TACO Bell customers will soon be able to get a new take on the Baja Blast for the first time in over 20 years.
The fast food chain confirmed the new drink is arriving this month, and it will be a permanent menu addition alongside the original.
2
2
Mountain Dew Baja Blast first dropped on July 29, 2004, sold exclusively at Taco Bell, per CNN.
It was a collaboration with PepsiCo designed to improve soda sales at the chain, and it quickly became so beloved that the soda company decided to sell it seasonally at stores.
By 2022, there was even an alcohol-infused variation.
Since its introduction up until 2014, the original Baja Blast generated $1 billion in revenue for Taco Bell alone, according to Ad Age.
Now, the chain is seeking to boost those beverage sales to $5 billion over the next five years with Mountain Dew Baja Midnight.
Baja Midnight is an “unexpected purple twist on the iconic tropical lime flavor fans know and love,” according to a press release from Taco Bell.
Specifically, Taco Bell says that passionfruit flavor is blended with the “instantly recognizable” Baja Blast taste.
Just like the original, customers will be able to get Baja Midnight in a regular and “freeze” variation starting August 14, but the Baja Midnight Freeze will only be able for a limited time.
The regular Baja Midnight beverage costs $2.49, $2.79, and $2.99 for small, medium, and large options, respectively.
For the Baja Midnight Freeze, it’s $3.79 for a regular and $3.99 for large.
Pricing may vary by location and state, however.
FREE OPTION
Additionally, on August 15, Taco Bell rewards members can get a medium Mountain Dew Maja Midnight free of charge if they spend $5 or more on an order with the chain’s mobile application.
“Our fans made it iconic,” Taylor Montgomery, chief marketing officer at Taco Bell, said of the original Baja Blast in the release.
“And they’re the reason we’re expanding the universe for the first time with Mountain Dew Baja Midnight.”
Fast Food meal deals
Here are some of the current value meals offered by popular fast food joints.
Taco Bell’s $7 Luxe Cravings Box:
- Chalupa Supreme
- Beefy Five-Layer Burrito
- Double Stacked Taco
- Chips and nacho cheese sauce
- Medium drink
McDonald’s $5 Meal Deal:
- McDouble or McChicken sandwich
- Four-piece Chicken McNuggets
- Small fries
- Small soft drink
Wendy’s $5 Biggie Bag:
- Junior Bacon Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Four-piece chicken nuggets
- Junior fries
- Small soft drink
Burger King’s $5 Your Way Meal:
- Whopper Junior, Chicken Junior, or Bacon Cheeseburger
- Fries
- Four-piece chicken nuggets
- Soft drink
“It’s unexpected, it’s Taco Bell purple, and it’s tasty enough to earn its place in the fandom,” Montgomery added.
Taco Bell’s commitment to beverages was also seen earlier this year with the launch of its Refrescas lineup, which includes three refreshers, two energy drinks, and a freeze.
This includes the Aguas Refrescas refreshers, which comes in Strawberry Passionfruit, Dragonfruit Berry, and Mango Peach flavors.
The two energy drinks are Rockstar Energy Refrescas in Pineapple Lime or Tropical Punch, and the Refresca Freeze in Strawberry Lime.
The Refrescas are only around for a limited time.
CHICKEN WARS
Taco Bell has also joined the chicken wars with fellow fast food giants like McDonald’s, who notably brought back the Snack Wrap in July.
Even before the Snack Wrap made its comeback, Taco Bell launched the Crispy Chicken Tacos, Burritos, and Strips on June 17.
The Crispy Chicken Tacos start at just $2.79, and have a “harmonious combination of one perfectly crisped Crispy Chicken Strip layered with purple cabbage, crisp lettuce, pico de gallo and shredded cheese.”
Customers also have the option of using Spicy Ranchero Sauce or Avocado Ranch Sauce with the tacos.
A Taco Bell customer also stunned an employee this year with their “Hulk burrito” concoction on a secret menu.
The oldest Taco Bell in the nation even closed its doors forever.
