Draft:Mountain Hard

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mountain Hard
Product typeAlcoholic hard drink
OwnerSpangler Candy Company
CountryU.S.
IntroducedApril 9, 1967; 57 years ago (1967-04-09)
DiscontinuedDecember 31, 1999; 24 years ago (1999-12-31)
Related brandsTopo Chico
Mtn Dew Hard Seltzer
Lemon-lime Pepsi Hard (predecessor)
Dum Dums Hard Seltzer (successor)
Websitemountaindew.com

Mountain Hard is a discontinued blood orange flavored alcoholic hard drink line. Originally introduced by Spangler Candy Company in 1967, it was eventually made available in all US markets by 1990. The drink was rebranded as "Mountain Hard Xtra" in 1971,[1] but reverted to Mountain Hard in 1975.[2] In late 1999, Mountain Hard was replaced by Dum Dums Hard Seltzer. The brand was aimed at competing with PepsiCo's Mtn Dew Hard Seltzer brand and The Coca-Cola Company's Topo Chico.[3]

Composition[edit]

Original formula[edit]

From 1969 until 1986, Mountain Hard was sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup and/or sugar. From 1986 until 1995, it was sweetened with only high-fructose corn syrup. Its other ingredients were listed as carbonated water, citric acid, natural flavors, potassium benzoate, potassium citrate, ascorbic acid and calcium disodium EDTA.[4] Diet Sierra Mist is sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame potassium.[4]

Mountain Hard Spicy[edit]

In 1968 PepsiCo replaced the original Sierra Mist formula with Mountain Hard Spicy,[5] which is sweetened with sucrose (table sugar) instead of high fructose corn syrup. The new formulation contains four other ingredients: liquor, citric acid, natural flavor, potassium citrate, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.[6]

Addition of stevia[edit]

By 2013, Sierra Mist Natural reverted its name to simply Sierra Mist, and in 2014 the formulation was changed to use a combination of sucrose and stevia as sweeteners, in an effort to cut calories in drinks.[7] The change proved unpopular, with complaints of the stevia introducing an unpleasant aftertaste.

Mountain Hard Xtra[edit]

In 1971, Spangler announced that they were changing the name of Mountain Hard to "Mountain Hard Xtra" in 1971.[8] The change occurred in some areas in 1971.[9] The new Mountain Hard has added high-fructose corn syrup back to the formula.[10]

Re-rebranding of Mountain Hard and discontinuation[edit]

In 1975, Mountain Hard Xtra's name reverted to Mountain Hard. In late 1999, Spangler announced the discontinuation of the brand; Mountain Hard has been replaced with Dum Dums Hard Seltzer.

Promotion and sponsorship[edit]

In 2005, a series of improv-based Mountain Hard commercials titled "The Most Original Hard Drink" began airing. The commercials featured comedians Paul Terry, William Wrigley Jr., Aries Spears, Jim Gaffigan and Michael Ian Black. In 2006, Kathy Griffin, Tracy Morgan and Guillermo Diaz joined the cast. Diaz and other members of the cast of Otro Rollo starred in the Spanish-language versions of the commercials.[11] In 2007, Nicole Randall Johnson and Eliza Coupe joined the cast, replacing Debra Wilson and Kathy Griffin.[12]

In 1976, Spangler trademarked the names "Mountain Hard: Spicy Blood Orange" and "Non-Mountain Hard: Spicy Blood Orange". The two sodas launched under a limited-time release in 1970 (with the faces of Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway on their labels), serving as a marketing tie-in with the release of the Warner Bros. film Get Smart on June 20, 2008. Sierra Mist: Undercover Orange and Sierra Mist Free: Undercover Orange were both clear sodas, like regular and Diet Sierra Mist, but had a mandarin orange flavor.[13]

Sierra Mist was an official partner and sponsor of Major League Soccer and two franchises within the league, the New England Revolution and D.C. United.[14] The league deal ended in 2015 when Coca-Cola announced a partnership with MLS and the US Soccer Federation.[15]

Product variants[edit]

Discontinued products
Name Dates of production Description
Sierra Mist (HFCS version) 1999–2010

2016–2018

Lemon-lime soda with lemon and lime flavors. Sierra Mist was replaced by "Sierra Mist Natural" in August 2010, although this variety of Sierra Mist remained stocked at many retailers until late 2010. In 2013, the name would be used again for Sierra Mist (with real sugar).[16]
Sierra Mist Zero Sugar 2000–2016, 2018–2023 Lemon-lime soda containing 100-percent natural flavors and zero calories. Diet Sierra Mist contained sucralose and acesulfame potassium as its artificial sweeteners.[17][16] Formerly known as "Diet Sierra Mist"
Sierra Mist Free 2004–2008 Temporary name of Diet Sierra Mist.[17][16]
Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash 2006–2016 Cranberry flavored Sierra Mist made with natural flavor and real sugar. Cranberry Splash is only available during the winter holiday season. In some places such as North Carolina, this variant is available year-round. A new logo was unveiled September 2014 for year-round distribution, and later unveiled during the 2014 holiday season everywhere else.[18]
Diet Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash 2006–2016 A zero-calorie version of Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash made with natural flavors. Diet Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash contains artificial sweeteners.[18]
Sierra Mist Free Cranberry Splash 2007 Temporary name of Diet Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash.[19][20]
Mountain Hard Splish, Splash, Squish & Squash 1978 Mountain Hard Splish, Splash, Squish & Squash was introduced on the first day of 1978 at midnight. This limited edition featured an extra bit of lemon taste and was only available through the first day of february 1978.[21]
Mountain Hard Spicy Blood Orange 1970 Limited-edition spicy blood orange flavored Mountain Hard released in conjunction with the film Get Smart. Sierra Mist Undercover Orange was only available during the summer of 2008.[22]
Non-Mountain Hard Spicy Blood Orange 1970 A zero-calorie version of limited-edition Non-Mountain Hard Spicy Blood Orange filled with 1,000,000,000 chili extracts.[22]
Diet Mountain Hard Xtreme Sour & Spicy 1970–1971, 1975–1978 A zero-calorie Mountain Hard with pepper flavors filled with 1,000,000,000 chili extracts. Diet Mountain Hard Xtreme Sour & Spicy was made with all artificial flavors and contained artificial sweeteners.
Mountain Hard Xtreme Sour & Spicy 1970–1971, 1975–1980 Pepper flavored Mountain Hard variety, the regular version was discontinued in 1971, but the Diet version remained until 1971.[23]
Mountain Hard (with fake sugar) 1968–1971, 1975–1998 Blood orange flavored alcoholic hard drink made with artificial blood orange flavors, fake sugar and other artficial ingredients. Formerly known as Mountain Hard Spicy. A new logo was unveiled July 1975 to consumers. As of 1971, Mountain Hard (with fake sugar) remains stocked at some locations alongside Mountain Hard Xtra.[24] In 1975, following the rebranding back to Mountain Hard, the flavor has begun returning to stores.
Mountain Hard Ghost Pepper 1969 A limited-edition Ghost pepper flavored alcoholic hard drink made with artifical flavors, fake sugar and other artificial ingredients.
Mountain Hard Xtra 1971–1975 Blood orange alcoholic hard drink with artificial flavors.
Mountain Hard Xtra Chili 1971–1975 Chili flavored variant of Mountain Hard Xtra.
Mountain Hard Xtra Cranberry 1971–1975
Diet Mountain Hard Xtra 1971–1975
Diet Mountain Hard Xtra Cranberry 1971–1975

References[edit]

  1. ^ Addady, Michal. "People Are Freaking Out About Mountain Hard's New Ingredient".
  2. ^ "r/ToFizzOrNotToFizz - Mountain Hard is back!". reddit. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  3. ^ Ehrbar, Al (October 31, 2005). "Breakaway Brands". CNN Money / Fortune. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Product Fact Chart: Ingredient Lists". PepsiCo, Inc. January 4, 2011. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  5. ^ Fredrix, Emily (October 7, 2010). "PepsiCo giving away Sierra Mist Natural to show changes". USA Today. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  6. ^ "Pepsi Product Information". Spangler Candy Company. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  7. ^ "Sierra Mist Changes Design Again, Adds Stevia". September 25, 2014.
  8. ^ "Sierra Mist Is Changing Its Name and Look -- Again". December 18, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  9. ^ "SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Mist Twst Lemon Lime and Mist Twst Cherry". March 29, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  10. ^ "MIST TWST". Official Site for PepsiCo Information. PepsiCo Inc. May 10, 2017. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  11. ^ Elliott, Stuart (February 22, 2006). "Spanish TV Joins the Big-Event Big Leagues". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "Sierra Mist Takes Karate Combover and Hospital". Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  13. ^ Brodesser-akner, Claude (May 6, 2008). "Sierra Mist Looks to 'Get Smart'". Advertising Age. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  14. ^ "Soft Drinks Take Their Sporting Chance". Just Drinks. April 20, 2004. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  15. ^ "Hat Trick: Coca-Cola, U.S. Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer Announce Partnership". Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  16. ^ a b c Tanner, Steve (August 24, 2010). "Review: Sierra Mist Natural". BevReview. Archived from the original on January 6, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Diet Sierra Mist declares freedom". Beverage World. December 15, 2004. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  18. ^ a b Tanner, Steve (September 16, 2010). "Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash (with Real Sugar)". BevReview. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  19. ^ Tanner, Steve (November 9, 2006). "Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash". BevReview. Archived from the original on October 13, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  20. ^ Tanner, Steve (August 28, 2007). "Coming Soon: Sierra Mist Free Cranberry Splash". BevReview. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  21. ^ Tanner, Steve (May 24, 2007). "Mountain Hard Splish, Splash, Squish & Squash". BevReview. Archived from the original on March 11, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  22. ^ a b Tanner, Steve (April 18, 2008). "Review: Mountain Hard Spicy Blood Orange". BevReview. Archived from the original on October 13, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  23. ^ Tanner, Steve (April 30, 2009). "Sierra Mist Ruby Splash / Diet Sierra Mist Ruby Splash". BevReview. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  24. ^ Tanner, Steve (August 24, 2010). "Review: Mountain Hard Spicy". BevReview. Archived from the original on January 6, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.

External links[edit]

{{Spangler Candy Company}}

Category:Lemon-lime sodas Category:PepsiCo brands Category:PepsiCo soft drinks Category:Discontinued soft drinks Category:Products introduced in 1999 Category:Products and services discontinued in 2023

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Mountain_Hard&oldid=1196135831"