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What is Starry Soda?

Ready to reach for the stars? Starry soda made its debut in January 2023. This caffeine-free lemon-lime beverage is Pepsi’s answer to replacing Sierra Mist. Pepsi, known for pushing the envelope with innovative flavors like Pepsi S’mores, Pepsi Nutmeg, Peeps Pepsi, and Nitro Pepsi, is now taking a fresh spin on its lemon-lime soda offering with Starry.

But don’t shed a tear for Sierra Mist—it had a respectable run. The soda, introduced in 1999, has become something of a relic in the fast-paced soda world. With a slightly awkward name and a brief rebranding to Mist Twist between 2016 and 2018, Sierra Mist now bows out, making way for the more vibrant and catchy Starry.

Starry Soda vs Sierra Mist: What’s Different?

So, what sets Starry apart from Sierra Mist, besides the name? The biggest difference lies in the sweetener. While Sierra Mist was made with real sugar, Starry uses high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This shift is curious, as many soda brands are moving towards using real sugar over HFCS, but Pepsi has chosen the opposite direction with Starry.

Pepsi’s decision to replace Sierra Mist with Starry may have something to do with targeting Gen Z. According to the company, Starry is crafted for “a generation of irreverent optimists,” suggesting they’re aiming for a younger audience.

Starry Soda vs Sprite: Taste Comparison

I recently tried Starry soda—both the regular and zero-sugar versions—and compared them to Sprite, the well-established lemon-lime soda from Coca-Cola. Sprite has been around since 1961 and remains a popular choice in this soda category.

Regular Starry didn’t impress me much. It had a slight spice to it, which felt unexpected for a lemon-lime soda, and it wasn’t as sweet as Sprite. Pepsi describes Starry as having a “crisp” taste, and I would agree, but Sprite had a smoother, sweeter finish. Perhaps this is because Sprite has had over 60 years to perfect its formula.

The zero-sugar version of Starry was a bit smoother than its regular counterpart, though it did carry a noticeable diet soda aftertaste. When pitting all three sodas head-to-head, regular Sprite came out as the winner for me. Sorry, Starry—you can blame it on the fact that I’m Gen X, not Gen Z.

Where Can I Get Starry?

Starry soda is available at stores nationwide, and you’ll likely find it popping up in your local markets. So, if you spot it in the soda aisle, go ahead and give it a taste test.

FAQs About Starry Soda

What soda is Starry replacing?
Starry is replacing PepsiCo’s Sierra Mist.

Is Starry different from Sierra Mist?
Yes, Starry and Sierra Mist differ primarily in their sweeteners and flavor profiles. Sierra Mist used cane sugar, giving it a more intense sweetness, while Starry relies on high-fructose corn syrup for a cleaner, more neutral sweetness.

Does Starry taste like Sierra Mist?
While some consumers find similarities between the two, others point out distinct differences due to the change in sweeteners and Starry’s more pronounced citrus flavor.

Is Starry the same as 7Up?
No, Starry and 7Up are different sodas, produced by separate companies, and have their own unique flavor profiles.

Is Starry soda just Sprite?
No, Starry and Sprite are distinct lemon-lime sodas from different companies with different taste characteristics.

Is Starry sweeter than Sprite?
No, Sprite is generally perceived as sweeter than Starry.

Is Starry cheaper than Sprite?
The price of Starry varies by location, but it is typically competitively priced with Sprite.

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