Adding gas to beverages isn’t new by any means: Nitrogen is already a common gas added in drinks like beer and cold brew. And now, Pepsi is bringing nitro to mainstream soda.
Hitting store shelves nationwide on March 28, Nitro Pepsi will be available in draft cola and vanilla draft cola flavors, in both single-serve and four-pack varieties.
“It’s creamy, smooth and has a mesmerizing cascade of tiny bubbles topped off by a frothy foam head,” the brand said in a statement.
Pepsi describes the new beverage as “softer than a soft drink” thanks to the infusion of nitrogen rather than uber-fizzy carbon dioxide.
“While soda has been a beverage of choice for so many consumers over the past century, some people still cite heavy carbonation as a barrier to enjoying an ice-cold cola,” Todd Kaplan, Pepsi’s VP of marketing, said in a statement. “With this in mind, we wanted to come up with a new way for people to enjoy delicious Pepsi cola, but with a new experience around the bubbles.”
Similar to its canned beer and coffee counterparts, Nitro Pepsi will utilize widget technology — the first time it’s being applied to the cola category to create the frothy, foamy, smooth texture unique to Nitro Pepsi. It does not look and taste like a traditional cola or soda, and in fact, it’s best consumed differently as well.
According to Pepsi Co., Nitro Pepsi is best enjoyed from the can, but there are a few steps you can take for optimal consumption. Serve Nitro Pepsi cold and ideally without ice, after pouring directly into a tall glass. Sip it directly from the glass (rather than through a straw) for a smoother experience.
Food & Wine had an advanced taste test of the new beverage, and likened it to a Pepsi cola float minus the ice cream. “It’s richer and fuller on the palate while still reminding me of its carbonated cousin,” their analyst wrote.
Both the regular and vanilla varieties of Nitro Pepsi will be sold in single-serve cans and four-packs. The official release date is March 28 — or if you’re desperate to say you ordered it first, it’s available for preorder on Walmart.com right now.