I remember the first time I saw a Pepsi Natural display at the grocery store. Its glass bottle, its simple brown packaging sans bold red-white-blue logo and its lighter caramel color cola. “Oooh! ‘Natural’? What’s that supposed to mean?” I wondered. “Is this Pepsi’s answer to the resurgence of Mexican Coke?”
Upon closer inspection I saw that this Pepsi au naturel, unlike the regular Pepsi, features not only natural sugar (a mix of beet and cane sugars) instead of high-fructose corn syrup but lightly sparkling water (finer bubbles) instead of carbonated water (large bubbles), and its color comes from caramel color and natural apple extract. It seems to be more a premium answer to those who have shied away from colas because of the stigma of corn syrup; folks who want a “healthier” alternative to cola.
And I have yet to break into the 12-ounce bottle of Pepsi Natural that I got in my Blogger Prom goody bag — saving that baby for a special occasion — but online reviews have lauded it for its great guilt-free taste.
In any case, you can pick up a four-pack of 12-ounce bottles at Target or Albertsons in SoCal.
Orrr, if you’re a lucky mofo, you can win the Pepsi Natural prize pack (worth over $50) that I’m giving away right now without having to leave your house. Not only does it include the four-pack of Pepsi Natural but it also has the following goodies:
- Pepsi Natural reusable 100% organic cotton canvas bag
- Yoga mat
- Yoga mat tote
- Pepsi Natural 100% organic cotton canvas hat
All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment below saying how you’d best enjoy Pepsi Natural this summer: In a homemade barbecue sauce? Au naturel at a nudist colony? With some tequila and two squeezes of lime over ice? There are no wrong answers.
I’ll pick the winner (U.S. residents only) and email you to get your physical address so that the goods can be shipped directly to you free of charge. Contest ends Wednesday, August 5 at 8pm (PST). Good luck and happy drinking!
Would love it with a nice scotch/whiskey!
Definately with a homemade barbecue sauce! Gulp!! :)
Definately with a homemade barbecue sauce! Gulp!! :)
I will be using Pepsi Natural in my dad’s recipe to braise ribs. It makes the meat more tender.
You guys are making thirsty AND hungry!
I really love coke, but am a little bit wary of their use of HFCS. I am very interested to see what pepsi natural tastes like!
I’ll use it in my special korean bbq recipe!
this stuff is too good to mix with anything else. i would drink it straight up over some ice at a breezy rooftop lounge overlooking the beautiful beaches of southern california :)
interesting…. could be good
I have tried Natural Pepsi and think it tastes pretty good and is a great idea! Thanks Pepsi for giving some other options… I hope this product is available in other places. Am / Pm, vending machines, fountain machines. That would be GREAT ;-)
I am a Coke gal but would love to try this product while hanging out on the deck!
By the pool, bare bellied, and getting a tan. =)
I would drink it on a yacht in Monaco, then build a tiny ship inside the bottle and give it to a poor child who would grow up to be a master ship builder who specializes in eco-friendly yachts and cruise ships.
best to enjoy a pepsi natural with YOU! wink wink.
or walking through central park. so nice right now.
Drink it out by the pool, perfect! Mm
I love the bench in Will Rogers State Park at the scenic overlook. In the sun taking in the sweeping views of Santa Monica and West LA. In LA’s nature is the perfect place for Pepsi Au Natural.
With Pisco brandy as a Piscola!
Hmmm how would i enjoy my Pepsi Au Natural? with some au natural vanilla ice-cream as an au natural pepsi float! yumm
definitely want to try the taste straight up.
i second that! AND it was delicious~I just made one for my lunch, YUM!!!!!
I’ll drink it over a tall glass of ice!
I would love a natural pepsi after my bikram yoga class . . . hey i could even use the mat. after 90 mins of yoga poses in a 104 degree room a pepsi would be great!!!
mmm, I would love to try it while eating Carne Asada tacos fresh from the grill!
micaela6955 at msn dot com
I would love to have this for by the pool or sitting on my porch as the sun goes down with a nice book. ahhhh!
Roll perfectly ripe lemons on the countertop, then cut into eighths. Take a tall glass and throw in half the lemon slices, then fill with crushed ice . Pour in the Pepsi, then top off with the remaining slices. Use a muddler to get that great lemon peel zest out, and garnish with a lemon twist for extra lemon-cola goodness.
OR
Take a refrigerated, ‘sweaty’ Pepsi Natural from the fridge, google for the nearest nudist colony, and drive there. Pitch a beach chair. Then make a big fuss of getting undressed (this should take at least 1-2 minutes), until you’re left wearing bright denim NeverNude shorts. Then lean back and sip away.
I wanna have a Pepsi Natural and milk. Delicious and nutritious!
Standing alone, on a dimly lit stage, the music building up on a slow and steady crescendo..I’d take a long and refreshing swig before the oh-so-familiar and oh-so-appropriate chorus flashes onto every flatscreen in the karaoke bar: “Youuu make me feeell….youUUUu make me feeel.. YOU make me feel like an (au) natural woman. WOMAN… =)
I have a recipe that is known as “Coca Cola Duck” but I am fairly certain that “Pepsi Natural Duck” will be tastier… if only I had that prize pack so I could provide proof!
The best way to enjoy a Natural Pepsi is over ice with my feet up! Simple and refreshing! They taste delicious!
Pepsi Natural would best be enjoyed in a tall glass full of ice cubes at your cubicle while your coworkers watch jealously. At least, that’s how I would do it. :)Because who gets a real summer vacation anymore? Boo!
On ice with a splash of dark rum, garnish with lime! :)
In a float with a scoop of almond chocolate gelato from Bulgarini. Mmmmmmmm…
I’d sit in a hammock, sip Pepsi Natural and read a book. But an ice cream float sounds nice too. =D
Listening to oldies blasting through the woods; would love to be sitting by my pool, sipping a tall glass with ice, lime and a sprig of Mint. Pepsi Natural Twist served twisting by the pool.
So who won?
I think i would try the barbeque sauce recipe on the site- or maybe tinker with baked beans?
Jim won. Thanks to everyone who participated. I’ll have another contest soon but for something else so better luck next time!
Congrats, Jim, and happy yoga-ing!
I recently stopped drinking soda, and I miss it. I want to know what a great cola tastes like. By itself is fine with me.
I would share the pack with some friends and enjoy it on ice on these hot Texas summer days. A cold Pepsi is always so refreshing! ^_^