Mello Yello

Mello Yello[edit | edit source]

Mello Yello is a highly caffeinated, citrus-flavored soft drink produced, distributed and created by The Coca-Cola Company. It was introduced on March 1, 1979 to compete with PepsiCo's Mountain Dew.

History[edit | edit source]

Mello Yello was created to counteract the success of Mountain Dew. The Coca-Cola Company used a similar color scheme and taste profile to Mountain Dew in an attempt to lure customers away from PepsiCo. The name "Mello Yello" was chosen to evoke a laid-back, relaxed mood, a clear contrast to the high-energy image of Mountain Dew.

Ingredients[edit | edit source]

The main ingredients of Mello Yello are carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, concentrated orange juice, citric acid, natural flavors, sodium benzoate and caffeine. The drink is also available in a zero-calorie version, Mello Yello Zero, which substitutes the high fructose corn syrup for artificial sweeteners.

Marketing[edit | edit source]

Mello Yello has been involved in various marketing campaigns throughout its history. In the 1980s, it was promoted with the slogan "There's Nothing Mello About It!" In the 1990s, the brand sponsored the NHRA's (National Hot Rod Association) professional drag racing circuit, known as the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Variations[edit | edit source]

Over the years, Mello Yello has released several flavor variations, including Cherry, Peach, and Melon. These variations are often released as limited-time offerings.

Availability[edit | edit source]

Mello Yello is widely available in the United States and is also sold in certain international markets, including Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. In some markets, it is sold under the name "Mello Yello Zero" to indicate its zero-calorie content.