Just a few days after Coca-Cola unveiled its new Coke flavor, PepsiCo has now announced the launch of a "first-of-its-kind" cola flavor, which it says is its "most ambitious feat yet." The company said Wednesday that it would be releasing a new nitrogen-infused cola product, which the company said will be creamier and smoother than any other carbonated soda on the market.
Pepsi said its new beverage, called the Nitro Pepsi, will be released nationwide in the U.S. on March 28. The new soda flavor will be available in two variants, vanilla and regular.
This isn't the first time nitrogen has been used in beverages. Starbucks famously uses nitrogen in its popular cold brews.The challenge in using nitrogen in drinks is how to infuse it without having to rely on taps. Pepsi will reportedly be using the same technique used by beer maker Guinness, which patented a process involving using a nitrogen-filled capsule that is broken once a can is opened. Guinness patented the process nearly 50 years ago.
Pepsi is using the same type of "widget" system to infuse nitrogen into its drink once it is opened. The company claims that the infusion will create a "frothy, foamy, and smooth texture" that is not found in any other carbonated beverage.
Because of the nitrogen infusion, Pepsi said its new Nitro Pepsi needs to be consumed differently compared to other sodas. Pepsi recommends that consumers serve the new beverage without any ice and without straws as it will come with a thick foam head.
Pepsi's vice president of marketing, Todd Kaplan, said the nitrogen infusion idea was incorporated into the new product to prevent "heavy carbonation," which he said was a major barrier to why some people do not enjoy ice-cold sodas. He added that sodas continue to be the major beverage of choice in large parts of the world, which is why Pepsi has worked to evolve and improve the drink. Kaplan claimed that the company's new Nitro Pepsi is a "huge leap forward" for sodas, and it will redefine the soda experience in the years to come.
Interest in carbonated sodas, particularly among younger and more health-conscious consumers, has waned over the past few years. Companies such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola have been attempting to generate interest by launching "hip" new products. Last week, Coca-Cola unveiled its new Coke Starlight flavor, which the company described as being inspired by space and tasted like a journey into outer space.
