pepsi.
“It definitely sent chills down my spine. It’s amazing how we all came together for a common goal and succeeded.”
Even though there’s clearly a group of super enthusiastic fans full of nostalgia who want the drink…what about the people too young to remember Crystal Pepsi? Will it catch fire and make a permanent return…or will it once again fizzle out due to a lack of mass enthusiasm?
Crystal Pepsi is on its way back — here’s why it failed the first time http://t.co/2JbGMKygLC pic.twitter.com/qjZ6hDr2PS
— The Verge (@verge) June 11, 2015
One thing to keep in mind is that soda drinking is on a downward trend as Millenials side-step the notoriously unhealthy drinks. It’s entirely possible that Crystal Pepsi will be brought back for a limited time since there’s nothing to suggest a booming market that would keep the soda around for long.
However brief the return of Crystal Pepsi, it will still serve as a welcome “blast from the past” for those who enjoyed it in the ’90s. Who knows? A kid today may fall in love with Crystal Pepsi and repeat the cycle of demanding its return in twenty or thirty years.
Do you remember Crystal Pepsi and if so…did you like it?
[Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Kevin Strahle/Pepsi]
