Pepsi launched a caffeine-free, clear soda called Crystal Pepsi in the early 1990s. Its tagline was “you’ve never seen a taste like this.” The new product was advertised for the Super Bowl XXVII (January 1993). The TV spot featured the Van Halen song “Right Now.” Crystal Pepsi swiftly “captured a full percent point of US soft drink sales.” But the popularity of Crystal Pepsi died down quickly. As Pepsi Crystal idea man David C. Novak (now Yum! Brands Chairman) said, “It would have been nice if I’d made sure the product tasted good.” By fall 1993, Pepsi pulled the drink off the market.
Just for the 2015 holiday season, Pepsi is giving away 78,000 cans (13,000 six-packs) of Crystal Pepsi via its loyalty program app, Pepsi Pass. December 11 is the last day to enter the sweepstakes. Winners will receive their soda before Christmas.
