At this year’s NACS Expo, Mountain Dew confirmed an upcoming release that had been the subject of speculation for a few months: Mountain Dew Dirty Dew. The brand announced that both Mountain Dew Dirty Dew and Mountain Dew Dirty Dew Zero Sugar will join the permanent lineup in the spring of 2026, available in both cans and bottles.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, Dirty Dew is described as a cream soda-flavored version of Mountain Dew. I had the opportunity to sample this new flavor at the NACS Expo—during which I was hacked by the Mountain Dude on Twitter—and later tried the canned version at home after Pepsi kindly sent over samples. I certainly have thoughts.
New Mountain Dew Flavor!
Pros: This variety distinguishes itself from the original Mountain Dew more than you might anticipate. First, unlike the classic version, Dirty Mountain Dew does not include orange juice concentrate, which is a preference of mine. Furthermore, Dirty Mountain Dew avoids artificial dyes, which is always a significant plus. Regarding the taste, I was quite satisfied. I expected a combination of the original Mountain Dew with a solid cream soda profile and an added touch of creaminess, and that is essentially what this drink delivers. Even if you aren’t a fan of the classic soda, this is worth a try.
Cons: It isn’t the most creative flavor on the market—I am still waiting for a Tiger’s Blood-flavored Baja Blast spinoff—but that does not mean it isn’t a quality flavor. It absolutely is.
New Mountain Dew Zero Sugar Flavor!
Mountain Dew Dirty Dew Zero Sugar
Pros: I mentioned this in my review of the newly reformulated Cabo Citrus, and it remains true here: Pepsi appears to be improving its zero-sugar soda offerings. I enjoy Dirty Mountain Dew Zero Sugar nearly as much as the full-sugar version, which is notable coming from someone who typically only consumes zero-sugar products if they are energy drinks. Even without real sugar, the Zero Sugar variety successfully hits the same notes as its counterpart.
Cons: I would be remiss if I didn’t mention for my good friend SnachWithZach that this contains sucralose. While I personally do not notice it affecting the flavor, many people do and will be disappointed by this inclusion. Other than that, Dirty Mountain Dew Zero Sugar is a very accurate reformulation of the original.
17 Mountain Dew Flavors, Ranked
